Search
 

Oldest Card Reward Program Turns 25 This Month

ORLANDO, Fla. - The oldest card reward program in the world, established between the American Automobile Association and Visa USA, turned 25 this month. "The AAA Visa card was the first credit card experience for a lot of AAA members," says Scott Denman, Managing Director for AAA Financial Services. "Many...

By Staff Writer | Updated on November 04, 2003

ORLANDO, Fla. – The oldest card reward program in the world, established between the American Automobile Association and Visa USA, turned 25 this month. “The AAA Visa card was the first credit card experience for a lot of AAA members,” says Scott Denman, Managing Director for AAA Financial Services. “Many people had department store credit cards but not the bank-issued credit cards we are familiar with today.” The AAA/Visa credit card program was launched in 1978, offering the first affinity, bank-issued credit card to AAA members. At the time, the credit card industry itself was in its infancy. The AAA/Visa program introduced many AAA clubs to credit card payment systems and direct mail marketing. AAA noted that the popularity of affinity credit cards and the AAA/Visa program proves the association was on the right track in 1978. In the past quarter century, the program has grown from 15,000 accounts with $5 million in outstanding balances to 3.3 million accounts with nearly $4 billion in outstanding balances. “For 25 years, AAA and Visa have grown their relationship from a single product idea into a comprehensive partnership spanning multiple business lines and audience segments,” said Fran Schall, Executive Vice President of sales and integrated solutions for Visa USA. “I believe we’ve just begun to scratch the surface of what we can offer our customers.”

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to CUTimes.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited CUTimes.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical CUTimes.com information including comprehensive product and service provider listings via the Marketplace Directory, CU Careers, resources from industry leaders, webcasts, and breaking news, analysis and more with our informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and CU Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including Law.com and GlobeSt.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

Credit Union Times

Join Credit Union Times

Don’t miss crucial strategic and tactical information necessary to run your institution and better serve your members. Join Credit Union Times now!

  • Free unlimited access to Credit Union Times' trusted and independent team of experts for extensive industry news, conference coverage, people features, statistical analysis, and regulation and technology updates.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Credit Union Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including TreasuryandRisk.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Credit Union Times

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.