American Express and Starwood Hotels Announce New Hotel Benefit for American Express(R) Gold Card Members

"We are always looking for new ways to give Card members more travel choices and add valuable extras that will make their journeys even more memorable," said Christopher Fred, Vice President, Gold Card, American Express. "With the addition of the Starwood Hotel benefit, Gold Card members can now take advantage of added savings at hundreds of hotels every time they book a stay at one of the participating Starwood properties."

"With exhilarating hotel and resort destinations all around the world, we provide travelers with memorable experiences every day," said Chris Austin, Vice President, Global Customer Partnerships, Leisure & Luxury Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resort. "This benefit presents our guests with the opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind dining at our properties, from famed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's gourmet breakfasts at Le Meridien to selections from the SuperFoods menu, such as green-tea-infused salmon and molten dark chocolate cake, served at Westin Hotels & Resorts."

The new Starwood hotel benefit is the latest addition to the lineup of benefits currently offered through the Gold Card Destinations program, which includes special amenities valued at $100-$150 on virtually any trip from American Express Gold Card Destinations travel partners.

Through the Gold Card Destinations program, Card members have access to a wide variety of exclusive, unique travel and entertainment packages that are updated monthly at www.americanexpress.com/goldtravel. The site also includes a listing of participating Starwood properties under the new partnership, which will continue to be updated as new properties are added.

Other Gold Card Destinations benefits include:

-- Upgraded Experiences and Valuable Extras(1) - Card members have access to amenities valued at $100-$150 on virtually any trip, value-added vacation package or cruise from select American Express Gold Tour and Gold Cruise partners. Participating partners include: Abercrombie & Kent, American Express Vacations, Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Classic Vacations, Smithsonian Journeys, Ski.com, Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea, Uniworld and Windstar. Sample amenities include:

-- $100 credit towards lift tickets on qualifying vacations from Ski.com

-- $100 American Express Gift Cheque from American Express Vacations

-- Two monogrammed robes, one bottle of champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries on any American Express Mariner Club(2) sailing with Holland America Line

-- Monthly Featured Offers(1) - Card members have access to a collection of unique, value-enhanced travel packages. New packages are offered monthly. Current offers include:

-- Smithsonian Journeys Arizona -- $100 American Express gift cheque with any qualifying Smithsonian Journeys Southern Arizona Focus on Astronomy tour. Package includes an exclusive visit to Smithsonian's Whipple Observatory and hands-on telescope viewing from dark desert sites. Few places on earth offer better opportunities to study astronomy than the ultra-clear skies of southern Arizona. Plus, Gold Card members receive an additional $100 credit at Smithsonian's online bookstore.

-- Signature California Wine Country -- Book any 2008 Signature California Wine Country journey with Abercrombie & Kent and receive a complimentary lunch for two including a glass of local California wine. Plus, Gold Card members receive a $100 credit to Abercrombie and Kent's online store to buy clothing or accessories for the trip on qualifying vacations.

-- Gold Card Events - Travel(1) - Card members have access to a variety of deluxe vacation packages paired with Gold Card Events tickets to some of the most sought-after events, such as concerts, sporting and other events. This benefit provides Card members with access to some of the best seats, often before they go on sale to the general public. For more information, Card members can view a complete listing of current and upcoming events, and sign up for the Gold Card Events weekly email at www.americanexpress.com/entertainment. Samples of current offers include:

-- Stay two nights at Caesars Palace in fabulous Las Vegas and receive two tickets to see Cher perform live in concert.

-- Attend the prestigious 2008 Ryder Cup Golf event. Accommodations at the Griffin Gate Marriott(R) Resort & Spa. Includes two tickets to Ryder Cup, access to the grounds at Valhalla Golf Club with admission to the fully catered American Express hospitality tent, and transportation between the course and Griffin Gate Marriott(R) Resort & Spa.

-- Additional Savings and Value(1)- Card members booking a Gold Card Destinations vacation package can earn double Membership Rewards(R) points(3) and, when booking a qualifying vacation of $3,000 or more, are eligible to receive the Card member Annual Travel Benefit(4), a $100 statement credit to their Card account.

In addition to current travel offers, the website also provides a variety of travel-related resources and tools that can help Card members with travel planning, including a list of American Express Travel Specialists. On the site, Card members can also sign up to receive the monthly electronic Gold Card Destinations newsletter and view a complete list of all the benefits and services offered on their Gold Card.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Meridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

About American Express Company

American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

1. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply.

2. American Express Mariner's Club benefits include competitive fares, professional and experienced Mariner Club Hosts, unique complimentary shoreside excursions, exclusive onboard cocktail parties and additional amenities including shipboard credits that vary by individual sailings.

3. To be eligible to earn bonus points, Card members must be enrolled in the Membership Rewards program (Program) at time of purchase of vacation package, and must charge their qualifying vacation package to an eligible, enrolled American Express Card. Double Membership Rewards points are awarded on vacation package spend only. Airfare, other purchase and arrangements made during a vacation stay, any charges not included in the vacation package are not eligible for Double Membership Rewards points. Bonus points will be credited to your Program account within 10-12 weeks after completion of travel. For more information on the Program, visit www.americanexpress.com/rewards.

4. A qualifying vacation is a purchase of $3,000 or more per booking offered by a participating cruise or vacation package operator and purchased through a participating American Express Travel Services location in the U.S. Benefit does not include independent air, hotel, or car rental reservations. American Express Card members eligible to receive a $100 statement credit for qualifying vacations of $3,000 or more. Benefit only available to Card members in good standing and one time per Card account per calendar year (regardless of the number of qualifying vacations booked or the number of supplementary Cards on the account). Annual Travel Benefit is considered redeemed in the calendar year in which final payment is made on the qualifying vacation. Card members having multiple accounts may only redeem one Annual Travel Benefit per vacation booking. Both deposit and final payment must be made on an American Express Card. Credit will be posted to Card member's account 10-14 days business days after date of final payment. Card member agrees account may be debited $100 if vacation is cancelled for any reason and the purchase price (less any applicable cancellation fees or penalties) is credited to the account. All amounts in terms and conditions are U.S. dollars. American Express reserves the right to withdraw or alter this benefit at any time without advance notice. Not valid for group bookings and may not be combinable with other promotions or savings.

SOURCE: American Express Company

American Express Company Monica Beaupre, 212-640-2653 monica.beaupre@aexp.com or M.Silver Associates Christopher Dale, 212-754-6500, ext. 224 chris@msilver-pr.com or Starwood Hotels & Resorts Simon Neggers, 914-640-8408 simon.neggers@starwoodhotels.com