For Immediate Release |  | Contact: |
CHICAGO - May 5, 2004 - With summer vacation just around the corner, families are ready to get on the road again, according to a survey conducted by CoolSavings, Inc. (OTC:BB CSAV), a leading online direct marketing and media company and sponsored by Thrifty Car Rental. The survey shows that the car is still the most popular way to travel during vacations. Out of all households, 80% said that they would take a vacation this year. Of those taking a vacation, 62% said that the car would be their primary mode of transportation. The survey showed that 25% will rent a car once they arrive at their final travel destination, however when looking only at air travelers, that number jumps to 55%. The high percentage of road travelers may be no surprise when you consider that 83% of families said that they plan to stay in the United States this year.
"A car offers travelers more freedom than any other mode of transportation," said Brian Carpenter, vice president of sales, marketing and advertising for Thrifty Car Rental. “Even if travelers arrive at their destination by air or rail, most still want a way to explore at their own pace and on their own schedule. Folks today are busy, and they want control over when and where they go."
Although 64% say that the predicted increase in gas prices would not affect their travel plans, 22% have decided to go a shorter distance. Of those renting a car, 53% say that the price is a key factor, compared to 31% who focus on the size of the vehicle.
"Travelers are always looking for ways to save money,” said Matt Moog, CEO of CoolSavings. “Most road travelers tell us they stock up on food and supplies before they go, so that they don’t have to buy when they get to their vacation destination. Many consumers are using the Internet as a valuable planning resource to do research, book travel and find coupons and discounts that they can use for the trip preparation and when they're on the road."
The survey is part of an ongoing series that CoolSavings conducts through their Web site on consumer attitudes toward spending and saving, and how costs affect purchase behavior. Consumers visit coolsavings.com to take advantage of valuable savings and information on brand-name stores, products and services.
CoolSavings conducted the online survey between March 31, 2004 and April 14, 2004. The survey sample comprises 2,380 unique responders. The margin of error is 2.0%.
About Thrifty
Thrifty Car Rental is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. Together with its corporately owned locations and those of its franchise owners, the Thrifty brand operates more than 1,100 locations in 64 countries.
About CoolSavings
CoolSavings is an online direct marketing and media company that provides smarter solutions to help marketers reach their target consumers. Combining a broad distribution network, sophisticated analytics and proprietary technology with superior customer service, we enable a wide variety of advertisers to identify and engage their best customers among our nearly 11.5 million active registered households.
CoolSavings is a registered trademark of CoolSavings, Inc. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release regarding CoolSavings' business that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the statements under "Business Outlook" and other statements regarding the CoolSavings' expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies. Where possible, such forward-looking statements have been identified by use of words such as “project”, "target," "forecast," "believe," "expects," and similar expressions. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, both general and specific to the matters discussed in this press release, may cause CoolSavings' actual results and performance to differ materially from the future results and performance expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, without limitation, CoolSavings’ to meet any debt repayment or equity redemption demands of its preferred stockholders, CoolSavings' ability to protect its patents, trademarks and propriety rights, the successful introduction of new products by CoolSavings, the ability to add new members, the ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly skilled personnel, and CoolSavings' ability to retain its advertisers. For further discussion of some of the risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results and performance to differ from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in CoolSavings' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the SEC. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, CoolSavings undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or any other reason.
