Amex Offers Travel Agencies Lower-Cost Membership Option

American Express Consumer Travel is rolling out a new two-tiered platform designed to allow travel agencies to use many of its tools without becoming franchisees.

The company said on Tuesday that the American Express Representative Network—the existing group of franchisees who provide travel services to Amex card holders—will remain in place; its members will be known as American Express Travel Representatives.

They will be joined by a new group, using the Travel Associate Platform. They will not have access to all the lead-generation and marketing programs offered to franchisees, and they will pay a lower fee.