Cardholders Earn Delta Miles for Everyday Purchases with No Mileage Cap

ATLANTA, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunTrust Banks, Inc., (NYSE: STI) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced consumers and businesses will soon be able to earn Delta miles on all signature-based purchases made with a new SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card, launching June 22. This will be the first time Delta has offered mileage-earning opportunities through a check card, and is the first co-branded check card relationship for SunTrust.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090615/CL32732 )

The SunTrust SkyMiles Check Cards meet a growing demand among Delta and SunTrust clients for a check card that earns airline miles. It also reinforces SunTrust's pledge to help clients with responsible financial management through its 'Live Solid. Bank Solid' campaign.

'Today, more than ever, consumers are looking for ways to better control their finances and make smart purchasing decisions,' said Hugh Gallagher, SunTrust's senior vice president for deposit product management. 'The SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card encourages consumers and businesses alike to spend wisely while earning Delta miles. We're very pleased to partner with Delta on this great product.'

For every purchase made with an authorized signature, cardholders earn miles that can be redeemed for Award Travel to nearly 400 destinations Delta and its partner airlines serve across the world. There is no mileage-earning cap with a SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card so cardholders can earn unlimited miles. Now in its 28th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry.

'Our SkyMiles members have told us they want a mileage-earning check card, particularly in these challenging economic times,' said Jeff Robertson, Delta's vice president of loyalty programs. 'SunTrust is a strong banking partner that matches our customer base in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. These new cards provide our members with additional options and value while strengthening our overall portfolio of card offerings.'

Starting at just $20, the SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card features the lowest annual fees of any competing airline check card rewards program, and offers the convenience and security of a SunTrust Visa Check Card.

Three cards will be available - two for consumers and one for small- to medium-sized businesses:

• SkyMiles Classic Check Card - consumers earn one mile for every $2 purchased and 2,500 bonus miles for the first signature purchase.