Contact Information: Contacts: Heather Hunter - National 407-444-8005 hhunter@national.aaa.com Dan Ronan - Statewide/Dallas Ronan.dan@aaa-texas.com danronan@sprint.blackberry.net 469-221-8217 office 469-583-7070 cell Sarah Schimmer - Houston Schimmer.sarah@aaa-texas.com 713-284-6552 office 281-797-7886 cell
In Tough Economic Times AAA's Show Your Card & Save Program Is Helping Texas Consumers Make the Most of Tight Holiday Budgets
AAA Members Saved $1.2 Billion Last Year Utilizing Benefits of the Largest Member Discount Program in the World
| Source: AAA Texas
HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - November 25, 2008) - As the holiday season approaches many Texans
are concerned with their shrinking 401Ks, a slowing economy, and are
seeking ways to make the most of gift giving budgets. Last year AAA's Show
Your Card & Save® program saved consumers nearly $1.2 billion by taking
advantage of member discounts at consumer electronic stores, booksellers,
clothing boutiques and other retail establishments. This equals an average
savings of $97.91 for every member who used the program.
AAA's Show Your Card & Save program is the largest member discount program
in the world, offering more than 160,000 locations for savings worldwide.
Members will find discounted holiday gifts both online and at popular
retailers including Dell, Payless Shoe Source, Target.com and Blue Nile
this holiday season. The growing popularity of online discounts resulted in
a 48 percent increase in use last holiday shopping season.
The average person is expected to spend $631 on gifts this holiday season,
according to the National Retail Federation, who also reported that for the
first time in the survey's history Americans plan to spend less on gifts
for family members than they did last year ($466.13 in 2008 vs. $469.14
last year). AAA's member savings program can help budget-conscious
consumers spread holiday cheer and get more for their money.
"During these difficult economic times Americans may be tightening their
budgets and the holiday season can add additional stress," said Tom Wilt,
managing director of AAA Partnership Programs. "The same card that they use
for emergency roadside assistance, and free travel books and maps, can also
provide savings on gift giving."
Through AAA's Show Your Card & Save program, AAA's more than 51 million
members are eligible to save money at 110,000 retail locations in North
American and at popular online retailers including Target.com,
Barnesandnoble.com, FTD.com and more. Visit www.AAA.com/discounts for a
complete list of retailers and offers.
As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA
provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and
automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the
not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the
safety and security of all travelers. AAA Texas can be visited on the
Internet at www.AAA.com