Auto Club to Create `Virtual Travel Agency' Online; Members to Receive Expanded Travel Services

LOS ANGELES--Nov. 3, 2003--Members will be able to access a state-of-the-art, comprehensive "virtual travel agency" online when the Automobile Club of Southern California launches its new travel Web service at aaa.com next year. A few mouse clicks will enable members to book flights, hotels, cars, cruises, or tours and obtain exclusive AAA destination information, such as AAA diamond ratings and mapping, from a single, easy-to-use location.

Special benefits, discounts and exclusive AAA travel information on the Web site will be accessible to more than 7.5 million members when they log on to book travel through aaa.com. The Automobile Club of Southern California operates the largest leisure travel agency west of the Rockies.

"Our goal is to provide members with the same travel services on our Web site that they can obtain through our offices and call center, in a one-stop shopping format that combines several popular Auto Club services," said Diana Meinhold, the Auto Club's vice president for travel.

Members will be able to begin their vacation planning by exploring the Auto Club's extensive database of travel information, which includes: detailed AAA TourBook(R) destination summaries; regularly updated listings of events at popular destinations; detailed cruise ship, tour and campground information; and AAA diamond ratings for hotels and restaurants.

Users of the Web site will be able to compare prices and availability for various travel providers and to locate package deals, or create their own custom travel packages. Members will receive special discounts on many travel deals offered through the Web site.

When members are ready to complete travel arrangements, they will be able to make all their bookings on the Web site and order additional materials such as specialty maps for their destination. Or, if they choose, they can finish off the details of their trip over the phone or by visiting an Auto Club office.

"Members can obtain information from a travel agent and book their trip in an office or go home and book the trip online later," Meinhold said. "They can use our call centers at any point in the booking process. We want our members to have total flexibility in making their travel arrangements."

The Auto Club is working with several leading firms in the development of the integrated Web site, which will also enhance the services that members and customers receive from Auto Club travel agents because it will combine several different travel resources into one Web-based application.

The expanded Web site will be rolled out in several phases. Beginning in January 2004, members and consumers will be able to research vacations and cruise offerings. When the Web site redesign is completed, members will have full access to any travel package booking available through AAA Travel.

"The redesigned Web site will assist us in better serving our members, no matter how they choose to access our travel services," said Meinhold.

Currently, members who want to book travel through AAA Travel can visit any local Auto Club office, call the Club's Cruise and Tour Center at 888-TRIP-AAA or go online at aaa.com. The expanded travel Web site will allow them access to AAA Travel deals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at aaa.com.