Continuing its drive to offer more value for its members, eBucks has signed up South Africa's leading car rental company as a new strategic partner.

From August 1, eBucks members will not only be able to use their eBucks to reserve a rental car through Avis, but they will also earn eBucks each time they choose to use the people who "try harder".

This partnership brings together two leaders in their respective fields. Avis, which was declared best car rental company worldwide by international publication Business Travel, was also voted South Africa's best car rental company in the annual Sunday Times/Markinor Top Brands Survey 2004. eBucks, which is South Africa's leading multi-partner awards programme with over 860 000 members across the country, took pole position in the financial services category for the second time in a row in the recent World Wide Worx Survey of South African Loyalty/Rewards Programmes.

eBucks already has 27 partners participating in its rewards programme, including the likes of First National Bank, Wesbank, RMB Private Bank, Look & Listen, Spec-Savers, Momentum Multiply, Arthur Kaplan Jewellers, The GardenShop and kalahari.net. Makro joined the programme in May this year.

Lezanne Human, eBucks CEO, explains that travel is a key area of focus for eBucks, as members spend a substantial amount of their eBucks in this sector.

"By bringing Avis on board, we're responding to a clear demand from our members," she says, adding that, with the advent of eBucks for Business, the demand for car rental through the programme is likely to increase even further.

This new partnership demonstrates eBucks intent to provide a service that's truly customer focused, providing more places to earn and spend eBucks.

From Avis' perspective, marketing director Liz Venter comments that the partnership will be of great value to their customers, as it provides them with more choice in terms of rewards.

She concludes that it's particularly gratifying to partner with a company that believes as strongly as Avis in the power of customer loyalty.

For more information visit www.eBucks.com

eBucks was launched in October 2000.

eBucks Partners include: FNB, First Link Insurance Brokers, OUTSurance, WesBank, RMB Private Bank, Look & Listen, The GardenShop, Spec-Savers, kalahari.net, The Golfers Club, Makro, Momentum Multiply and Arthur Kaplan Jewellers.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.