MasterCard Teams with Southwest Airlines and Starwood Hotels to Offer Travelers All-Star Promotions with the NBA

Promotions Offer Cardholders the Chance to Win Trips to NBA All-Star 2009 and Other NBA Prizes
Purchase, NY. - MasterCard Worldwide today announced two promotions that give cardholders the chance to experience the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix when they book travel on Southwest Airlines* or book a Better Tomorrows™ Offer and pay for their stay at Starwood Hotels & Resorts with their MasterCard® card**.

“MasterCard is delighted to give our cardholders the chance to receive very special rewards when they are making travel arrangements during this holiday season,” said Rob Sheets, Senior Vice President, U.S. Merchant Relations, MasterCard Worldwide. “Southwest Airlines passengers and Starwood Hotels & Resorts guests now have the opportunity to win VIP experiences and tickets to one of the sporting world’s most exciting events, the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, simply by paying with their MasterCard cards.”

“NBA All-Star is a marquee event and for one week, the basketball world will converge in Phoenix for a celebration of the game and its greatest players,” said Mark Tatum, Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the NBA. “We are delighted to partner with MasterCard, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Southwest Airlines to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans to attend and experience the excitement of NBA All-Star 2009 in Phoenix.”


How Southwest Airlines Passengers can Fly for a Chance to Win

MasterCard cardholders who book air travel with a valid MasterCard debit or credit card on www.southwest.com/nba between Dec. 5 and Dec. 31, 2008 will be automatically entered for the chance to win one of 30 grand prize packages, which include a trip to NBA All-Star 2009, and other NBA-themed prizes.**

“Low fares and the chance to win a trip to the NBA All-Star 2009 game are great reasons to book travel with Southwest Airlines this winter" said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. “You never know when that flight away for the holidays or a quick getaway could also take you to NBA All-Star 2009 or enable you to win other great prizes.”

Thirty grand prize winners will be selected to win a trip for two to Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2009, which includes round-trip air transportation on Southwest Airlines, standard double-occupancy hotel accommodations for three nights, two tickets to NBA All-Star Saturday Night, the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, and the 2009 NBA All-Star Game Reception, as well as a $200 MasterCard prepaid gift card and NBA merchandise.**

How to Stay for a Chance to Win with Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Between Nov. 17 and Dec. 31, 2008, MasterCard cardholders who use a valid MasterCard debit or credit card to book and pay for a U.S. hotel stay through Starwood’s Better Tomorrows™ Offer will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip to NBA All-Star 2009 or other great NBA prizes.** In addition, with Better TomorrowsTM, for every night guests stay with Starwood, the next night can be 50 percent off when booked at www.starwoodhotels.com/MasterCard between now and March 31, 2009.

One Grand Prize winner will be selected to enjoy a four day, three night trip for four to Phoenix, Arizona for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2009, including round-trip coach air transportation, two standard double-occupancy hotel accommodations at a Starwood Hotels & Resorts property, four tickets to NBA All-Star Saturday Night and the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, along with the opportunity to meet a NBA player or Legend.**

“This promotion with MasterCard is a great enhancement to our Better Tomorrows offer – giving our customers not only the opportunity to save on their hotel stays, but a chance to attend one of next year’s biggest NBA events, the 2009 NBA All-Star Game,” said Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president of Distribution and Loyalty Marketing for Starwood.

Five First Prize winners will receive a NBA-themed prize package, including a basketball autographed by an NBA All-Star 2009 player and a pair of tickets to a 2009 NBA regular season game. In addition, 100 cardholders will win a 2009 NBA All-Star T-Shirt.**

Southwest Airlines Sweepstakes disclaimer:

** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open to all legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States, 21 years and older as of December 31, 2008. Sweepstakes starts on 12/5/08 and runs through 12/31/08. Complete rules and alternate form of entry at www.southwest.com/nba. Void where prohibited.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Sweepstakes disclaimer:

** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void outside of the (50) U.S. & DC & where prohibited. International transactions & purchases at non-participating properties ineligible. Starts 11/17/08. Ends 12/31/08. Restrictions apply. Visit www.starwoodhotels.com/MasterCard for Official Rules, how to enter without purchase, participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts Brands, & complete details.