DENVER & FORT WORTH, Texas, Sep 20, 2005 -- American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), the world`s largest airline, has signed an agreement with Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), to accept payment for airfare in cash at over 46,000 U.S.-based Western Union locations after tickets are reserved online at www.aa.com or by phone with American Airlines reservation representatives. The service is available to consumers immediately.
According to research, approximately 50 million adults in the U.S. do not have credit cards(1), and this new payment option provides customers with another alternative to pay for travel. In fact, a recent report found that 32 percent of consumers simply prefer to pay for major travel expenses with cash or check(2).
American`s ability to accept cash payments through Western Union is another step in a series of moves by the company to make its AA.com® Web site the preferred place for customers to do business and enhance the services of its reservations employees. The agreement reflects American`s continued focus on the customer, and provides another payment option for customers who purchase travel directly from the airline.
"We`re pleased to offer our customers another choice in how to pay for their tickets and to provide them with the option of paying with cash at Western Union," said Bella Goren, American`s Vice-President of Interactive Marketing and Reservations. "We know that our customers value options, and by facilitating a cash-payment alternative, we are making it more convenient for customers to book their travel on our AA.com site or with American`s reservations specialists."
"Our main goal within the airline industry is to provide carriers with the ability to make it easier and more convenient for their travelers to purchase airline tickets," said Joe Jackson, President, Western Union Payment Services. "Western Union ensures that American`s cash-paying travelers can pay with ease and convenience at a Western Union Agent location."
The agreement gives more options for customers to do business with American and Western Union. The service is available for a Western Union service fee of $14.95.
About Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and First Data
First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. The company`s portfolio of services and solutions includes credit, debit, private-label, smart and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; money transfer services; money orders; fraud protection and authentication solutions; check guarantee and verification services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile solutions. Western Union and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world`s largest money transfer networks with approximately 233,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. The company`s STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.7 million ATM and retail locations. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world`s largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® regional airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,800 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American`s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(SM) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR). Source:
(1) The Pelorus Group`s study "Stored Value: 21st Century Currency" 2004
(2) Roper Reports 03-02; 41D
CONTACTS:
Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
Sherry Johnson
303-967-8348
sherry.l.johnson@firstdatacorp.com
Schenkein
Sarah West
303-672-4318
swest@schenkein.com
American Airlines
Billy Sanez
817-967-1577
corp.comm@aa.com
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