Milne Travel American Express acquires Hewins Travel’s business travel division

Steve Hewins, founder of Hewins Travel, based in Maine, and Scott Milne, President of Milne Travel American Express, based in Vermont, today announced that Hewins Travel’s business travel division will merge into Milne Travel American Express. Hewins Travel is a subsidiary of AAA Northern New England. Milne Travel is an American Express Travel Agency. Steve Hewins, continuing in his role as Vice President of Travel Services for AAA Northern New England, will remain with AAA, as will Hewins Travel’s retail locations.
‘We have a great deal of respect for Hewins’ leadership, travel counselors, clients, and the overall business they operate,’ said Scott Milne. ‘Our intent is for business clients and employees of Hewins Travel to be delighted with Milne as a travel management company, and as an employer’. It is anticipated all Hewins business travel staff will move over to Milne as part of the transaction.
‘With our focus on leisure travel at AAA, I felt the time was right to transition out of the corporate travel business,’ said Steve Hewins. ‘After considering a number of options, I chose to pass the torch onto Scott and his team. I am confident that he and everyone at Milne Travel American Express represent the best future for our clients and employees. I have known Scott personally for many years, going back to our time with American Express. Scott and his staff operate one of the more respected travel businesses in the country, with corporate travel as a core focus.’
Milne Travel is a 36-year-old family run business that has grown from a one-person company on Main Street in Barre, Vermont, into one of the larger travel agencies in the United States. Milne is American Express’ largest franchisee in the Northeastern United States, owning and operating ten of American Express’ 1700 worldwide locations.
Once the merger is completed in late October, the Travel and Entertainment spend of Milne’s business clients will top 100 million dollars annually. Milne will become one of Maine’s largest employers of business travel counselors and will strengthen its resources and experience as a place for businesses that spend money on travel to find valuable consulting, service, and technology.
This growth is a plus to our suppliers, our employees and our clients,’ says Milne. ‘On top of increasing the size of the organization, the biggest benefit of this acquisition to Milne Travel is the people. The quality of service this team can provide current and future business clients is tremendous.’
Milne. Portland, Maine (October 10, 2011)