The King And I: MasterCard, US Air, Palmer Combine For Promo

By Jon Show, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

MasterCard is running a promotion that ties in its corporate relationship with Arnold Palmer and its US Airways credit card. The promo, which began January 5 and runs until February 15, allows people who buy plane tickets at USAir.com using their airline-branded MasterCard to enter in a contest that awards a grand prize of a five-day trip to the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. The prize includes airfare, VIP tournament tickets and a meeting with Palmer, an amateur pilot. Two first-place prizes consist of a three-day trip to play Bay Hill, the Orlando course that hosts the tournament. Twenty-five people will win pin flags autographed by Palmer. MasterCard also operates a special cardholder tent at the tournament. Delta is the official airline of the PGA Tour, but only offers American Express credit cards in the U.S.