ATLANTA, June 15, 2009 - SunTrust Banks, Inc., (NYSE: STI) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced consumers and businesses will soon be able to earn Delta miles on all signature-based purchases made with a new SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card, launching June 22. This will be the first time Delta has offered mileage-earning opportunities through a check card, and is the first co-branded check card relationship for SunTrust.

The SunTrust SkyMiles Check Cards meet a growing demand among Delta and SunTrust clients for a check card that earns airline miles. It also reinforces SunTrust’s pledge to help clients with responsible financial management through its “Live Solid. Bank Solid” campaign.

“Today, more than ever, consumers are looking for ways to better control their finances and make smart purchasing decisions,” said Hugh Gallagher, SunTrust’s senior vice president for deposit product management. “The SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card encourages consumers and businesses alike to spend wisely while earning Delta miles. We’re very pleased to partner with Delta on this great product.”

For every purchase made with an authorized signature, cardholders earn miles that can be redeemed for Award Travel to nearly 400 destinations Delta and its partner airlines serve across the world. There is no mileage-earning cap with a SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card so cardholders can earn unlimited miles. Now in its 28th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry.

“Our SkyMiles members have told us they want a mileage-earning check card, particularly in these challenging economic times,” said Jeff Robertson, Delta’s vice president of loyalty programs. “SunTrust is a strong banking partner that matches our customer base in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. These new cards provide our members with additional options and value while strengthening our overall portfolio of card offerings.”

Starting at just $20, the SunTrust SkyMiles Check Card features the lowest annual fees of any competing airline check card rewards program, and offers the convenience and security of a SunTrust Visa Check Card.

Three cards will be available – two for consumers and one for small- to medium-sized businesses:

• SkyMiles Classic Check Card - consumers earn one mile for every $2 purchased and 2,500 bonus miles for the first signature purchase. The annual Card fee is $20.
• SkyMiles Platinum Check Card - consumers earn one mile for every $1 purchased, 5,000 bonus miles for the first signature purchase and a complimentary Delta Sky Club Day Pass valued at $50. The annual Card fee is $55.
• SkyMiles Business Check Card - businesses earn one mile for every $1 purchased, 5,000 bonus miles for the first signature purchase and a complimentary Delta Sky Club Day Pass valued at $50. The annual Card fee is $55.

Beginning June 22, consumers can open SunTrust checking accounts with the new SkyMiles Check Card. Existing SunTrust consumer and business checking clients can also upgrade their existing check cards to the SkyMiles Check Card. For more information on the SunTrust SkyMiles Check Cards, consumers may call 1-877-SUNTRUST to speak with a representative or visit a local SunTrust branch.

About SunTrust Banks, Inc.
SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. As of March 31, 2009, SunTrust had total assets of $179.1 billion and total deposits of $119 billion. The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high- growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels. The Company also serves clients in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services. Through various subsidiaries the Company provides mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, equipment leasing and capital markets services. SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com

About Delta Air Lines
The award-winning Delta SkyMiles® program offers members multiple mileage-earning opportunities when flying Delta, Delta Shuttle®, the Delta Connection® carriers, Delta AirElite® and other SkyTeam® airlines. Additional mileage-building opportunities are offered through more than 100 partners such as the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, participating hotels, car rental companies, the SkyMiles Store, restaurants, SkyMilesShopping.com, floral and gift retailers and more. Now in its 28th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. It was named "Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program" for 2007 and 2008 by readers of Executive Traveler magazine and "Best Frequent Flyer Program" for 2006 and 2007 by Business Traveler magazine.

Delta Air Lines is the world’s No. 1 airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 382 destinations in 71 countries and serves more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta’s marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta‘s more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.
 

Terms and Conditions
SunTrust  SkyMiles® Check Cards: The annual fee is $20 for the SunTrust SkyMiles® Consumer Classic Check Card and $55 for the SunTrust SkyMiles® Consumer Platinum Check Card and SunTrust SkyMiles® Business Check Card. One-time Enrollment Bonus is 5,000 miles for the SunTrust SkyMiles® Consumer Platinum and Business Check Cards and 2,500 miles for the SunTrust SkyMiles® Consumer Classic Check Card. One-time Enrollment Bonus Miles will be awarded after the first use of your SunTrust SkyMiles® Check Card for a signature-based purchase. Please allow 6-8 weeks for Bonus Miles to be credited to your SkyMiles® account. Enrollment Bonus is only available to new SunTrust SkyMiles® Check Card clients and cannot be combined with any other enrollment offer.. All  SkyMiles® program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit www.delta.com/skymiles. The SunTrust SkyMiles® Check Cards are issued by SunTrust Banks, Inc., and the Cards are available in AL, AR, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, WV, VA and DC.. Offers and benefits subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. SunTrust SkyMiles® Check Cards are available with any SunTrust personal or business checking account. Only signature-based purchases qualify for rewards. Cash advances, ATM transactions and purchases made with a PIN do not qualify. All reward programs subject to change without prior notification. Earned rewards may be lost if customers choose to switch check card reward programs. SunTrust Bank, Member FDIC. ©2009 SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust is a federally registered service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc. Live Solid. Bank Solid. is a service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc.