
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 2, 1995                   TAG: 9502020065
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIENNA                                LENGTH: Short

ONLINE CARD IDEA MADE TO ORDER

Some American Express cardholders won't have to worry about leaving home without the charge card - they won't have to leave home at all to shop via a new computer service.

Beginning this week, subscribers to the America Online computer network can use an American Express card to electronically order goods, pay bills and make travel arrangements.

There is no charge for the service beyond the monthly America Online subscription fees, Pam McGraw, a spokeswoman for the Vienna-based network service, said Wednesday.

New York-based American Express estimates that among its 32 million charge-card customers, hundreds of thousands also subscribe to America Online. America Online has 1.5 million users.

ExpressNet is American Express' first major foray into the expanding world of home computers, company spokeswoman Emily Porter said.

Initially, the service offers an easy way to conduct business with American Express itself - applying for new cards, paying card balances and ordering goods from American Express' own catalogs.

In March, a full travel service is to come online, Porter said.

by CNB