MAM
Agassi, American Express team up for US Open
NEW YORK: American Express has announced that tennis star Andre Agassi will promote the company’s sponsorship of the 2003 US Open Tennis Championships through a number of advertising and promotional programmes.
These will include a new television commercial. The campaign will also include new print creative featuring tennis celebrities Monica Seles, James Blake and Daniela Hantuchova.
The tournament kicks off next Monday. Last year, Agassi lost an emotionally charged final to Pete Sampras. For the past 10 years, American Express has served as the ‘Official Card of the US Open’. Through this year’s integrated campaign, the company is looking to provide unique experiences and special benefits for card members, a release said.
The new Agassi commercial builds on the ongoing umbrella advertising campaign The Official Card, which leverages the official card status that American Express holds with a variety of sports and entertainment sponsorships including the US Open.
In the spot, the tag-line is The Official Card of Parenthood showcasing Agassi’s personal interests off the court. It shows Agassi in a humourous scenario using his American Express Card to purchase a ball hopper, which he then takes home and uses to pick up toys his son has scattered across the floor. The campaign will also incorporate a television ad featuring Seles, in the Official Card of Being Yourself, which debuted during last year’s US Open.
Besides Agassi and Seles, rising stars James Blake and Daniela Hantuchova will also be featured in the ‘Official Card of the US Open’ campaign. Each of the players will appear in traditional and non-traditional media — including print, online and major outdoor venues throughout New York. They will also be seen on highway billboards, ferries, buses, subways, taxis and at the US Open.
In addition to the ad campaign, American Express will also have a substantial presence on-site at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows and will feature several special card member benefit programmes throughout the tournament.
American Express has sponsorship relations with a number of entertainment and sports properties including Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, the NBA and WNBA, the US Open, Tiger Woods, Tribeca Film Festival and World Golf Championships.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
