Virgin America Taps App-Based Car Rental Service - Silvercar

SAN FRANCISCO, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the award-winning California-based airline, announces today that it has partnered with Silvercar, the company revolutionizing the car rental experience with its fleet of WiFi-enabled, premium Audi A4s, to offer Virgin America's Elevate members a seamless and connected travel experience from air to ground.  Beginning today, Elevate frequent flyer members can earn 2,500 Elevate points on their first and fourth Silvercar rentals – plus four points for every $1 spent with Silvercar.  As the only airline headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Virgin America has built a loyal following of frequent flyers for its tech-forward amenities, including WiFi, power outlets and touch-screen personal entertainment at every seat – on every flight.  Using Virgin America's fleetwide WiFi, travelers can now reserve a Silvercar via the Silvercar app or at Silvercar.com, and upon arrival at the destination airport, simply scan a QR code located on the windshield of the Silvercar to unlock the vehicle – and drive to their final destination.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

"Our discerning travelers expect access to the latest conveniences to fit their busy lifestyles," said Luanne Calvert, Vice President of Marketing Communications at Virgin America.  "Our new partnership with Silvercar allows us to provide our guests with a more high-tech, high-style and connected travel experience whether they're on the ground or 35,000 feet in the air."

The new partnership with Silvercar will provide Virgin America's guests with more options for ground travel during their business trip or leisure getaway.  Silvercar operates a rental fleet comprised of only the latest model premium Audis – 2013 A4s (in silver, of course).  Through the use of Silvercar's mobile app (iOS or Android), travelers can take control of their rental experience and bypass paper contracts and lines all together. All Silvercar rentals include free in-car WiFi, Sirius XM satellite radio and Bluetooth. Upon return of the Silvercar, travelers receive their receipt on their smartphone – before even boarding their Virgin America return flight home.

"We have a great affinity for Virgin America as they offer a tech-friendly experience for travelers that goes above and beyond the norm," said Luke Schneider, CEO of Silvercar.  "Silvercar was created to make car rental and travel not only easier, but an enjoyable experience. Virgin America does the same for air travel."

Known for outstanding service, beautifully designed cabins and unrivalled in-flight entertainment, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past five years. The airline's new fleet offers custom-designed mood-lit cabins and amenities like fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and personal entertainment at every seat. The Red platform offers guests their own seatback touch-screen TV, with 25 films, live TV, a custom-curated You Tube channel, Google Maps, video games, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, a 4000 song library and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a cocktail or snack from their seatback any time during a flight.

Virgin America and Silvercar share markets in Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.  Silvercar first launched on January 14, 2013, at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport with Austin as its second location following in March.  To learn more about Silvercar or book a reservation with your Virgin America Elevate account, visit www.silvercar.com/partners/virgin.

Last summer, Virgin America launched a suite of enhancements to its Elevate® frequent flyer program - including Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver status levels that offer perks such as: priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; points earning bonuses; free checked bag allowances; enhanced digital/social rewards; private discounts; an expanded advance purchase upgrade window for the airline's exclusive eight-seat First Class; complimentary space-available upgrades to the carrier's premium Main Cabin Select service; and complimentary access to the best seat assignments within Main Cabin. In December 2012, Virgin America opened its first airport lounge - the Virgin America Loft at LAX, which offers guests a sleek and modern retreat, with a selection of amenities and a space that reflects the look and feel of the airline's mood-lit aircraft and overall design aesthetic.

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft: www.virginamerica.com/vx/photos.

Broadcast quality video b-roll can also be downloaded at: www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-company.html

About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'Readers' Choice' Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'World's Best' Awards. In April 2013, Virgin America was also ranked No. 1 performing airline among 14 major U.S. carriers rated for 2012 in the Airline Quality Rating, a joint research project conducted annually by faculty at Wichita State University and Purdue University that looks at airlines' on-time performance and baggage handling, involuntary denied boardings and the customer complaint rates. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport (SFO)'s sleek and sustainable new Terminal 2. The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat. Virgin America offers Gogo™ WiFi on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the North American skies via the touch-screen Red™ platform. Since 2007, the airline has expanded to 21 airport destinations and has created 2,600 new jobs. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Washington D.C. (IAD), Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland, and Washington D.C.'s Reagan National (DCA).  San Jose, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) on May 21 and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) on June 6.  For more: www.virginamerica.com

About Silvercar: With a mission to reimagine the airport car rental experience, Silvercar launched its first operation at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in January 2013 and its second operation in Austin in March 2013. Silvercar offers a single make-and-model combination – the 2013 Audi A4 (in silver, of course) – using Web, wireless and mobile technologies to eliminate the friction points in the car rental process. An ever-increasing set of custom settings in a traveler's Silvercar profile allows a personalized experience to follow renters from car to car. A privately held company, Austin-based Silvercar is initially funded by $11.2 million in venture capital investment, led by Austin Ventures and including CrunchFund, SV Angel, and tech industry success-spotters Chris Dixon and Dave Morin. For more information, visit silvercar.com.

*Terms and conditions: Now through 11/30/2013, members can earn additional bonus of 2,500 Elevate points after booking & completing their 1st rental. Members can earn another additional bonus of 2,500 Elevate points after booking & completing their 4th rental.  4th Rental must start on or before 11/30/2013 to qualify. Please allow 4-6 week for points to post to members account.

SOURCE Virgin America