SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2006--
Travelocity Points Can Be Redeemed for Travel on Any Airline,
Hotel, Car Rental or Flight + Hotel Package at Any Time
Travelocity(R) and Barclays Bank Delaware (formerly Juniper Bank) have launched the Travelocity Rewards MasterCard(R) that promises to eliminate the hassles of redeeming miles or points when booking award travel. Users of the card can take advantage of a comprehensive, easy-to-use and generous program that enables them to earn double or triple points for travel purchased on Travelocity with the new MasterCard card, in addition to points on everyday purchases.
Unlike traditional mileage programs that are restricted by limited seat availability, blackout dates and brand choice, the Travelocity Rewards MasterCard has no blackout dates or travel restrictions and can be redeemed online for travel on any airline, hotel, car rental company, or flight + hotel package available on Travelocity at any time.
“Regardless of what airline you want to fly or when you want to travel, Travelocity now offers the program that gives customers more control than ever over how many points they redeem and for which travel product,” said Victoria Treyger, Vice President, Merchandising and Product Marketing, Travelocity. “The program allows our customers to focus on what matters most – finding and booking an amazing trip.”
Guaranteed and Easy Redemption
The Travelocity Rewards MasterCard allows consumers to earn points that offer instant credit back. Travelers who book any airline, hotel, car rental or flight + hotel package on Travelocity are given the option to apply Travelocity points to receive a credit to their account.
Customers can start redeeming points on all standalone flight purchases immediately, with other travel products – including hotel, car and packaged deals – expected to be redeemable beginning Oct. 2006.
Top Tier Reward Levels
Compared to traditional airline mileage programs that commonly require consumers to redeem a minimum of 25,000 miles on “saver” awards (while many require 40,000 or 50,000 miles), Travelocity makes it easier and faster to cash in for award travel.
Customers have complete control over how many points they redeem and no longer need to wait to reach a high level for redemption. They can redeem as few as 5,000 points for $50 off their travel booking or 7,500 points for $100 off a travel booking.
-- 20,000 points = A free flight worth up to $400, or $400 off
flight + hotel packages, hotel stays or car rentals (among the
most competitive award level available)
-- 15,000 points = $200 credit
-- 12,500 points = $150 credit
-- 7,500 points = $100 credit
-- 5,000 points = $50 credit
Easy and Fast Accumulation
The new Travelocity Rewards MasterCard can be used anywhere that accepts MasterCard and offers points on everyday purchases. Consumers earn triple points for booking a Travelocity flight + hotel package and double points for flights, GoodBuy hotels, Last Minute Packages and Activities. For enrolling, cardholders are eligible to receive:
-- Either 5,000 Travelocity points or $50 statement credit with
their first purchase + up to 5,000 bonus points for Balance
Transfers;
-- Annual fee waived for the first year;
-- No expiration on points.
Fast and Simple Redemption
Redemption is just as easy. Customers redeem their Travelocity points directly in the purchase path as soon as they enter their credit card information (there’s no special redemption Web site or call to a specific number to redeem their points).
“Travelocity shares our passion and dedication to the overall customer experience and is innovating with new ways for its customers to benefit from their relationship,” said Kevin Kleinschmidt, Barclays Managing Director, Business Development.
To apply or learn more about the Travelocity Rewards MasterCard, including terms and conditions and other important information, please visit www.travelocity.com/rewards.
About Travelocity
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion – before, during and after the trip and guarantees everything about a customer’s booking will be right. If it’s not, Travelocity will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. – booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM) and GetThere for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
About Barclays Bank Delaware
Barclays Bank Delaware is a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS) and a leading U.S. credit card issuer with more than 40 card partnerships in the travel, entertainment, retail, financial services, not-for-profit and educational arenas. Barclays issues co-branded credit cards for Barnes and Noble, Carnival Cruise Lines, Harvard Alumni Association, and UBS just to name a few.
About Barclaycard
Barclaycard is a multi-brand credit card and consumer lending business. It is one of Europe’s leading credit card businesses and has an increasing international presence.
In the UK, Barclaycard includes all Barclaycard branded credit cards and loans, Barclays loans, the FirstPlus secured lending business, Monument cards and loans and the retail finance business Clydesdale Financial Services. Barclaycard also manages card operations on behalf of Littlewoods Financial Services, House of Fraser and Sky.
Outside the UK, Barclaycard International operates in the United States (through its acquisition of Juniper Financial Corporation in 2004), Scandinavia, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal and across Africa.
Barclaycard Business processes card payments for retailers and merchants and issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers
Key facts:
Number of UK card customers: 11.2m
Barclaycard International cards in issue: 5.3m
Number of Barclaycard Business retailer/merchant relationships: 95,000
Number of Barclaycard Business corporate cardholders: 565,000
Number of outlets that accept Visa worldwide: 24 million
CONTACT: Vollmer for Travelocity
Amanda Borichevsky, 972-488-4790
amanda@vollmerpr.com
Alyson Briggs, 972-488-4790
alyson@vollmerpr.com
or
Sparkpr for Barclays
Donna Sokolsky, 415-962-8200 x222
donna@sparkpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity