American Express has acquired Mezi, a personal travel assistant app that helps users plan and book trips.
The Mezi app, which offers tools for corporate travel managers, is an AI-based app that allows users to search and book flights, hotels and restaurants by messaging their requests. Founded in 2015, the app uses artificial intelligence and human expertise to personalise the travel-booking experience. The AI learns travellers’ preferences and gains an understanding of natural language over time.
The acquisition of Mezi follows a 2016 investment by American Express Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Amex, as well as a successful pilot programme with Amex card members, who will continued to be enrolled in the AskAmex pilot through the first half of 2018.
Mezi will now operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express and will continue to develop its core technologies and enhance its capabilities in digital travel concierge services.
Phil Norman, vice president of American Express Digital Labs, said: “Mezi’s AI-powered experience opens up exciting new ways for us to connect with and serve our card members and creates opportunities for us to build more meaningful relationships with them.”
americanexpress.com; mezi.com