Proceeds From Daily Getaways Nashville Auction Monday to be Donated to Relief Efforts and American Express to Match Contribution

May 7, 2010

Washington, DC - Proceeds from Monday’s Daily Getaways auction featuring an opportunity to be “treated like a Nashville star” during the CMA Awards week in November will be donated to support relief efforts through the Nashville Red Cross. American Express will match the highest bid from the auction up to $20,000.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nashville,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, which has coordinated the industrywide Daily Getaways promotion with critical support from American Express. “We certainly want to remind people of the unique experiences Nashville has to offer, but at the same time we want to make a contribution during this challenging time.”

“During this time of need, American Express is proud to make a contribution to help the people of Nashville and support the local relief efforts," said Shane Berry, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Merchant Services.

The Nashville auction featured at DailyGetaways.com on Monday, May 10 from 10 am to 10 pm includes:

• Roundtrip airfare for two on Southwest Airlines;
• Airport limo service;
• Five days/four nights in Renaissance Nashville Hotel concierge level suite;
• Two VIP tickets to the Country Music Association’s 44th Annual CMA Awards Show broadcast sitting where the stars sit;
• Two tickets to the pre-telecast Awards Show reception;
• Hair/manicure/makeup/pedicure for two on CMA show day;
• Dinner for two
• Private tour of celebrity-famous recording studio;
• Complimentary admission to more than 30 of Nashville’s attractions.

Discover America Daily Getaways is a unique one-month promotion available through a specially created website, DailyGetaways.com. Nearly 50 of America's top destinations and travel brands have come together to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences and tremendous values unavailable anywhere else. The promotion by the U.S. Travel Association and sponsored by American Express runs through June 4.

Contact:
Jill Collins 703-716-0925
Lisa Anselmo 212-640-2851

About the U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $704 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel's mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards.

About DiscoverAmerica.com
Discover America, LLC is a wholly owned entity of the U.S. Travel Association and operates DiscoverAmerica.com, the Official Travel and Tourism Website of the United States, for U.S. resident travelers and for international travelers. The international sites were developed under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce in the five leading inbound markets to the United States. The website's content is presently available in five languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese. For more information, visit www.DiscoverAmerica.com.