Travelers Spending on Safety Despite Slowed Growth in Business Travel

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (September 8, 2008) - Business and leisure travelers are still willing to pay more for peace of mind despite a downturn in the economy and reported slowing of growth in business travel, reports Birmingham-based medical evacuation membership program Air Ambulance Card, LLC. The company reports positive growth in both new enrollments and renewals despite national reports of slowed growth in business travel and the travel industry as a whole.

"People who travel more than once or twice a year are still keenly aware of the financial and health risks they face,'" said Stan Bradley, executive vice-president of Air Ambulance Card, LLC. "In fact, the dramatic increase in fuel prices makes the idea of paying for a medical evacuation flight out of pocket even more frightening." The cost of a recent Air Ambulance Card transport was 21% higher than a similar transport one year ago. The increase is almost entirely attributed to rising fuel costs. For several years domestic air ambulance flights have averaged about $11,000. We expect that cost to increase to nearer $14,000. International flights costing well over $100,000 are becoming common. As overwhelming to families as the cost of a medical flight is the fact that payment must be made in advance.

Air Ambulance Card® provides travelers with prepaid hospital-to-hospital air ambulance service, domestically and abroad. The membership program offers services for a period of one year to families or individuals, and under corporate accounts. Air Ambulance Card memberships are available to residents of the U.S. and Canada and cost $195 per year for individuals and $295 per year for families. For more information visit www.AirAmbulanceCard.com.