American Express Travelers Cheques Offer Extra Financial Security as Part of Hurricane Preparedness Kits

NEW YORK,- With the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season to begin June 1, coastal residents in the southeast and Gulf states will embark on annual contingency planning to prepare for uncertain conditions they may encounter in the aftermath of a major storm.

In addition to keeping a first-aid kit, an ample supply of canned goods, plenty of bottled water, and other essentials, a diversified “emergency wallet” that includes American Express Travelers Cheques provides an extra measure of financial safety and security. Keeping Travelers Cheques and a supply of cash in small bills offers storm victims payment options to make necessary purchases. Travelers Cheques never expire, so they provide a secure payment method whenever emergencies occur. Unlike cash, they are refundable if lost or stolen.

For 116 years, travelers have carried American Express® Travelers Cheques with the confidence that they can be replaced quickly and easily. Many people, particularly in some international countries, have long recognized that keeping Travelers Cheques at home is a safer alternative than cash. American Express Travelers Cheques are available at banks, credit unions and American Express Travel service locations across the Gulf coast and Southeast regions. For more information, visit www.americanexpress.com/travelerscheques.

American Express has a long tradition of working closely with disaster relief organizations across the country, and a history of helping customers, employees and communities cope with emergencies such as hurricanes. For many years, the company has contributed to disaster relief efforts across the country.

American Express also provides hurricane preparation information and resources to its employees in Florida. An internal company website centralizes emergency management, utility and disaster relief organizations’ phone numbers, links to other sources of emergency information, as well as a list of items that should be on hand in the case of an emergency.

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