AutoVantage Fuels Up for 20th Anniversary
Leading national auto club celebrates milestone with great gas giveaway sweeps
NORWALK, Conn., April 9, 2008 -- Gas prices were below $1 a gallon. Ronald Reagan was in his second term as the 40th President. Stamps were 22 cents. And CDs outsold vinyl records for the first time ever. That same year - 1988 - a leading national auto club called AutoVantage was born, and has been setting records and keeping America on the road ever since.
In the past 20 years, the auto club has provided timely roadside assistance to more than 1 million stranded motorists, navigated drivers on their trips in a snap with more than 123,000 AccuTrip Routing maps (Las Vegas is the most popular, most requested), delivered more than 118,000 new car summaries and 61,000 used car summaries to help consumers get the best deals on automobiles, and logged nearly 100,000 maintenance referrals to get everyone back on the road and on their way.
Now, two decades later, many yearn for those nostalgic, bygone days - and savings - especially at the pump. In celebration of its 20-year milestone, the car experts at AutoVantage are putting the pedal to the medal, and the gas in the tank - literally.
The auto club has launched a 20th Anniversary Great Gas Giveaway sweepstakes, and the grand prize is 20 years worth of free gas to one lucky participant. There is no purchase necessary to enter the sweeps - which runs through December 31, 2008 - and is open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18-years-old or older. AutoVantage is also awarding nine GPS navigation devices, and 10 $100 gas cards. Jump into this great gas giveaway by registering online at www.autovantage.com.
"There are many things facing us on the road today, and the rising cost of energy and spiraling prices at the pump are socking all of us in the pocketbook," said Liz Allison, NASCAR TV personality, radio host, best-selling author and AutoVantage spokesperson. "What better way for us to celebrate this historic milestone than to reward motorists with pain relief at the pump."
The sweepstakes is a great way for AutoVantage to thank the thousands of motorists who have turned to their automotive services over the years. "As a leading automotive motor club, we pay close attention to the driving habits, behaviors and attitudes of American drivers, and clearly, one of the biggest issues facing the public today is the rising cost of fuel," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. "We wanted to celebrate by giving away 20 great prizes to help people navigate the highways and byways of America - and giving away 20 years of free gas to one lucky motorist is the best way to celebrate our historic anniversary."
In the 20 years since AutoVantage's birth here are AutoVantage's Top 5 problems on the road, garnered from more than 1 million roadside assistance dispatches:
1. Breakdowns requiring tows (60 percent)
2. Lockouts (12 percent)
3. Jumpstarts (10 percent)
4. Tire changes (9 percent)
5. Fuel deliveries (1 percent)
Here are the Top 20 destinations for motorists:
1. Las Vegas
2. Orlando, Fla.
3. San Antonio, Texas
4. Memphis, Tenn.
5. San Diego
6. Branson, Mo.
7. Nashville, Tenn.
8. Atlanta
9. Houston
10. Grand Canyon, Ariz.
11. Kissimmee, Fla., near Disney World
12. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
13. Washington, D.C.
14. Chicago
15. San Francisco
16. Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
17. Los Angeles
18. Niagara Falls, N.Y.
19. Jacksonville, Fla.
20. Miami
Other auto insights from the experts at AutoVantage:
-- Car life spans continue to improve. In 1977, half of the automobiles
had a life expectancy of 10.5 years and 107,000 miles. By 1990, 50
percent survived fro 12.5 years and 127,000 miles, and now average car
life expectancies are 13 years and 152,00 miles.
-- It's estimated that there's nearly one car for every American of
driving age
-- Median automobile age is nine years
-- Number of those reaching driving age is the largest since the Baby
Boom.
-- Average new car spend ... $22,600
-- Average used car spend ... $9,000
-- Average auto loan length ... five years
-- Estimated cars in use in the U.S. ... 135 million
-- Average annual car maintenance costs ... $650
About AutoVantage
Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included. AutoVantage 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.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., who are 18 and over. Void elsewhere and where prohibited. For entry details, and full official rules, including odds and prize values, visit www.AutoVantage.com. Sweepstakes ends 12/31/08. Sponsor: Trilegiant Corporation, 100 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Liz Allison http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=64801
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