American Express News
American Express Global Business Travel to acquire KDS
American Express Global Business Travel has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire KDS, a global provider of integrated travel technology. Headquartered in France, KDS has operations in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. The acquisition of KDS is part of a broader investment strategy by GBT to develop an industry-leading suite of traveller-centric online and digital services, sitting on top of the company’s core technology platform for business travellers.
Anderson to take charge at American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel today announced Doug Anderson joins the company as chief executive, effective immediately. Anderson was replaced as president of Carlson Wagonlit Travel earlier this year by Travelport veteran Kurt Ekert.
American Express Global Business Travel launches Premier Insights
American Express Global Business Travel has announced the launch of Premier Insights, a data visualisation tool, which provides companies and their travel managers with a complete view of their travel programme to drive greater efficiencies, improvements and savings. The tool integrates American Express Corporate Cards and travel booking data into a single platform, providing companies and their travel managers with access to a comprehensive, single-source view of their entire travel programme.
Travel management giants sign on with Airbnb for Business
Airbnb for Business has announced three new partnerships with leading travel management companies - American Express Global Business Travel, BCD, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. The deal is viewed by the company as a significant milestone for Airbnb’s business travel programme, which has seen growing momentum in the corporate travel space.
New leadership for American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel has appointed Pauline Houston as global director of hotel community, based in the United Kingdom. In this role, Houston is responsible for the management of the hotel community team and for leading American Express’ hotel value proposition, development and delivery.
American Express Global Business records uptick in travel spending
American Express Global Business Travel has announced the results of its 2015 EVP Barometer. The results show that business travel spending increased by 1.42 per cent in 2015, more than twice the rise anticipated in the 2014 Barometer. In addition, “safety and security” has overtaken “cost control” to be the number one priority of company executives when considering business travel.
New senior leadership for American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel has announced the appointment of Johan Persson as director of account management, United Kingdom. In this role, Persson will be responsible for leading American Express’ UK account management teams and customer strategy, as well as serving as a key member of the UK management team.
American Express Global Business Travel signs Carlsberg as latest client
American Express Global Business Travel today revealed it has been selected to provide travel management services to the Carlsberg Group, the fourth largest brewery in the world, with a presence in 150 markets and with 45,000 employees globally. GBT will provide the Carlsberg Group with a comprehensive travel management programme.
American Express Global Business Travel retains BBC account
American Express Global Business Travel has announced that it has been retained by the BBC as its corporate travel service provider after working with the broadcasting body for more than 11 years. “We are delighted that the strength of our offering has been recognised by the BBC and we look forward to our ongoing partnership,” said Elyes Mrad, managing director, EMEA, American Express Global Business Travel.
American Express Global Business Travel appoints marketing leadership
American Express Global Business Travel has appointed Cindy Allen to the role of chief marketing officer. In this role, Allen will oversee the company’s brand positioning, marketing, product marketing and corporate communications and industry relations functions on a global level. She will report to GBT’s chief strategy officer, Steve Curts.
American Express Global Business Travel appoints UK leadership
American Express Global Business Travel has announced the appointment of Jason Geall as vice president and General Manager for the United Kingdom. In this role, Geall will be responsible for GBT’s growth and development across the UK.
Breaking Travel News interview: Elyes Mrad, MD, EMEA, American Express Global Business Travel
With business travellers able to book flights in moments on mobile devices, it seems the end could be in sight for travel management companies. No so, argues Elyes Mrad, managing director, EMEA, American Express Global Business Travel. Business is set to boom as an ever more interconnect global economy see travellers come to rely on the partners they trust to get them to their destinations safely. He Breaking Travel News takes a look at what the future might hold.