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Aviation Week Group Launches First Credit Card With Aviation-Themed Experiential Rewards; Unique Air and Space Experiences Designed for Aviation Aficionados

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

Aviation Week Group today announced the launch of the new Aviation Week(TM) Leading Edge(SM) Visa(R) card, the first credit card ever to offer an entire array of experience-based rewards for those with an interest in aviation. Aviation Week(TM) Leading Edge(SM) rewards will be focused on aviation, primarily unique air and space experiences most people only dream about.

This is the first card whose rewards are designed around aviation experiences. Never before have card members had the opportunity to earn points toward unique aviation and space experiences, including the chance to break the sound barrier in a MiG over Moscow, have a private lunch with a NASA astronaut or engage in an aerial dogfight over the Arizona desert. Card members can also choose to redeem their points for travel, cash back, and aviation-related merchandise and gift certificates. Additional experiential rewards will be added in the future.

Some of the initial special air and space adventure packages include:

-- Mig-29 Supersonic Adventure over Moscow

-- L-39 jet training experience over the Atlantic

-- Fighter combat aerial adventure in Arizona

-- Commercial flight simulator experience with FlightSafety International

-- Space Academy(R) and Space Camp(R) Experiences

-- Kennedy Space Center VIP Tours

-- Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Training Experience

-- Zero Gravity Adventure in Boeing 727 over the Gulf of Mexico

-- VIP Boeing Plant and Future of Flight Tours in Seattle

"We're very proud to launch the first and only credit card that provides numerous aviation and space-themed experiences for those with an interest in aviation, or anyone who's dreamed of enjoying the most unique experiences in flight," said Kenneth E. Gazzola, Aviation Week Group Executive Vice President/Publisher. "When we decided to extend the Aviation Week brand into credit cards, we knew the key was to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can be earned by cardmembers for rewards. Leveraging our leadership position in news, intelligence and analysis in aviation, aerospace and defense, we were able to partner, and will continue to seek new relationships, with those who could offer the most unique experiences in flight."

For more information on the Aviation Week(TM) Leading Edge(SM) card, including a list of these and other rewards, please visit www.aviationnow.com/leadingedgevisa, or call 1-888-503-4270.

The Aviation Week(TM) Leading Edge(SM) Visa(R) card will be issued by First National Bank of Omaha. According to George Schmelzel, First National Bank Senior Vice President, "The Aviation Week(TM) Leading Edge(SM) Visa(R) caters to a specific customer by offering a competitive credit card product with a platform of unique, aviation-themed aspirational rewards. We're proud to partner with Aviation Week to offer these special aerospace adventures that most people only dream about."

The concept and reward partner development in creating the Aviation Week(TM) Leading Edge(SM) Visa(R) card was co-managed by Aviation Week and Edgar, Dunn & Company (EDC), a global consultancy specializing in payment innovations for companies and financial institutions worldwide. EDC worked with Aviation Week to create a distinctly unique card program that would differentiate its branded card from the thousands of simple card-based reward programs on the market. EDC designed the core product and branded rewards platform of unique aviation experiences, as well as bringing together the key card partners, First National Bank of Omaha and Visa International. Working with Aviation Week, EDC scoured the world for aviation and space-related experiences, creating a "next gen" card rewards program unlike any other payment product on the market today.

About First National Bank Omaha

First National of Nebraska is one of the largest bank holding companies headquartered west of the Mississippi River. First National and its affiliates have $16 billion in managed assets and over 7,000 employees located across the United States. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

About Aviation Week Group

Aviation Week Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation and aerospace industry, and includes publications such as Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aviation Daily, Overhaul & Maintenance, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, ShowNews, Homeland Security, The Weekly of Business Aviation, Business & Commercial Aviation, Defense Technology International, and the World Aviation Directory & Aerospace Database. The group's web portal, http://www.aviationnow.com, offers the industry's most reliable news, information, intelligence and features, and its Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) at http://www.aviationweek.com/awin is the industry's most integrated business tool for managers, business developers, buyers and technical professionals across the entire aviation and aerospace field.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 300 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2004 were $5.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Source: Business Wire

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