CarsDirect.com Offers New-Car Buying Services to Frequent Fliers
13 April 2000
CarsDirect.com Offers New-Car Buying Services to Frequent Fliers At Nation's Top Two Airlines
LOS ANGELES--April 13, 2000--In Exclusive Agreement With MSI, United and American Frequent Fliers
Can Earn 10,000 Miles When Purchasing Cars Via Airline Web Sites
CarsDirect.com, the leading automotive e-tailer, today announced that it has been selected as the exclusive online new vehicle e-tailer for the auto referral Web sites created by Member Services Inc. (MSI) for United Airlines(R) (www.odometermiles.com) and American Airlines(R) (www.aabuy2fly.com) frequent fliers.
The alliance with CarsDirect.com enables United Airlines Mileage Plus(R) and American Airlines AAdvantage(R) members an additional way to earn 10,000 miles when buying or leasing a new car or truck via their respective frequent-flier Web sites. United Airlines and American Airlines are the nation's two largest air carriers.
"Bonus frequent flier miles are a powerful way of reaching a loyal, highly motivated group of consumers," said Bob Brisco, CEO, CarsDirect.com. "This program stands as one more way that CarsDirect.com is making car buying for virtually any make and model simple, convenient and quick."
"By partnering with CarsDirect.com, we are helping frequent fliers enjoy automotive travel as much as they do air travel," said Bill Nicholson, vice president for MSI. "For participants in the United Airlines Mileage Plus and American Airlines AAdvantage programs, we are increasing the value of these programs and acknowledging the importance of e-commerce by adding CarsDirect.com as the on-line option to our traditional retail outlets."
About Member Services Inc.
Member Services Inc. (MSI) is a privately held Arkansas Corporation specializing in marketing and promotion. MSI's core business is creating marketing programs for automotive dealers and related businesses aimed at major affinity groups such as airline frequent flyer programs, credit unions and wholesale club members. MSI maintains relationships with franchised new car dealers who represent more than 3,300 new car and truck franchises.
MSI also provides to major retailers, and their vendors, merchandising and fulfillment services such as: product development, package design, development of point-of-sale materials, call center support, electronic purchase order/invoicing and assistance in sales and marketing of products to specific trade channels. MSI is a partner in the Whistler Corporation, a major manufacturer of automotive electronics.
MSI is a full service advertising agency with an in-house graphics arts and creative department that develops promotional pieces for local and national campaigns. MSI operates a bilingual call center and currently has more than 40 field associates and managers actively supporting the various programs.
About CarsDirect.com
CarsDirect.com (www.carsdirect.com), the leading automotive e-tailer, is the first nationwide online service that puts consumers in control of the total car buying experience -- from research, pricing and customization to financing and delivery. With CarsDirect.com, car buyers can see and compare real, upfront prices on virtually every vehicle sold in the U.S, obtain a loan or lease, place their orders directly online and arrange for home or office delivery. More than 2,000 franchised dealers are a part of CarsDirect.com's Priority Dealer Network.
Based in Los Angeles, CarsDirect.com is an idealab! company. The company is also funded by idealab! Capital Partners, Primedia Ventures, Foundation Capital, MSD Capital LP, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Hambrecht & Quist, E*O Investors, LLC, Oracle Corp., Liberty Digital, TMCT Ventures, L.P, Hikari Tsushin and Soros Private Equity Partners LLC.
