AeroMexico and Western Union Work Together to Offer a Cash Payment Option for Booking Airline Tickets; Cash Payment Option Now Accepted for Reservations Made by Phone.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2004

Travelers from the U.S. to Mexico who prefer to pay for their airfare with cash, now have a new, easy-to-use payment option available through an agreement between AeroMexico, Mexico's largest airline, and Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC). Now through May 15 customers who book a reservation on AeroMexico using Western Union's easy-to-use payment option will have the transaction fee waived.

The collaborative service offering will broaden consumer payment options and convenience for those who choose to pay with cash. Cash payment options allow consumers to send their payment for electronic airline tickets at any of nearly 45,000 Western Union Agent locations nationwide after reserving tickets by phone.

"We're continuously looking for new and innovative ways to make it easy for our customers to book and fly with AeroMexico," said Rolf D. Hoehn, vice president, U.S. Division, AeroMexico. "There is a significant percentage of the population, including many in the Hispanic community, who prefer to pay for their travel in cash. Partnering with Western Union, a brand that people trust for sending payments, is a reflection of our commitment to serve our customers' needs."

For businesses that traditionally operate via credit card transactions, such as airlines, offering a cash payment option is important in meeting customer needs, while avoiding lost sales. According to research, only 40 percent of Hispanics who qualify for credit cards actually have one. In fact, of the U.S. Latin households with annual incomes between $30,000 and $50,000, only 58 percent hold credit cards, compared to 78 percent of their Anglo counterparts, the Pew Hispanic Center and the Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported. And, according to a 2002 Global Insights study, the U.S. Hispanic population has grown by 58 percent since the 1990s and now includes 12.5 million people.

"With this growing number of Hispanics who prefer to pay in person and in cash, airlines need to orient their businesses to serve this cultural preference," said Joe Jackson, president, Western Union Commercial Services. "We are offering more convenience to consumers who do not have a credit card or those who simply prefer to pay in cash."

How it works:

-- When travelers book a flight on AeroMexico, they can then

choose to send a cash payment for their reservation, instead

of using a credit card.

-- After the flight is booked, consumers will be given a

confirmation number to take to a Western Union Agent location.

Tickets must be paid for in full, within 24 hours, to

guarantee the reservation.

-- At the Western Union Agent location, consumers fill out a

"Blue Quick Collect" form and give it to the Agent clerk along

with their cash payment and a nominal service fee.

-- The Western Union Agent sends the payment to AeroMexico and

AeroMexico validates the payment through their reservation

system within minutes.

-- Customers receive a detailed Western Union receipt and

confirmation number as proof that the payment was sent to

AeroMexico for their electronic ticket.

For additional information, flight schedules and reservations, travelers can visit http://www.aeromexico.com or call AeroMexico's customer service line at 1-800-237-6639.

About Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and First Data

Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC), is an international leader in consumer money transfer services. Consumers can quickly and reliably pay bills and transfer money around the globe using the company's proprietary money transfer network. Western Union and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world's largest money transfer networks with approximately 182,000 Agent locations in more than 195 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph service, the original Western Union dates back to 1851 and introduced electronic money transfer service in 1871. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.westernunion.com.

First Data Corp., with global headquarters in Denver, helps power the global economy. Serving approximately 3.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data makes it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services, using virtually any form of payment: credit, debit, smart card, stored-value card or check at the point-of-sale, over the Internet or by money transfer. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.firstdata.com.

About AeroMexico

AeroMexico serves over 40 cities in Mexico, more than any other airline and 18 gateway cities in the United States including Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Fort Lauderdale; El Paso; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Ontario, Calif.; Orlando; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; San Diego; and Tucson - and six countries in Europe and South America. Founded in 1988, AeroMexico has become the leading carrier in the region by maintaining the highest service levels, which have earned the airline numerous top rankings in the industry. The airline was the first Mexican carrier to introduce a frequent flyer program. Today, AeroMexico's Club Premier program enjoys more than one million members. AeroMexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, which provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. The airline's corporate headquarters are in Mexico City and its U.S. operations are based in Houston.