A new agreement between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the United Kingdom Border Agency will let U.K. citizens participate in the new U.S. global registered traveler entry program this year. The deal is intended "to develop a bilateral pilot program to facilitate travel between the two nations." U.S. CBP in June began piloting at New York's John F. Kennedy International, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental and Washington Dulles International airports a voluntary expedited entry process for U.S. travelers willing to pay a $100 application fee, submit to a background check and provide biometric data. "We look forward to extending the benefits of expedited and automated CBP processing to low-risk British travelers, while providing reciprocal benefits for U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom," CBP commissioner W. Ralph Basham said.
Amex Card Customers To Get Rearden Mobile AppAmerican Express Global Commercial Card in June announced the launch of a Rearden Commerce mobile application for its largest commercial card clients using the Rearden-based American Express Intelligent Online Marketplace. American Express Anywhere gives users access to travel itineraries, alerts and weather and other information. Later this year, Rearden plans to add such ancillary services as restaurant and off-airport parking reservations, said vice president of product marketing Dan Ford. American Express Anywhere is available for free to cardholders and will come to the United Kingdom in 2009.
Settlement Nets American Express More Than $4BAmerican Express will receive more than $4 billion to fuel business investment over the next several years as the result of the final settlement of an almost four-year-old conspiracy lawsuit against MasterCard, Visa and their member banks, alleging they blocked American Express from having bank-issued cards in the United States. The company in late June reached an agreement with MasterCard worldwide for a $1.8 billion settlement to be paid quarterly over the next three years. It followed a $2.25 billion settlement reached with Visa late last year
(BTNonline, Nov. 19, 2007), after which the banks were dropped as defendants. Chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault said American Express will use the largest antitrust settlement in U.S. history to step up investments and as a cushion as the economy weakens.
Eurostar Focusing On U.S. Corporate BusinessLondon-based rail company Eurostar in July is planning to introduce a corporate program aimed at U.S. travel management companies, and establish a U.S.-based corporate sales office in September. Eurostar also will offer e-ticketing in July and by 2009 will interline e-ticketing with U.S.-based air carriers, allowing air and rail on the same PNR.
HRG Helps UAE Partner To Largest Single ShareUnited Arab Emirates-based Dnata on June 27 bought a 19.99 percent stake in its partner Hogg Robinson Group, surpassing BCD owner John Fentener van Vlissingen as HRG's largest single shareholder. Travel management company Dnata, part of travel services conglomerate the Emirates Group, is HRG's Middle Eastern partner. Dnata said "it has no intention of making a formal offer for Hogg Robinson. Dnata intends to be a long-term, supportive shareholder in Hogg Robinson." Dnata bought more than 61 million shares at the more than 40-pence trading price.