UATP Network Adds La Quinta Inns & Suites as Merchant

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc. (UATP), the low cost travel payment network privately owned by the world's airlines, announced today the addition of La Quinta Inns & Suites as a new merchant to the UATP Network, the first hotel chain to become part of the network. UATP's centrally billed product enhances the management of corporate travel programs through its superior data and ease of reconciliation.

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"UATP is a premier player in the corporate travel industry and we are honored to be selected as the first hotel chain in the UATP Network," said Wayne B. Goldberg, president and chief executive officer, La Quinta. "By central billing hotel stays through UATP, clients avoid direct billing issues and receive additional information to better manage their travel program. La Quinta had a very successful launch period with Walmart and we plan to rapidly expand the use of UATP with other corporate clients."

The UATP – La Quinta partnership grew out of UATP's strategic objectives to enhance the UATP Network by expanding into hotels and car rentals. La Quinta was selected as the first chain to implement due to client-demand.

"Corporate client demand for UATP acceptance at hotels drove this initiative," stated UATP president and CEO, Ralph Kaiser. "This is a strategic move that will enable UATP to expand and also create synergies for our corporate clients. We will continue growing the hotel merchant base as we also add car rentals to our network."

American Airlines, the founder of UATP, was the first issuer to expand into hotel merchant acceptance. "Walmart approached us to see if we could utilize their UATP account for hotels. We worked with UATP and La Quinta to make it happen. We've been successfully running the program since 2009 and see additional opportunities to expand it," said Karen Buls, director of SME products, marketing and sales strategy for American Airlines. "We're pleased to be the launch airline issuer to offer this service," she added.

"By enhancing this product into hotel acceptance, it adds efficiencies and cost savings into our travel program," said Rick Johnson, senior director of travel services for Walmart. "Plus, this will provide a centrally-billed product that can be easily reconciled."

"Adding La Quinta as a merchant was the first step," added Kaiser. "We will continue to grow the relationship with La Quinta and will expand the client base significantly. This is going to be a very interesting year for UATP. Stay tuned."

For more information, visit http://uatp.com, www.aa.com/uatp or contact La Quinta National Sales at 214-492-6913

About UATP

UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak®. UATP accounts are issued by: Air New Zealand (ANZFF.PK), American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), Austrian Airlines (AUALF.PK), Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), El Al Israel Airlines Ltd; GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4); Japan Airlines (JALSY.PK), Qantas Airways, Ltd. (QUBSF.PK), United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA), and US Airways (NYSE: LCC). AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways (LSE: BAY.L), Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), and Lufthansa German Airlines.

About La Quinta

LQ Management L.L.C. is one of the largest operators of limited-service hotels in the United States. Based in Dallas, Texas, the Company operates and provides franchise services to close to 800 hotels in 46 states, Canada and Mexico under the La Quinta Inn® and La Quinta Inn & Suites® brands. For reservations or more information about La Quinta, please visit www.LQ.com or call 1-800-SLEEPLQ. Follow La Quinta Inns & Suites on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LQ or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/laquinta.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

SOURCE Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc. (UATP)