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Carlson Wagonlit Travel Accepts UATP; Offers Businesses Increased Options WASHINGTON, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), a global leader in business travel management, is the newest UATP Merchant in the United States, expanding upon the merchant relationship CWT previously established with UATP in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the United States, CWT now accepts all UATP cards as form of payment for both airline tickets and transaction fees. In March, a major CWT corporate client was implemented in the United States, using the UATP-based AirPlus Company Account. This payment method is now available to the entire CWT U.S. client base. UATP cards continue to be accepted by CWT in Canada and Latin America for airline tickets on over 200 airlines. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040318/UATPLOGO ) As a UATP Merchant, CWT clients are now able to pay for and track all service fees and airfares charged on their UATP account. CWT will receive detailed data from UATP's Acquirer Network that itemizes each element charged to a customer's UATP account. This valuable business information will be provided to CWT's corporate customers for accurate reconciliation of service fees and expenses. CWT maintains operations in more than 140 countries and has more than 50,000 clients worldwide, with one of the most extensive travel networks in the world and annual sales in excess of USD 19 billion. "It is important that we are continually enabling corporations to maximize their travel budgets, while offering quality services for travelers," stated Matt Beatty, vice president, Industry Relations, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. "By accepting UATP and the AirPlus Company Account, we will offer corporations a full range of service options, while delivering great customer service." "Lowering the cost of credit cards with UATP-based payment options adds a competitive tool to CWT's global travel management arsenal," said Ralph Kaiser, president and CEO, UATP. "Businesses will get exceptional CWT service and no longer pay foreign exchange fees for purchases on their UATP accounts." AirPlus is the largest issuer of UATP business travel accounts. The decision to accept the UATP-based AirPlus Company Account follows the strong market share of UATP-based accounts in Europe. "AirPlus is pleased that CWT customers can now take advantage of AirPlus' tailor-made and feature rich solutions," said Richard Crum, AirPlus International president and CEO. "AirPlus products will give CWT's customers another way to customize their travel programs through AirPlus' detailed billing data, electronic invoicing and online management information." About UATP UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel by more than 200 airlines worldwide. UATP accounts are issued by these airlines: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), Austrian Airlines, Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), Japan Airlines (OTC:JALSY) (BULLETIN BOARD: JALSY) , Qantas Airways, Ltd., Scandinavian Airlines System, United Airlines (OTC:UALAQ) (BULLETIN BOARD: UALAQ) , US Airways (OTC:UAIRQ.OB) (BULLETIN BOARD: UAIRQ.OB) , and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways (NYSE:BAB), Lufthansa German Airlines, Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ:NWAC), Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL). About Carlson Wagonlit Travel Carlson Wagonlit Travel is a world leader in business travel management partnering with large corporations, small- and medium-sized companies, and government institutions. CWT designs and implements superior travel management programs for clients based upon its recognized consulting expertise, strong purchasing power, technological prowess, and consistent delivery of high- quality service. CWT has operations in more than 140 countries and services 60 of the companies named to FORTUNE magazine's Global 100. Annual sales of $19 USD billion are generated under the Carlson Wagonlit Travel brand. The company is co-owned by Paris-based Accor group and Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies. For more information, visit http://www.carlsonwagonlit.com/. About AirPlus International AirPlus International is a global leader in business travel payment solutions, offering central payment accounts, corporate cards and online management information tools. AirPlus is the preferred payment partner of Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL), Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ:NWAC). British Airways (NYSE:BAB), Lufthansa German Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines and TAP Portugal. AirPlus is the largest UATP Issuer. For more information, visit http://www.airplus.com/. CONTACT: Wendy Ward of UATP, +1-202-626-4077. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040318/UATPLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: UATP CONTACT: Wendy Ward of UATP, +1-202-626-4077 Web site: http://www.uatp.com/ http://www.airplus.com/ http://www.carlsonwagonlit.com/

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