AAA Expands Efforts to Help Motorists Save on Gas

DEARBORN, Mich., June 6 -- Just in time for the start of the summer driving season, AAA has added another free feature to its multi-faceted program to help motorists get the most for their gasoline dollar.

By accessing AAA's Web site on the Internet (http://www.aaa.com/ ) and clicking on Fuel Price Finder, a motorist can find out the latest prices being charged at service stations anywhere in the United States.

This price-check feature complements the AAA Visa(R) credit card program that enables motorists to earn a rebate of as much as 5 percent on gasoline and diesel fuel purchases.

"We hope this Fuel Price Finder will be as helpful to motorists in fighting rising fuel costs as our credit card gas rebate program has been," said Thomas Wehrmeister, director of Financial Services for The Auto Club Group, which includes AAA Michigan. "Motorists in Michigan have saved more than $3.5 million since the rebate program was initiated in 2003, and nationwide savings have been more than $74 million."

The Fuel Price Finder uses a computer network to monitor on a daily basis the pump prices at more than 85,000 service stations nationwide. A motorist can enter the name of any U.S. city and state into the computer program and see a display of the prices being charged by all network stations within 10 miles. The computer listing also shows if the station offers diesel fuel as well as gasoline.

In the gas rebate program, holders of AAA Visa(R) credit cards automatically earn the minimum rebate of 2 percent on gas purchases simply by "paying at the pump." The more cardholders use their AAA credit card for everyday, non-gas purchases the greater the gas rebate will be, up to a maximum of 5 percent. Non-gas purchases must be 60 percent or more of the total AAA credit card purchases to earn the full 5 percent gas rebate. The gas rebate is automatically posted to the cardholders' monthly statement.

"The average price of self-service regular gas in the Midwest is approximately $2.06 per gallon," Wehrmeister noted. "Motorists can, in effect, get a free gallon of gas for every 20 gallons they purchase using the AAA Visa(R) credit card."

To find the cheapest gas in any geographic area in the United States, motorists should visit http://www.aaa.com/ , click on "Fuel Gauge," and then "AAA Fuel Price Finder." For more information on the AAA credit card gas rebate program, visit the AAA Web site at http://www.aaa.com/ and click on Financial Services/AAA Credit Card.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 48 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.