AAA / Visa Offering Multi-Purpose,Prepaid, Electronic Budgeting Cards.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

Travelers, gift-givers, students and shoppers can get help staying within their budgets using a set of new financial service payment cards being introduced by AAA and Visa USA. Each card is designed to meet a specific budgeting need:

-- AAA Global Currency for traveling internationally.

-- AAA EveryDay Funds for easier money management.

-- AAA Gift Card for special occasions.

The AAA EveryDay Funds and AAA Global Currency card funds - which store pre-paid denominations from $5 up to $9,999 - can be accessed at more than 600,000 Interlink Merchants in the United States and 625,000 automatic teller machines worldwide. The AAA EveryDay Funds and AAA Gift Card also can be used at more than 18 million merchant locations that accept Visa cards. The AAA Gift Card can be purchased with any denominations from $25 up to $2,000.

The AAA stored value cards are issued and administered by MBNA America, N.A. Bank and processed by WildCard Systems, Inc.

The AAA Global Currency card is instantly available free at participating AAA club locations to AAA members with a minimum initial balance of $300 or more, or for $3 per card to non-members. The cards also can be obtained by paying a $2.95 shipping and handling fee via the Internet at www.storedvalue.aaa.com or by calling the toll-free order center at 1-877/233-9234. A list of AAA locations offering the cards is available on the Web site.

Each AAA stored-value card is a prepaid Visa card holding dollar amounts that consumers set beforehand. As they are used, the amount spent is deducted from the total on the card.

The currency value stored on the AAA Everyday Funds and AAA Global Currency Cards can be replenished as needed by phone, Internet connection or at participating AAA offices, and are protected by personal identification numbers set by the card holder when the card is activated.

"The AAA stored-value cards use the latest technology to assist budget conscious consumers better manage their funds," said Tom Wilt, managing director, AAA Partner Sales. "These convenient cards allow individuals to decide in advance exactly how much they want to spend, give as a gift, or provide as an allowance; while ensuring secure access to their funds."

"The AAA partnership with Visa will truly benefit the members of AAA in a variety of ways," said Steve Diamond, vice president with Visa USA. "The AAA portfolio of Visa card products will provide an unprecedented level of convenience for today's busy lifestyles."

As the nation's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 43 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 safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be reached on the Internet at www.aaa.com.

Visa U.S.A. is the leading payment brand and the largest payment system in the United States, with more volume than all other major payment cards combined. Visa plays a pivotal role in advancing new payment products and technologies to benefit its more than 14,000 U.S. member financial institutions and their cardholders. There are more than 330 million Visa credit, commercial and check cards, which generate more than $720 billion in annual transaction volume. Visa-branded cards are accepted at over 17 million locations worldwide, including some 625,000 ATMs in the Visa/PLUS Global ATM Network. Visa's Internet address is www.visa.com.