Amex, Air Canada Target Smaller Corps.American Express, Bank of Canada and Aeroplan last week launched a co-branded commercial card that gives small and midmarket companies based in Canada up to a 4 percent annual rebate on Air Canada purchases. The companies said the card also can garner up to 5 percent in rebates with such partners as Budget Rent A Car Corp., Conference Plus, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels of Canada, among others. "The key is not just that small businesses are looking for a benefit for their air spend. They want a package of products," said Jack Wallis, Air Canada director of corporate sales. The American Express AeroplanPlus Corporate Card also gives companies the expense management and account maintenance capabilities of Amex's midmarket offering. The card also can earn cardholders Aeroplan rewards, through which every $2 spent yields one Aeroplan mile. Amex and American Airlines last year launched a similar card in the United States (BTN, June 23, 2003). The commercial card giant since has partnered on midmarket cards in other countries with Qantas, Air France and KLM.
KDS Touts End-To-End SolutionFrance-based KDS last month launched the latest version of its travel management tool, touting integration capabilities between its booking and expense reporting modules. With the release of KDS Corporate 5.6, the vendor is boasting an "end-to-end solution" for travel managers "from travel planning, approval and online booking to capture and reimbursement of related expense reports," the company said in a statement. KDS said its tool delivers "real-time" MIS reporting on T&E expenses regardless of whether trips are booked through its tool or through a company's travel agency. Through the company's PNR Sync engine, online and offline bookings alike are flown into the expense reporting module. Despite vendor attempts to push the issue with new products, end-to-end travel solutions have been met with much skepticism and little usage
(BTN, April 28, 2003). "It's technology that everyone's been hoping for, but even for those who supposedly have it, we don't see anybody using it," said Carol Salcito, president of consulting firm Management Alternatives.
Southwest, Visa Offer Co-Branded CardSouthwest Airlines and Bank One this month introduced two co-branded Visa cards, including a consumer offering and the Rapid Rewards Business card for small businesses. The business card can earn small companies "of all sizes" two reward dollars for every $1 spent on the card on Southwest, as well as one reward dollar for every other dollar spent on the card. The business card offers a credit line of up to $100,000, and the companies will waive a fee for additional cards to give to employees. The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Business card also includes all the features of Visa's standard small-business offering, including online account management, Web-based reporting and the capability to download into financial reporting systems.
Visa Int'l Announces New CEOVisa International this month announced it has named Christopher Rodrigues president and CEO, effective June 1. Current group chief executive of U.K-based financial services firm Bradford & Bingley, Rodrigues has held the position of CEO at leisure travel service provider Thomas Cook and a senior management position at American Express. Rodrigues replaces Malcolm Williamson, who retired late last month after five years of heading the card association. Upon Williamson's retirement, Visa named its board chairman William Boardman as interim CEO until Rodrigues takes the helm.