United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Amex row with BA is “dangerous”, says rival
American Express’s bid to end its merchant fee agreement with British Airways is a “dangerous proposition”, according to one senior travel management source.
BA has filed a lawsuit in the US aimed at stopping Amex from cancelling its agreement with the airline. Amex is seeking to terminate the relationship following BA’s decision – implemented on June 1 – to stop absorbing the merchant fee on corporate net rates in the UK.
One senior travel management figure said the importance of Amex’s card business was leading it to act against BA in the travel arena, when the two issues should be kept separate. He said: If you are a corporate company dealing with Amex can you be sure you are getting a non-biased travel management service? Personally I think it’s a dangerous proposition.”
An American Express spokeswoman said the current legal situation meant the travel management firm was unable to comment on the claims.
Amex is already charging its corporate clients a 2% handling fee on BA corporate net fares in the UK following the airline’s decision to stop absorbing the merchant fee on discounted corporate fares. Other business travel agencies are expected to follow suit and also pass on the cost to their clients.
See our previous story:
13 Feb 2002: BA cuts Fresh Approach payments
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
Scammed passenger goes on airport rampage
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
The Northern Lights in Fairbanks