American Express today announced that Cardmembers enrolled in its
Membership Rewards program can now redeem points with Space Adventures
Ltd., the world’s leading space flight experiences and space tourism
company. For the first time, Cardmembers can touch the edge of space and
revel in the weightlessness of Earth’s orbit by using points to get there,
adding to the universe of already abundant experiences Membership Rewards
enrollees can enjoy.
“Space Adventures is the latest of many unique experiences we offer to
fuel our enrollees’ imaginations and prompt our Cardmembers to ask not
just what they can do with points, but how far they can go with them,”
said Chris Lynch, vice president, Rewards Management at American Express.
“Without dipping into their wallets, Cardmembers can redeem for an almost
limitless number of things—like a journey to the cusp of space or a
rejuvenating day at a luxurious spa—and use points to cover the costs.”

American Express is offering three Space Adventures packages to enrollees
who wish to experience the sights and sensations of space travel:

* Zero-Gravity Flight (1,000,000 points): Experience weightlessness by
traveling in a specially out fitted jet aircraft used for training
astronauts and testing equipment in a weightless environment * Edge of
Space Flight (3,000,000 points): Fly in a MiG-25 supersonic jet at up to
two-and-one-half times the speed of sound (Mach 2.5) and above 80,000
feet, where one can see the curvature of the Earth and the blackness of
space * Sub-Orbital Space Flight (20,000,000 points): Reserve your seat
now for a ride aboard a sub-orbital spacecraft that will climb to an
altitude of 62 miles, expose you to experience several minutes of
weightlessness and treat you to Earth views from space

Operations are based at various space and aviation facilities around the
world, including the formerly top-secret Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training
Center in Star City, Russia; and packages include accommodations, as well
as tours and onsite training.

“We are very excited to offer our space experiences programs through
American Express. Our mission at Space Adventures is to open the space
frontier to private citizens. With this partnership, we’re doing just
that,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. “There
are few things that are more exhilarating than the feeling of
weightlessness or seeing the curvature of Earth and the blackness of space
while traveling at two times the speed of sound.”

More Experiences Redeemable with Membership Rewards Points

The country’s largest card-based rewards program, the Membership Rewards
program includes hundreds of shopping, entertainment and retail rewards
for more than 5 million U.S. enrollees. The program allows Cardmembers to
earn one point for virtually every dollar charged on eligible, enrolled
American Express(R) Cards. Cards linked to rewards can deliver double
bonus points for purchases in “Everyday Spend” categories—supermarkets,
gas stations, drug stores, the U.S. Postal Service and wireless phone
payments—to accelerate point earnings.(1)

Through Your Reward(R), a feature available to all Membership Rewards
enrollees, Cardmembers can also create their own unique redemption
packages, or choose from a number of pre-built packages that include rock
climbing excursions, polo instruction and in-home gourmet cooking
instruction from a personal chef.(2)

Visit http://www.americanexpress.com/membershiprewards for a complete list
of Membership Rewards benefits, or call 1-800-AXP-EARN to redeem points.

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.

Space Adventures, the world’s leading space flight experiences and space
tourism company, offers a wide range of programs, from Zero-Gravity and
Edge of Space flights, cosmonaut training and space flight qualification
programs, to reservations on future sub-orbital spacecraft. Headquartered
in Arlington, Va., with an office in Moscow, Space Adventures is the only
company to have successfully launched private individuals to the
International Space Station. The company’s advisory board comprises Apollo
11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin; shuttle astronauts Kathy Thornton, Robert
(Hoot) Gibson, Charles Walker, Norm Thagard, Sam Durrance and Byron
Lichtenberg; and Skylab astronaut Owen Garriott. Please visit
http://www.spaceadventures.com/.
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