AAA Launches New Member Rewards Credit Card

NEWS RELEASE CONTACT:  Angie LaPlant, director, AAA Public Relations, (813) 728-7188 cell, ALaPlant@AAASouth.com

AAA LAUNCHES NEW MEMBER REWARDS VISA® CREDIT CARD WITH TRIPLE POINTS ON TRAVEL AND AAA PURCHASES

New AAA travel survey shows more travelers looking to take non-traditional vacation while appeal of traditional vacations decline

TAMPA, Fla. (March 22, 2011) – AAA and Bank of America announce the launch of the new AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America. The card provides triple points on all qualifying travel and AAA purchases, double points for gas, grocery and drug store purchases and one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.

“At a time when many credit card programs have cut back on the ways consumers can earn points and rewards, AAA developed a credit card for its members unlike any other on the market,” said Jill Perry, director, Financial Services, AAA Auto Club South. “The AAA Member Rewards Visa® makes it easy for members to quickly accumulate points on everyday necessities, like gas and groceries, in addition to substantial travel rewards.”

Concurrent to the launch of the credit card, AAA released findings of a new travel survey that show an increasing trend in non-traditional vacations. While 86 percent of Americans surveyed said they have taken a traditional vacation, such as a family vacation or romantic getaway, only 81 percent are considering taking one in the next year.

However, when asked about less traditional forms of travel, the AAA survey found there is an increased interest among Americans to take trips to learn a new skill, perform volunteer work, have a medical procedure or do something on their ‘bucket list.’ While 48 percent of respondents said they have taken one of the non-traditional vacations, 58 percent are considering doing so in the next year.

The AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card not only offers AAA members an opportunity to earn triple points on travel, but also allows points to be redeemed for vouchers for unique travel experiences for those seeking a non-traditional vacation.

“Although the AAA Member Rewards Visa® offers travel-based rewards, the benefits are not just limited to travel, but members are also able to redeem points for auto repair, cash and more,” said Perry.

“We’re pleased to build on our successful and long-standing affinity partnership with AAA,” said Andres De Armas, affinity card and banking executive, Bank of America. “This new AAA card delivers some of the richest travel rewards in the industry and provides enhanced value back to AAA members. The card offers their members maximum earning power and a wide variety of redemption choices – with no tiers or limits.”

Cardholders can redeem points for a variety of rewards, including: 

• AAA Branch Vouchers good for purchases at AAA branches—including travel
• AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility Vouchers for purchases at any AAA approved facility
• Cash—a full one percent cash back starting at 5000 points
• Gift cards to more than 100 retailers, restaurants and more
• Travel on major airlines with no blackout dates, hotel and car rentals
• Merchandise including electronics, sporting goods and more.

In addition to reward points, card member benefits include:

• Experiences – Joe Montana Winery, NASCAR Pit Crew, etc.
• 2500 bonus points after first purchase within the first 90 days, enough for the first reward
• No limit to the number of points earned
• 24-hour access to concierge service

AAA, a Bank of America affinity card partner since 1999, recently renewed its partnership with Bank of America. Bank of America is the leader in affinity card marketing and is endorsed by more than 1,600 organizations worldwide.  Through partnerships with organizations worldwide, Bank of America provides consumers a way to proudly display their affiliation with a particular organization or cause. 

For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of the AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card, or to apply, AAA members can visit any AAA branch, online at www.AAA.com\CreditCard or call 866-665-3581.

AAA Auto Club South is the third largest affiliate of AAA, with 79 branch offices serving more than 4.1 million members in Florida, Georgia, Middle/West Tennessee, and Puerto Rico. Since its founding in 1938, AAA Auto Club South has worked to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve travel safety.

Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 57 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,900 retail banking offices and approximately 18,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 29 million active users. Bank of America is among the world’s leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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