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AAA Southern New England and American Express Partner to Provide Prepaid Program to More Than 2.8 Million AAA Southern New Engl

^{Published on 2011-06-08 13:20:39 - Market Wire}
 

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--American Express (NYSE: AXP), a leader in payments and services, announced today a strategic partnership with AAA Southern New England to launch a co-branded reloadable prepaid membership card. AAA Southern New England, a Providence-based auto club, serves over 2.8 million members in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island and is a leading provider of travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services in the tri-state area. The new partnership will allow AAA Southern New Englanda™s members the option to activate American Expressa™ prepaid functionality on their membership cards.

"This partnership provides unparalleled value to AAA Southern New England members, who will now have all the benefits of their AAA Southern New England membership combined with a premium American Express prepaid card that they can use at millions of merchants around the globe."

aAAA Southern New England is a member-centric organization renowned for its world-class emergency road service, so there is natural alignment in offering our members the added safety and security of a prepaid card rolled-up in one membership card,a said Mark A. Shaw, President and CEO of AAA Southern New England. aMembers will now have the option of being American Express Cardmembers, receiving many of the same benefits that are synonymous with American Express. After all, membership has its privileges,a he added.

aWe are pleased to provide members across AAA Southern New Englanda™s territory with a prepaid card thata™s safer than cash and backed by the benefits and service of American Express,a said Stefan Happ, SVP and GM of American Expressa™ Global Payment Options business, part of the companya™s Enterprise Growth group. aThis partnership provides unparalleled value to AAA Southern New England members, who will now have all the benefits of their AAA Southern New England membership combined with a premium American Express prepaid card that they can use at millions of merchants around the globe.a

Beginning with the launch of the program this month, all AAA Southern New England members will receive membership cards with Prepaid Card functionality upon renewal of their annual membership. Once activated with the prepaid payment functionality, members will be able to use their Prepaid Card at millions of locations worldwide where American Express Cards are accepted. Those seeking to receive membership cards with Prepaid Card functionality prior to their membership expiration can do so by requesting a new card anytime after the launch date.

Budgeting tools allow Cardmembers to manage their account online, view real-time transaction history and set up alerts to receive balance and transaction information. Reloading funds can be scheduled automatically.

Up to $2,500 can be loaded on the co-branded Prepaid Card through an American Express Charge or Credit Card or through a checking or savings account. The Prepaid Card, with a one-time $15 activation fee, does not have any fees for reloading, balance inquiries, foreign currency conversion or Card replacement. The first monthly ATM cash withdrawal is free, after which a $2.00 fee applies (bank network charges may also apply). Funds on the Card do not expire.

AAA Southern New England members who activate the payment functionality on their membership cards will enjoy valuable protections and benefits (subject to terms and conditions), including:

• $25 bonus if the initial load is $200 or more
• 1 percent back on spend during the first 12 months
• Global Assist ® Hotline provides emergency assistance when the Cardmember is traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Purchase Protection¹ which can protect against accidental damage or theft of eligible items for 90 days from date of purchase, up to $1,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per Cardmember account per calendar year.
• American Express Selects for Cardmember discounts at select merchants.

In addition to the AAA Southern New England partnership, this agreement builds on the larger strategic initiative of the companya™s Enterprise Growth organization to expand beyond traditional payment forms.

About AAA Southern New England

AAA Southern New England serves over 2.8 million members in Rhode Island and the following counties in Connecticut:New Haven, Fairfield and Litchfield, and in Massachusetts:Bristol, Middlesex, Worcester, Berkshire, Plymouth, Suffolk, Barnstable and Norfolk.In addition to its roadside assistance programs AAA Southern New England provides its members with an array of products and services in travel, insurance and financial services.The Club also offers exclusive products and services with special member discounts and value-added programs.

About American Express

American Express is a global services company providing customers with access to products, services and experiences which enrich lives and build business success.Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/american express.

¹Purchase Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix, AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Policy AX0951 or Policy PP-IND and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy

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