TL;DR
- American Express launched a travel app that centralizes bookings, planning, and management, with direct access to premium programs.
- The app includes Amex Passport, which generates digital stamps as NFTs on Coinbase’s Base network, customizable and shareable on social media.
- It also adds estimated wait times at Centurion Lounges, enhancing the airport experience for Platinum Card holders.
American Express introduced a new travel app that combines booking, planning, and management in a single digital environment.
The platform will be available starting September 18 for iOS users and in the following weeks for Android. The goal is to simplify the process of organizing a trip and provide a smoother experience for cardholders. The app integrates themed destination guides, tools to centralize flight, hotel, and transportation details, and direct access to premium programs such as Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.
A key feature of the proposal is Amex Passport, a function that generates digital stamps to commemorate international trips. These stamps are designed as unique tokens stored on a public blockchain. Each user can personalize their stamp with specific highlights such as activities or experiences and share them easily on social media or via text. The idea is supported by surveys showing that more than half of travelers miss receiving physical passport stamps and are looking for new digital ways to commemorate their journeys.
American Express Issues Its NFTs with Support from Base and Fireblocks
American Express developed these stamps as NFTs under the ERC-721 standard, though it chose not to label them as such. They are minted and stored on Coinbase’s Base network and function as commemorative items without economic value or exchange functionality. The purpose is not to generate immediate revenue but to enrich the travel experience and distinguish the brand’s offering. Fireblocks serves as Wallet-as-a-Service provider for this feature, ensuring secure token management.
The app also improves access to Centurion Lounges by offering estimated wait times when lounges reach capacity. This update allows travelers to better plan their airport stay and strengthens one of the most valued benefits for Platinum Card holders.
With this combination of tools, American Express seeks to integrate multiple services into a single application. The aim is to establish a digital product that not only simplifies the practical aspects of travel planning but also introduces a new way to remember and share experiences, using blockchain as the technological foundation to give those memories permanence and security
