American Express packs its bags - TravelMole


American Express packs its bags

Monday, 16 Sep, 2013 0

American Express was of the first companies to use home-based travel agents. Now it’s expanding the program to include everyone.

The nation’s largest physical travel agency (behind only Expedia, the online giant) is pulling the plug on its 20 offices and setting up all its agents to work in their own homes.

The agents will continue to be full-time Amex employees, and the company also has a network of franchised agencies, as well as a call center and website.

All American Express home-based workers are supported by a central office that provides technology, training, marketing and back-office systems.

It’s a sign of the times, of course. American Express, one of the world’s first travel companies, opened its first locations 150 years ago.

It was the largest travel agency in America until Expedia caught up; now the two seesaw back and forth for the top spot.

"That’s the move American Express decided is right for them," says Terry McCabe, SVP and National Director of Leisure at American Express-affiiated Altour of New York. 

Having agents work from home is a good way to keep great people you might otherwise lose, she says, but it has its challenges, too.

"Cross-pollinization is so important in a travel agency. With home-based agents you have to reach out more to educate your staff," McCabe notes. "You need to invest in a platform that will keep them well-connected."

By Cheryl Rosen



 

profileimage

Cheryl



Most Read

Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns

James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel

Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination

Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics

Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy

Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene

Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee

Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail

Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats

Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence

Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy

Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
TRAINING & COMPETITION

Our emails to you has bounced travelmole.com Or You can change your email from your profile Setting Section

Your region selection will be saved in your cookie for future visits. Please enable your cookie for TravelMole.com so this dialog box will not come up again.

Price Based Country test mode enabled for testing United States (US). You should do tests on private browsing mode. Browse in private with Firefox, Chrome and Safari