American Express Global Business Travel Acquires KDS, Global Provider of Integrated Travel SaaS Technology

NEW YORK & PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) today announced it has
signed an agreement to acquire KDS, a global provider of integrated
travel technology. Headquartered in France, KDS has operations in the
United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.

The acquisition of KDS is part of a broader investment strategy by GBT
to develop an industry-leading suite of traveler-centric online and
digital services, sitting on top of the company’s core technology
platform for business travelers.

GBT’s Chief Commercial and Technology Officer Philippe Chereque said:
“We are bringing together an industry-leading online solution and travel
management company to create the first seamless end-to-end experience
centered on the modern business traveler. This will also enable us to
provide GBT customers with a proprietary door-to-door online booking
tool (OBT) supported by our new technology infrastructure.”

KDS’ leading product is Neo. The July 2016 version combines all the
functionality of the original OBT (multi-leg, group and offline booking,
reporting), as well as door-to-door, single-click booking and a mobile
travel app, in a unified, consumer-grade user interface. The
highly-interactive platform drives high adoption rates and provides rich
content, easy-to-understand budget information and policy alignment.

Dean Forbes, CEO of KDS, said: “KDS is a leading integrated travel
technology provider with a deserved reputation for innovation and an
entrepreneurial DNA. We have the best team challenging the status quo
and creating game-changing technology. Our focus is on driving adoption
to deliver savings, productivity gains and spend control for businesses
of all sizes. We look forward to leveraging the support and assets that
GBT will provide us to better serve GBT customers, whilst also
continuing to serve our existing customers and partners with great
products and services.”

GBT’s Chereque added: “As a part of GBT, KDS will have access to a
strong brand, significant resources, broad geographic reach and a large
global customer base. This will open up new possibilities for both
businesses, and allow us to provide KDS’ innovation to more companies
than ever before. Together, GBT and KDS can provide more powerful,
user-friendly and seamless end-to-end solutions to more customers,
mastering the online and offline experiences in one package.”

American Express Global Business Travel will continue to work with and
support other OBTs across global marketplaces.

The KDS acquisition reflects GBT’s commitment since the joint venture
two years ago to build out product and technology solutions globally.
GBT has intensified its focus on digital business traveler tools,
including the recent launch of a proprietary mobile app, and
acquisitions including SMT to further broaden GBT’s footprint and scope.
Founded in 1994, KDS has spent more than 20 years innovating integrated
travel technology, developing industry-leading and award-winning
cloud-based solutions for the modern business traveler.

GBT plans to close the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2016.

About American Express Global Business Travel

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) equips companies of all
sizes with the insights, tools, services and expertise they need to keep
their travelers safe, focused and productive while on the road. With
approximately 12,000 employees and operations in nearly 120 countries
worldwide, GBT empowers customers to take control of their travel
programs, optimizing the return on their travel and meetings
investments, while, more importantly, providing extraordinary traveler
care.

Learn more at amexglobalbusinesstravel.com and amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/.
Follow us @ twitter.com/amexgbt.

American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) is a joint venture that
is not wholly-owned by American Express Company or any of its
subsidiaries (“American Express”). “American Express Global Business
Travel”, “American Express” and the American Express logo are trademarks
of American Express, and are used under limited license.

About KDS

KDS is a global provider of integrated travel technology and industry
leader in complete door-to-door trip booking. For more information on
KDS, visit http://www.kds.com
and follow us @KDS_Innovates.

Contacts

Media:
American Express Global Business Travel
Martin
Ferguson
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
+44
7789 816 523
martin.ferguson@aexp.com
or
Kwittken
Jessica
Nelson, +1 646-747-7141
jnelson@kwittken.com
or
KDS
Kate
Roe
Vice President Marketing
+44 7798 660022
kroe@kds.com
or
Ascendant
Communications
Gillie Tenant
+44 (0) 208 334 8041
gtennant@ascendcomms.net

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