Sidestep

SANTA CLARA, CA--SideStep (www.sidestep.com), an online travel innovator, today announced an alliance with Payless Car Rental (), a subsidiary of Avalon Global Group. The agreement will make Payless's inventory and website site available to a larger audience and help Payless to develop closer, more valuable relationships with a broader range of online customers.

Winner of the Forbes "Best of the Web" award, SideStep has been recognized by both consumers and the press as the most comprehensive, easy-to-use source for the Web's best travel deals. Payless, which features competitive pricing and excellent customer service, will provide SideStep customers with car rental bargains at more than 135 worldwide locations in 15 countries and territories. SideStep users will also enjoy direct access to the distinctive cars Payless features in many of its U.S. locations, vehicles like the Dodge Viper GTS, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and VW Beetle.

"Our alliance with SideStep will help us to reach a vast new group of online consumers," said Michael Harley, president and chief operating officer, Payless Car Rental. "In addition to expanding our reach, SideStep - by bringing travel buyers straight to - will help us to cultivate high value, long-term relationships with customers."

SideStep offers a rich selection of hotel rooms, flights and rental cars - including the largest selection of "Web-only" fares available online. The free service features more than 45,000 hotels, 585 different domestic and international carriers, and 2,800 rental car locations in its comprehensive offering. SideStep is the only online travel service that can dynamically translate search results into one of 27 different currencies, making it easier for people around the globe to comparison shop for travel. Once a selection is made, SideStep brings travel buyers directly to partners' sites to book their travel with brands they trust.

"We're looking forward to bringing Payless's great rates and strong service to SideStep's growing customer base," said Brian Barth, SideStep's CEO. "With franchise locations that range from San Francisco to Managua, Payless represents an excellent new choice for SideStep users in cities worldwide. "

SideStep is available for free through the SideStep website at www.sidestep.com.

About SideStep

Based in Santa Clara, CA, SideStep is an Internet infrastructure company that has developed technology that connects disparate, dynamic information sources in real time. The company's focus is the Internet's largest commerce sector - online websites and travel. SideStep enables travel providers to drive more bookings to their Web sites and provides consumers with a rich selection of flights, hotel rooms and rental cars - including the largest selection of Web-only fares available online. The company has partnerships with industry leaders such as Continental Airlines CAL, British Airways BAB, Thrifty Car Rental DTG, and Prime Hospitality PDQ. SideStep is a privately held company. For more information, visit www.sidestep.com.

About Payless Car Rental

Payless Car Rental is a privately held corporation headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida with over 135 worldwide franchise locations. Over the past 31 years, Payless has grown to an international company servicing major airports, resorts, metropolitan cities and suburban areas worldwide.

Phil Carpenter
408-235-1700 x102