American Express made the decision to end its travel representative network this year because the way customers are booking travel is changing, according to the company.<\/p>\n
“We’re grateful to our representative network agencies for their collaboration and support of our card members over the years,” American Express said in a statement Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The travel environment has changed and so has the way our customers book travel with us,” the statement continued, “so we’re moving away from a franchise model and discontinuing the U.S. Travel Network at the end of the year.”<\/p>\n
American Express representative agencies were recently made aware of the decision.<\/p>\n
One, Cruise Planners, acknowledged in a message to travel advisors that many questions still remained, but said more would be shared in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Its CEO and co-owner, Michelle Fee, said in a statement that the franchisor has “always been very proud” of its AmEx affiliation. However, Cruise Planners “has evolved into a powerhouse agency in the travel industry.<\/p>\n
“We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership for the past 18 years but look forward to this next chapter of continued growth and exceptional sales,” Fee added.<\/p>\n