WASHINGTON - June 18, 2002 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) and American Express (NYSE:AXP) today announced that, as a special introductory offer for Marriott`s new weekend Escape! packages, guests of participating Marriott and Renaissance hotels in the United States and Canada will receive a special $25 per night per room hotel dining credit when they book and pay for a Marriott Escape! package with an American Express Card from June 15 - Sept. 2, 2002. The hotel dining credit can be used for lunch or dinner at the hotels` restaurants, lounges or room service.*

In addition to overnight accommodations, Marriott`s new weekend Escape! packages may include such offerings as tickets to a major league baseball game or other sports event; shopping gift certificates to leading brand-name retail stores; tickets to the theater, museums or family attractions such as Six Flags® theme parks; tours of historic parks; a round of golf at a championship golf course or world-class spa treatments. Each of more than 300 participating hotels will have unique guest offerings, which may include up to five types of Marriott Escape! packages—“Romance,” “Culture & Events,” “Spa,” “Sports,” and “Family.” Travelers looking for suggestions can visit www.marriott.com/escape for a select group of packages spotlighted each month or use the directory to search by package type, destination and dates.

“Today`s travelers literally want to escape from their day-to-day busy routines, but have precious little time to actually plan a short getaway,” said Michael Lacorazza, vice president of marketing program development, Marriott International. “Marriott’s Escape! packages make it easy to choose an ideal weekend trip, whether our guests want to relax, see a show, enjoy time with a special loved one, or spend more quality time with family. With less to arrange, travelers have more time to look forward to and enjoy their weekend vacation.”

“More than 60 percent of travelers surveyed for our 2002 American Express Leisure Travel Index said they are planning at least one weekend getaway this year, with the average number of such trips at four, up from three in 2001,” said Elizabeth Cohen, vice president, lodging industry, American Express. “The $25 dining credit at Marriott and Renaissance hotels provides our Cardmembers with a nice value when they take a weekend getaway this summer.”

All of the following Escape! packages include a $25 per night per room dining credit redeemable at the hotel`s restaurants, lounges or through room service for those who book and pay with an American Express card until Sept. 2:

Romance: Escape to the city that never sleeps! The Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square invites guests to enjoy a romantic stay complete with champagne and strawberries, a deluxe room in the heart of the theater district, full breakfast and dinner each day. With your $25 per night hotel dining credit, you can enjoy the one-of-a-kind view from Foley`s Restaurant & Bar or in the intimate setting of your own guestroom.

Spa: Escape to the relaxation of the Southwest’s Sonoran Desert at Camelback Inn, Marriott Resort Golf Club & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit at the resort`s 27,000 sq.-ft world-class spa. Guests can select any one-hour spa treatment or salon service, many of which use natural ingredients indigenous to the area. This per person, per day spa offering includes use of a state-of-the-art fitness room, aerobic classes, sauna and three heated pools. Guests can relax in a spacious southwestern-designed guestroom and enjoy breakfast or lunch—as well as the additional benefit of a $25 resort dining credit—in any of the resort`s restaurants or lounges, including the spa`s Sprouts Restaurant, featuring light southwestern-style fare.

Family: Escape to fun at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest and Atlanta Six Flags! This featured package includes one-night accommodations, buffet breakfast for two, $25 hotel dining credit and two tickets to Six Flags, with additional tickets available for purchase at the hotel.

Culture & Events: Escape to explore the nation`s capital and its rich history when you stay at Marriott and Renaissance hotels in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to deluxe accommodations and the $25 hotel dining credit, guests will receive four one-day Metro rail passes per night and a 96-page Marriott guide to the District`s neighborhoods and places-to-see. This custom guide caters to a wide range of interests including the Civil War, historic homes, African-American heritage, children`s attractions and beautiful parks and gardens. All suggested attractions are easily accessible and within walking distance of the Metro`s convenient stops.

Sports: Escape to the links to enjoy the Orlando World Center Marriott`s beautiful Hawk`s Landing Golf Course. This featured package includes a round of golf for two people, a room with a view of the resort`s lush pool area and a $25 hotel dining credit, which can be enjoyed at any of the resort`s numerous restaurants, including Tuscany`s for Italian cuisine or Mikado`s for Japanese.

To book a Marriott Escape! package and receive a $25 per night hotel dining credit when you use your American Express Card, visit www.marriott.com/escape or, if you prefer, call your travel agent, or call Marriott toll free at 1-866-529-2225.

*Escape! packages available at participating locations in the U.S. and Canada. A limited number of packages are available. Package offer and rates may vary by location. Offer not available to groups of ten rooms or more, or with other promotional offers. Payment must be made with an American Express Card to qualify for offer. Dining credit: charged to guest room folio; is redeemable only at the hotel where you are staying; is applied per night per room and can only be used toward one meal (lunch or dinner); cannot be accrued to the following day; cannot be applied towards alcoholic beverages or gratuities; is not redeemable for cash.

AMERICAN EXPRESS entered the travel agency business in 1915 and today is one of the world`s largest travel agencies. The company has more than 1,700 Travel Services locations worldwide in more than 130 countries. American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel and financial services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, investment products, insurance and international and online banking. For more information on American Express, visit our web site at www.americanexpress.com.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR), a leading worldwide hospitality company celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2002, has nearly 2,600 operating units in the United States and 64 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 142,500 employees. In fiscal year 2001, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $20 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
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