NORWALK, Conn., Aug 17, 2005 - With the bell set to ring on another school year, electronics and décor for the dorm are some of the top trends for students eager to get a head-start on learning success, according to the experts at Shoppers Advantage.

This year, the average family will spend $527.08 for back-to-school - with total spending expected to reach some $17.6 billion - according to the National Retail Federation. Electronics and computer-related equipment will fuel this year's growth. Total spending on home computers, laptops, PDAs, or calculators, is estimated to increase by more than $1.5 billion this year ($3.82 billion vs. $2.06 billion), rebounding after a sharp decline in 2005.

"School is almost back in session and college campuses will soon be buzzing" said Michael Lombardo, director of Shoppers Advantage, a leading membership-based online shop-at-home service. "Students across the nation are logging into the hottest back-to-school trends, seeking the latest gadgets to dial-up new success in the classroom."

The experts at Shoppers Advantage developed a list of the hottest, must-have back-to-school gadgets:



Electronics:

• Computers and printers … Today's models are faster, sleeker and boast lower prices - and they are continuing to evolve. Refurbished models offer outstanding value, especially for second or third generation computers. And the wireless home and dorm is finally here - simpler to install at low prices.


• MP3 Players & accessories, especially the Apple iPods … these keep students rockin' all the way to class, and are music to the ears of students, family or friends. MP3 players are sleeker, more compact and user-friendly than ever. The sound quality is outstanding. Get in the back-to-school groove.


• Digital Cameras and Video …New versions sport even higher resolution - and 4 mega pixel is the value entry point. Digital video allows you to record right onto DVD media. The latest generation of cameras is more compact and offers greater resolution.


• Portable DVD Players … the perfect study break.


• PDA's … are great for every highly-organized students to keep up with class assignments, school dates and the fall football schedule!


• Flat Screen TVs for College … Flat-screen technology has pushed prices down, with 15-inch models with DVD players under $400 and 20-inch without DVD under $300.

Dorm Decor:

• Futons … Fabulously popular and all the rage at campuses nationwide


• Mini refrigerators & vintage style Pepsi vending machines


• Portable grills, smoothie makers and blenders.

About Shoppers Advantage

Shoppers Advantage (1-800-526-4848) is a leading membership-based, toll-free/online shop-at-home service, boasting the buying power of more than a million members nationwide. Shoppers Advantage provides valuable benefits and low prices on an expansive database of high-quality products from more than 1,200 manufacturers, including popular name brands such as Sharp, GE, Hewlett Packard, Fisher Price and AT&T. Shoppers Advantage offers member confidence in buying with a 200 percent Low Price Guarantee (if a lower price is found within 60 days of purchase, Shoppers Advantage will refund double the price difference), 60-day product return policy if you don't like the product, and product warranty extension for up to two years from date of purchase while membership is active. Shoppers Advantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance, value-added checking and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

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This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. These statements include, but are not limited to, discussions regarding industry outlook, Affinion's expectations regarding the performance of its business, its liquidity and capital resources, its guidance for 2011, the consummation of the acquisition of Prospectiv and the impact to Affinion's business and the other non-historical statements in the discussion and analysis. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "continues," "estimates," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs only as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks related to general economic and business conditions and international and geopolitical events, a downturn in the credit card industry or changes in the techniques of credit card issuers, industry trends, foreign currency exchange rates, the effects of a decline in travel on the Company's travel fulfillment business, termination or expiration of one or more agreements with its marketing partners or a reduction of the marketing of its services by one or more of its marketing partners, the Company's substantial leverage, restrictions contained in its debt agreements, its inability to compete effectively, and other risks identified and discussed from time to time in Affinion's reports filed with the SEC, including Affinion's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are strongly encouraged to review carefully the full cautionary statements described in these reports. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances.