AMERICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCES eCLIPSE ADVISORS WILL CONTINUE AS INDEPENDENT TRAVEL PROCUREMENT SERVICES BUSINESS American Express Also Merges Its Consulting Group With eCLIPSE, Further Strengthening eCLIPSE?s Industry-Leading Travel Procurement Offering New York -- American Express Corporate Travel announced today that it will continue to operate eCLIPSE Advisors as an independent business, which will now incorporate American Express? Consulting group. eCLIPSE Advisors, the industry?s leading global travel procurement solution provider, was acquired in the purchase of Rosenbluth International. eCLIPSE currently offers travel sourcing and procurement expertise in the areas of airline, hotel and car rental, and assists Fortune 1000 companies in managing in excess of $3 billion in travel expenditures. American Express will offer the eCLIPSE suite of products and services to its current and prospective clients, and eCLIPSE will continue to offer its solution set to any corporation seeking to more effectively manage and reduce its total cost of travel. eCLIPSE will continue to function independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express. ?American Express is proud to offer the travel procurement services of eCLIPSE Advisors to corporate clients globally,? said Pamela Arway, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Corporate Travel North America, American Express. ?The success of eCLIPSE Advisors to date demonstrates that corporations find their solutions and expertise to be among the best in the industry and central to the effective management of their corporate travel spend.? As a result of the integration, eCLIPSE Advisors will be better positioned to offer DACODA, its patented airline procurement service, along with various other products and services to all American Express clients globally. Through its relationship with American Express, eCLIPSE Advisors will benefit from the global reach, extensive relationships, benchmarking and reporting capabilities, and consulting practices that are core to American Express. ?American Express? decision to continue the operations of eCLIPSE Advisors illustrates the stated objective of the American Express/Rosenbluth International integration team?combine the best-in-class features of both companies and ultimately, offer the most compelling and comprehensive solution in the marketplace,? said Michael Boult, COO, eCLIPSE Advisors. ?We believe that American Express offers the most dynamic travel management solution in the industry, and are delighted to be part of a growing business that is driving change in the travel industry.? Effective immediately, eCLIPSE Advisors? travel procurement services are available for consideration by all American Express corporate travel clients in all global markets. About American Express American Express is the largest travel management company in North America and worldwide, and it is one of the world?s largest travel agencies, recording worldwide travel volume of $16 billion in 2003. Through its Global Corporate Services business, the company counts nearly 70 percent of the Fortune 500, along with tens of thousands of mid-sized and small companies as customers of its Corporate Travel, Corporate Card and/or Corporate Purchasing Solutions. American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, business services, insurance and international banking. About eCLIPSE Advisors eCLIPSE Advisors is a leading travel procurement solutions provider for corporations, airlines, hotels and travel agencies with operations in USA, Europe, Asia-Pacific and South Africa. eCLIPSE Advisors currently manages in excess of $3 billion in airline, car rental and hotel expenditures for Fortune 1000 Corporations. eCLIPSE Advisors is recognized for developing and enhancing the capabilities of travel procurement worldwide. For additional information about eCLIPSE Advisors, visit www.eclipseadvisors.com _________________________________________________________________ Free up your inbox with MSN Hotmail Extra Storage. Multiple plans available. http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200362ave/direct/01/