Morgan Stanley Adds Internet Access Option to Bolster the Discover

Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter & Co. is adding an Internet access option to its Discover card package.

For $18.95 a month, cardholders can surf the Internet and get discounts when using their cards to buy certain items on-line.

Discover Connection Internet Service is an alliance with EarthLink Network, an Internet service provider in Pasadena, Calif., and Planet Direct, an Andover, Mass., Internet marketing company.

The initiative is part of a larger strategy to raise the profile of the Discover brand. Several Morgan Stanley offerings-such as the on-line securities service Discover Brokerage Direct, Discover banking center, and Discover certificates of deposit-are part of this branding effort.

"We are trying to put the Discover name on a lot of different things we offer," said spokeswoman Beth Metzler.

Colleen Zambole, vice president of electronic commerce for the Discover card unit of Novus Services Inc., said the Internet service offers more than some competitors': unlimited access to the Net, free e-mail boxes, and a personalized home page. The home page supplies local weather information and other data specific to the cardholder's city or region.

A growing number of banks are offering similar access to the Internet, linking it to checking and other products. The offering is seen as a way to promote on-line banking and build fee income.

Discover Connection is working to build a base of on-line merchants that give discounts to Discover cardholders.

So far, only Universal Studios Backlot and Music Boulevard have signed up.

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