Universal Travel Wins American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award

Ft. Lauderdale, FL- April 4 (NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Travel announced today that it was named winner of this year's prestigious American Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network Representative Excellence Award. Universal Travel joined the American Express network in 1985 with their sister company Accent Travel located in Austin, TX. American Express is presenting this award to both Accent Travel and Universal Travel.

Universal Travel 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 Universal Travel and other winning agency owners were recognized by American Express with a seven-day trip to Egypt as the guests of American Express and our travel partners from April 12-19, 2007. An award ceremony in Cairo ends the week of Nile cruising, archeological touring and "best business practices" sharing.

"I am pleased to recognize the excellence that Universal Travel has achieved," said Ellen Bettridge, vice president of the U.S. Representative Travel Network. "Universal Travel 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. Universal Travel 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.

Universal Travel is one of Florida's largest full service travel agencies, serving both corporate business customers and a wide variety of leisure customers daily. Sue Ann Slater, the general manager of Universal Travel comments: "It is truly amazing the incredible diversity of travel arranging we manage here at Universal. Our travel professionals have their own areas of specialty who share their expertise and experience with others. Learning is a way of life here at Universal."

The American Express Travel organization provides a rich environment for education, elevating customer service standards and providing information resources that compliment our own internal programs.

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.

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