The continuing transition to online bookings prompted a 4 percent year-over-year decline in travel commissions and fees for American Express

during the second quarter of 2006, but travel sales increased 5 percent to $5.9 billion. Strong cardholder spending boosted Amex's quarterly income from continuing operations 13 percent to $972 million. Billings on T&E cards rose 13 percent, while spending on all cards worldwide rose 16 percent to $140.5 billion. Amex recorded its strongest quarterly growth of cards in force since 2001--at 11 percent--thanks partly to new issuing partnerships with the likes of Bank of America and Citigroup.