AMERICA'S VACATION CENTER WINS AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL REPRESENTATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD

San Diego — April 05, 2006 — America's Vacation Center announced today that it was named winner of this year’s prestigious American Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network (CTN) Representative Excellence Award. America's Vacation Center joined the American Express network in 1987 and because of their commitment to customer service has won the award every year that they have been part of the network. America's Vacation Center is one of only 27 members of the American Express U.S. Representative Travel Network to receive the award, which recognizes strong performance in sales and customer service. The owners of America's Vacation Center and other winning agency owners will be recognized by American Express with a seven-day trip to Prague and Vienna as the guests of the The Intercontinental Praha, June 14-17, and of The Intercontinental Wein, June 17-20.

"I am pleased to recognize the excellence that America's Vacation Center has achieved," said Ellen Bettridge, vice president of the U.S. Representative Travel Network. "America's Vacation Center worked hard and delivered extraordinary results. They are a great representative of the American Express brand."

The Representative Excellence Award honors the accomplishments of outstanding members of the Representative Travel Network who have been exemplary supporters of the American Express brand. America's Vacation Center has achieved superior sales results, driving cruise and tour supplier goals and was among the top agencies in highest year-over-year sales growth. American Express’ cruise and tour suppliers are among the most respected names in the travel industry known for providing excellent customer service and travel experiences.

"Our partnership with American Express allows us to offer our customers incredible prices and unparalleled customer service," said Brad Anderson, co-president of America's Vacation Center. "With travel and foreign exchange services locations open to the public in more than 130 countries, we know our customers are supported in their travels worldwide."

America's Vacation Center is one of the nation's largest travel agencies, having served more than 500,000 customers and currently booking travel for thousands of customers every week. Consumers looking to book their next vacation with America's Vacation Center can speak with a Personal Vacation Planner by calling (800) 646-4319 or book online at www.AmericasVacationCenter.com.

As a host agency with travel agents working as independent contractors across North America, America's Vacation Center is leading the home-based revolutionTM. Using the world-class technology and support systems from America's Vacation Center, these travel agents are able to be more successful than ever before. As America's leading host agencyTM, America's Vacation Center's is the first host agency to offer Live LeadsTM — customer inquiries sent via phone and the Internet directly to home-based independent contractors. Travel agents looking for more information on how America's Vacation Center can help them grow their own travel businesses should visit www.JoinAVC.com.

American Express entered the travel agency business in 1915 and today is one of the world's largest travel agency networks. The company has more than 2,200* travel and foreign exchange services locations worldwide in more than 140 countries. American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel network and financial services provider founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, and international banking. For more information, visit www.americanexpress.com.


Contact: Evan Rutledge Monica Beaupre
America's Vacation Center American Express
760-233-7630 ext. 267 212-640-2653

* Not all services available at all locations and subject to local laws and cash availability.

About America's Vacation Center
With more than 40 years of experience and a half-million customers served, America's Vacation Center® (www.AmericasVacationCenter.com) is one of the top travel agencies in the American Express Travel Service Representative Network. America's Vacation Center is a leading seller of cruises and vacation packages from leading suppliers such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Crystal Cruises, Classic Vacations, and more. With hundreds of independent contractors, America's Vacation Center is America's Leading Host AgencyTM (www.JoinAVC.com), providing technology, support, and Live LeadsTM to travel agents across North America.