Freetrip.com Road Travel Service Introduces Inexpensive Alternative To Onboard Vehicle Navigation Systems

FreeTrip.com, Inc., announces Personal Trip Tracker, an innovative on-the-road information service feature to its road trip planner, available to its Inside Track Club members at no additional fee. This new feature allows motorists who are driving en-route on a trip to get current road advisory and other information from the Internet via personal third party at minimal cost and effort.

Alexandria, VA, Nov 19, 2002-- FreeTrip.com, Inc., the owner and operator of several road travel websites, announces Personal Trip Tracker, an innovative on-the-road information service feature to its road trip planner, available to Inside Track Club members at www.insidetrackclub.com.

This new feature allows motorists who are driving en-route on a trip to get current road advisory and other information from the Internet via personal third party at minimal cost and effort.

Tom Bouve, Vice President, states that The objective of the Inside Track Club is to provide highly useful road trip information to travelers. The Personal Trip Tracker allows that information to be accessed by motorists actually on their trip and accessed easily, at a reasonable cost and without special equipment. Usage of the Personal Trip Tracker is free with club membership ($19.95/yr). Low-cost fixed-fee roadside assistance is also provided to members".

Bouve adds "Current on-board GPS and en-route concierge systems can cost upwards of $500 a year plus equipment installation fees, putting them beyond the reach of the average driver. We at the Inside Track Club also think all drivers deserve the security and convenience of on-the-road information because its truly needed in todays environment. Thats why weve created the Personal Trip Tracker, where current road travel information can be obtained by the driver easily and inexpensively while en-route.

How It Works:

An Inside Track Club (ITC) member creates a trip itinerary with its Trip Tracker Number using the ITC Trip Planner. Then, while driving on the trip, when new information is needed about the road ahead, the driver makes a phone call (cell or landline) to a personal third party (a friend, family member or business associate). The driver gives just the Trip Tracker Number and approximate current itinerary position.

A friend who is contacted by the driver, for example, can then access insidetrackclub.com , and key in the Trip Tracker Number and current position. In seconds, the drivers entire itinerary is displayed on the friends computer screen, with current location clearly marked.

Now, with the drivers trip route on the screen, the friend can modify the itinerary by selecting various down-the-road" options and address immediate questions and needs the driver may have about the road ahead, such as:

"Traffic is bad. Im not going to be able to drive straight through to Dallas. See if there is a
moderately-priced hotel 3 or 4 hours ahead ...If so, please make a reservation for me."

"I'll be in Lexington KY in 4 hours. Check Lexingtons weather and the road condition
report for Kentucky and see if snow accumulation will cause road closings by then "

"Im having transmission problems. Are there any steep grades ahead?"

Bouve states Its not rocket science, but the triad of our unique road itinerary technology, the telephone and access to our Internet website by personal third parties creates a new level of communication for drivers at minimal expense and effort. No need for special equipment, PDAs or high monthly fees. And in addition to providing travel information and emergency aid to drivers on the road, it gives a sense of involvement, control and peace of mind to all parties. Thats important in todays world". Bouve also noted that there was a fee-based concierge call center service available for drivers who needed information right away and could not locate any personal third party.