Auto Club and EarthLink Offer Exclusive Internet Access Package
24 November 1998
Auto Club and EarthLink Offer Exclusive Internet Access Package to Auto Club Members
LOS ANGELES--Nov. 19, 1998--The Automobile Club of Southern California has teamed with EarthLink to offer an exclusive Internet access package through EarthLink Sprint for Auto Club members throughout Southern California.
The agreement marks the first time the Auto Club, the largest affiliate of AAA, has offered an incentive for Internet access services to its more than 4 million members.
Besides the special Auto Club incentive, members who sign up for the package receive the same features and services available to all EarthLink members: e-mail address and service; 24-hour, 7-day-a-week toll-free technical support; 6 MBs of Webspace for a personal Web site; a Web browser and other software; a customizable Personal Start Page, "bLink" bimonthly magazine; and an introductory Internet users guide. Auto Club members who already subscribe to EarthLink may also take advantage of the access package.
"We're making it easier and more affordable for our members to connect to the Internet through a provider that has a reputation for world-class member support and education," said Lane Barnett, vice president of marketing and product development for the Auto Club. "The Auto Club also is committed to providing its members with outstanding service, so our partnership with EarthLink is a good fit with our expectations. Our arrangement with EarthLink is yet another way we are adding savings and convenience to the discounts and services our members already enjoy."
The agreement between the Auto Club and EarthLink Sprint is the latest partnership of Show Your Card & Save(R), a cooperative program between the Auto Club and local businesses that provides discounts to Auto Club members on high-quality, popular products and services. The exclusive discounts are offered to members in addition to Auto Club services such as roadside assistance, insurance, and travel agency. Membership in the Auto Club automatically qualifies members for Show Your Card & Save(R) privileges.
"We're very pleased to team up with the Auto Club to offer its members Internet access, especially since some of them will be first-time Net users," said Chris Palmer, director of market development at EarthLink. "Both companies pride themselves on world class customer service, so it's a great match."
For additional information or to sign up, Auto Club members may call 800/EARTHLINK (327-8454) and mention deal No. 802076 or visit the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
EarthLink Network is the world's largest independent Internet service provider. Through its unified EarthLink Sprint Internet access service, the company makes the Internet relevant and productive to hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses every day. With headquarters in Pasadena, EarthLink provides a full range of innovative access and hosting solutions to thousands of communities internationally from more than 1,500 points of presence.
EarthLink and Sprint Corp. have formed a broad business relationship to create an Internet service with the potential to reach millions of new customers. Sprint is a global communications company and one of the world's largest carriers of internet traffic. Information about EarthLink and EarthLink Sprint services is available by calling 800/395-8425 and through EarthLink's Web site at http://www.earthlink.net/.
