Penn Desk at American Express Travel
University Preferred Travel Agency
The Penn Desk at American Express Travel, the University’s preferred travel agency, allows you to take advantage of University discounts negotiated with preferred travel partners. The Penn Desk at American Express Travel can charge air tickets directly to your department or funding source. Most importantly, representatives are available 24/7/365 to assist you before and during your travel – especially convenient when dealing with unexpected travel events.
Benefits of Using the Penn Desk at American Express Travel
- Negotiated savings opportunity with preferred carriers when reservations are booked through American Express Travel. See “Airline Reservations” for details.
- Experienced agents dedicated specifically to University travelers.
- Dedicated campus phone line 215-898-9439 or 800-796-7573 directly to the Penn Desk.
- Reduced hotel rates at over 3,200 hotels worldwide.
- Central bill account for all authorized airline tickets.
- Faxed flight confirmations.
- And much, much more…
Contact Information
Phone
215-898-9439
800-796-7573
Fax
215-573-5635 (Travel Office)
Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 AM to 5:15PM
24-hour Emergency Service (Identify yourself with Access Code A-1FC)
800-796-7573
Note: There is a service charge of $16 to use the Penn Desk after normal business hours. Therefore, use it for emergencies only.
Emergency Travel Service
We suggest that you contact American Express during normal business hours in order to reach the dedicated agents on the Penn desk. Should you need assistance with an existing reservation, you can call either 215-898-9439 or 1-800-796-7573 and you will be connected to the Amex Emergency Travel desk. They can help you rebook your flight during weather delays and get you on your way through busy airports. Don’t stand in lines. Call the Amex Emergency Travel desk. There is a $16 fee for the call.
If the ticket is on the central bill account, a change can be made that is $150 or less. Over $150, you need to provide proof of authorization from your business administrator or a different credit card to the representative.
Traveler Profile
If you need a Traveler Profile please contact the Travel Services & Procurement Cards and we will send you a form to complete and return.
Service Fees
Listed below are service fees charged to Penn travelers by American Express. These fees are the result of the elimination of commissions which were once paid by the airlines to travel agencies.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Agent-assisted Domestic airline ticket transaction | $35 |
| Agent-assisted International airline ticket transaction | $45 |
| Hotel/Car/International rail only reservations | $25 |
| Ticket exchange | $35 |
| International Rate Desk | $35 |
| American Express Travel After Hours Desk | $20 |
| Paper ticket surcharge charged by some domestic carriers | Varies |
These service fees are considered reimbursable expenses and should be listed on expense reports.
Service Issues
If you have any service problems with the Penn Desk at American Express Travel, instead of going elsewhere, please contact Travel Services & Procurement Cards. Only by knowing about a problem can we work towards correcting it.
