Aeroplan Expands into United States Market, Launches U.S. Credit Card Program with MBNA America QUEBEC CITY, May 28 /CNW/ - Air Canada's award winning loyalty program, Aeroplan, today announced that it will launch a co-branded credit card program in the United States with MBNA America Bank, N.A. This long term agreement will allow U.S. residents who hold Aeroplan Platinum Plus, Preferred and Quantum credit cards to accumulate Aeroplan Miles that can be redeemed for reward travel. Cardholders will earn one Aeroplan Mile for every one dollar spent on eligible purchases. Full details of the program, including branding and promotional offers, will be announced on the occasion of the new credit card's launch later this summer. "We are very excited to enter into this partnership with MBNA America Bank, as Aeroplan expands Canada's leading loyalty program into the United States," said Aeroplan President and Chief Executive Officer, Rupert Duchesne, at Aeroplan's annual partner conference in Quebec City. "Today, as more than 80 of our quality partners gather to share our vision and plans for the future growth of Aeroplan, it is particularly fitting that we should welcome MBNA as a new partner in our U.S. expansion strategy. This initiative complements our strategy to offer Aeroplan members an ever-growing roster of quality partners through which they can earn Miles for reward travel," he added. "We are very pleased to partner with Aeroplan, recently ranked as the world's best frequent flyer program, as they expand into the U.S. market," said MBNA Chief Operating Officer, John Cochran. "MBNA is dedicated to providing the finest products and services to Aeroplan's customers." Aeroplan is Air Canada's award-winning frequent flyer program. In a recent poll of the world's most experienced air travellers conducted by OAG, Aeroplan was voted the world's best frequent flyer program. More than six million members, including approximately 400,000 in the United States, earn Aeroplan Miles toward reward travel to destinations served by Air Canada, its regional airline, Air Canada Jazz, and worldwide partner airlines comprising the Star Alliance network. Aeroplan Miles earned on Star Alliance flights count toward achieving top-tier membership status. In addition, members earn Miles through an extensive network of car rental companies, hotels, telephone companies, affinity credit card companies, and through all purchases on Canada's newest online travel site, Destina.ca. MBNA Corporation (NYSE: KRB), a bank holding company and parent of MBNA America Bank, N.A., a national bank, has more than USD$98 billion in managed loans. MBNA, the largest independent credit card lender in the world, also provides retail deposit, consumer loan, and insurance products. The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBSC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeansocabrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (Coco Reef) http://www.cocoreef.com/ (Coco Reef Resort & Spa) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************