Leading Travel Group Offers Relief for New Airline Bag Fees

In face of rising airline charges, Travelers Advantage gives $50 rebate to
club members

NORWALK, Conn., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- As more airlines announce
additional bag charges to offset near-record fuel prices, Travelers Advantage,
a leading national travel company, has begun offering consumers relief at the
airport.
Northwest Airlines recently joined United Airlines, Delta Airlines and US
Airways in adding a $25 one-way luggage fee on second checked bags for
coach-class passengers traveling within North America beginning May 5.
"The rising price of fuel is hitting us at the pump and in the airways,
and we are hoping to stimulate travel while also keeping cash in our members'
pocket," said Leslie Downey, director of communication for Travelers
Advantage. "We aim to help travelers navigate more efficiently through a
challenging economic landscape with an additional bag rebate."
As part of the rebate, active Travelers Advantage members can now receive
a $50 rebate coupon -- $25 reimbursement each way for additional bags -- on
airline trips booked worldwide through Travelers Advantage through the end of
the year.
In recent months, airlines have added fees for more services following a
74 percent jump in jet fuel prices over the past year. Carriers are also
seeking revenue from sources other than ticket sales as a slowing U.S. economy
threatens travel demand. Other airline increases include fees for three or
more checked bags, and hefty charges for bags weighing greater than 50 pounds.
Since 1985, Travelers Advantage has established itself on the leading edge
of the leisure travel market in the United States, serving millions of
members, and delivering millions in cash bonuses to travelers worldwide.
Travel and Tourism generates $1.3 trillion in economic activity in the
U.S. every year, according to the Travel Industry Association of America.
That equates to $3.4 billion a day, $148 million an hour, $2.4 million a
minute and $40,000 a second. There were 1,992 million person trips (one
person traveling 50 miles -- one way or more away from home and/or overnight)
in 2005, and a full 84 percent of those trips were for leisure travel. Top
travel activities are shopping, attending social and/or family event and
outdoor activities.
About Travelers Advantage
Members of Travelers Advantage (www.travelersadvantage.com or
1-877-841-1335) can save money on air travel, cruises, car rentals and
accommodations, as well as earn five percent cash back on eligible travel
booked with preferred providers through the service. Membership in Travelers
Advantage can be enjoyed during the first month for only $1. The trial
membership can be canceled at any time during the one-month trial period by
calling toll free and owing nothing further. Unless the member calls to
cancel during the trial, the membership will be extended automatically for an
entire year at the $99.99 annual fee and automatically renewed annually upon
expiration at the then-current annual fee, billed to a credit card account,
without the member having to do anything further. Additionally, members may
call toll free to cancel at any time and receive a pro-rata refund of their
then current membership fee. Travelers Advantage is offered by Affinion
Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses,
providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.
About Affinion Group
As a global leader with nearly 35 years of experience, Affinion Group
(www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships
by developing and marketing valuable loyalty, membership, checking account,
insurance and other compelling products and services. Leveraging its
expertise in product development and targeted marketing, Affinion helps
generate significant incremental revenue for more than 5,300 affinity partners
worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in
financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Norwalk,
Conn., the company has approximately 3,300 employees throughout the United
States and in 10 countries across Europe. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO
27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI
compliant and Cybertrust certified.
SOURCE Travelers Advantage

Todd Smith, +1-615-764-2598 (O), +1-615-202-7944 (M), or Andrea Lindsley,
+1-615-780-3315(O), +1-615-415-8886 (M), both for Travelers Advantage