British Airways Joins the American Express Membership Rewards Program

Other Enhancements to the Program include the addition of Alitalia, the introduction of online booking, improved Starwood Preferred Guest ® Program transfer rate and the launch of TripFlex

MARKHAM, ON, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - Amex Bank of Canada announced today that British Airways has joined American Express Membership Rewards as one of the Program's newest points transfer participants.

American Express Cardmembers enrolled in Membership Rewards are now able to transfer their points into BA Miles. BA Miles reward options include travel to any destination in British Airways' worldwide network and with partner and oneworld® alliance airlines.

Membership Rewards is an American Express loyalty program that offers points on your eligible purchases or points for virtually every dollar in purchases charged to the Card. Cardmembers earn points that can be redeemed for a wide selection of rewards experiences - from travel and merchandise to gift cards and concert tickets from over 100 partners and hundreds of leading brands. American Express Gold Rewards Card, Business Gold Rewards Card, Business Platinum Card, Platinum Card and Centurion Cardmembers are automatically enrolled in the Membership Rewards Program.

"British Airways is a terrific addition to the Membership Rewards Program and rounds out our existing network of airline participants" said Marc Pocobelli, Director of Membership Rewards, American Express Canada. "Expanding our Program to include airlines like British Airways means our Cardmembers can redeem for reward flights on more than 50 airlines and helps to ensure we've got a diverse rewards program."

Andrea Burchett, from The Mileage Company, operators of British Airways, BA Miles Rewards said, "We are proud to join with American Express to offer convenient flight options to Cardmembers engaged in the Membership Rewards Program. Joining Amex's program will also give us access to a very loyal and high-end consumer group while giving our existing members even more ways to collect BA Miles."

The Membership Rewards Program has also recently added other benefits including:

Addition of Alitalia - American Express Cardmembers can now transfer their points into Alitalia's MilleMiglia Program with access to 28 destinations in Italy and 51 worldwide.

Improved Starwood Preferred Guest Program Transfer Rate: - As of October 6th, 2010, American Express Cardmembers can receive more Starpoints ®  when they transfer their Membership Rewards points into the Starwood Preferred Guest program. Cardmembers will receive 500 Starpoints for every 1000 Membership Rewards Points they transfer into the program. This has increased from the former rate of 230 Starpoints for every 1000 Membership Rewards Points. Starpoints can be redeemed for free hotel nights at over 1,000 hotels and resorts across 9 distinctive brands and for free flights - all with no blackout dates.

American Express Travel Services: Now Online - As of August 4^th 2010, American Express Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards Program can use their points to book travel using a new online website tool. Cardmembers can opt to pay for their travel with their American Express Card, Membership Rewards Points or a combination of both. www.americanexpress.ca/travel. 

TripFlex from American Express - As of May 2010 Cardmembers enrolled in Membership Rewards can use TripFlex to pay for any travel purchases charged to their Card with points including flights on any airline, hotels, car rentals or vacation packages. Additionally, TripFlex gives Cardmembers the choice to book with a travel agent, tour operator or through our online booking tool. Points can also be used to cover taxes and fees.

About American Express in Canada

American Express in Canada operates as Amex Bank of Canada and Amex Canada Inc. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of the New York based American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., the largest operating unit of the American Express Company. Amex Bank of Canada is the issuer of American Express Cards in Canada. Amex Canada Inc. operates the Corporate Travel, Travel Services Network and Travellers Cheques divisions in Canada. American Express opened its first offices in Toronto and Hamilton in 1853 and now employs 3,700 Canadians coast-to-coast.

Visit American Express Canada on Facebook at www.facebook.com/americanexpresscanada

About British Airways Executive Club and BA Miles

The British Airways Executive Club is a global frequent flyer scheme, with most BA Miles collected by flying with British Airways or oneworld® alliance and partner airlines on selected fares. Scheme members can also top up their miles by purchasing them or collecting on everyday spending and travel. By collecting BA Miles, members can use them for 'reward flights' to any destination in British Airways' worldwide network - and with partner and oneworld® alliance airlines like American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Iberia.

BA Miles can also be used for cabin upgrades to World Traveller Plus, Club Europe, Club World and First. The British Airways Executive Club features a tier system - with members moving between tiers depending on the frequency, cabin class and distance they fly with British Airways. Members can collect miles by staying at selected hotels, using BA Miles' car rental partners and shopping online with over 120 retailers at the BA Miles eStore. For more information visit: www.ba.com.

About The Mileage Company

The Mileage Company, headquartered in the UK with a US operations branch, works with over 200 brands worldwide to drive customer engagement and loyalty with compelling rewards programs. In-depth expertise provided by The Mileage Company includes research and loyalty analytics, customer relationship management (CRM) and loyalty marketing and accounting skills associated with loyalty schemes enabling clients to focus on their core business while rewarding customer loyalty and in turn driving profit and growth. In the last year, four million people have collected or redeemed miles with one of The Mileage Company's schemes, from the global BA Miles currency to UK-based Airmiles.  For more information visit: www.themileagecompany.com

For further information:

Jessica Myers
905-474-8792
[email protected]