Amex Buys AI Travel App Mezi

American Express announced Tuesday (Jan. 30) that it has acquired Mezi, the personal travel assistant app that helps people plan and book their trips. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In a press release, American Express said the app enabled travelers to message their requests for flights, hotel and restaurant reservations. It also provides recommendations and will make travel arrangements based on customers’ requests. The Mezi app uses artificial intelligence (AI) melded with human impacts to personalize searching for and booking travel destinations online.

According to American Express, the app learns more about user preferences, becoming smarter and more efficient over time.

“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,” said Phil Norman, vice president of American Express Digital Labs, in the press release. “With messaging emerging as [the] channel of choice for many, and the demand for unique experiences increasing, we believe the combination of Mezi’s capabilities with our global network of expert travel counselors creates a differentiated, high-touch service experience for our Card Members.”

The Mezi purchase follows a 2016 investment in the app by American Express Ventures, the investment arm of the company. American Express has already had a pilot in place with Mezi and American Express card customers. Those currently enrolled in the pilot program, dubbed AskAmex, will stay enrolled through the first half of this year.

“American Express has always been synonymous with superior service and we couldn’t be more thrilled to join the company,” said Swapnil Shinde, co-founder and CEO of Mezi.

Mezi will be a wholly-owned unit of American Express and will continue to develop its core technologies and enhance its capabilities in digital travel concierge services, American Express added.