Travelers to Europe Now Save When They Show Their AAA Card

    ORLANDO, Fla.--Jan. 24, 2001--AAA and its automobile club partners in Europe are joining forces to create money-saving opportunities for international travelers on both sides of the Atlantic, AAA announced today.
    AAA - which operates the largest leisure travel agency in North America - has negotiated savings for its nearly 44 million members on products and services available in Europe when they show their AAA membership card.
    More than 31 million members of European motor clubs can enjoy savings at AAA's national Show Your Card & Save(R) partners in North America effective immediately. AAA is currently asking local club Show Your Card & Save(R) partners to participate in the program by 2002.
    Savings in Europe for AAA members will include discounts at hundreds of restaurants, museums and attractions, as well as numerous hotels. Beginning later this year, AAA will list European merchant information on the Show Your Card & Save(R) pages of AAA club Web sites (www.aaa.com), so members planning trips can research discount information before departing for Europe.
    AAA members already save at over 3,700 merchants with more than 40,000 locations in North America displaying AAA's Show Your Card & Save(R) logo. Examples include Hertz, Hilton, Choice Hotels, Universal Studios, Hard Rock Cafes, Lens Crafters, and NAPA Auto Parts. All merchants are required to provide their best discounts to AAA members in order to participate.
    The savings at European merchant locations are available through motor clubs affiliated with ARC Europe, including those in Great Britain, Italy, Austria, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland. ARC Europe -affiliated motor clubs will adopt a common "Show Your Card!" logo which is similar to AAA's Show Your Card & Save(R) mark.
    "This program extends AAA's substantial commitment to serving international travelers, and is the first step in globalizing the Show Your Card & Save(R) program," said Tom Wilt, managing director, AAA Partnership Programs. "Ultimately, we hope to arrange discounts worldwide for AAA members through our international affiliations with overseas motor clubs."
    There are more than 9,000 local and pan-European merchant locations covered by the ARC Show Your Card! Program. The pan-European locations include: Campanile (hotels), Kyriad (hotels), Climat de France (hotels) Mercure (selection of Mercure hotels), Golden Tulip Hotels (hotels), P & O North Sea Ferries (ferries), SNCM (ferries), Sea Life (sea wildlife parks), The Dungeons (theme parks), Hard Rock Cafe (restaurant, merchandising) and Eurosites (camping sites).
    As North America's largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its nearly 44 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.