Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC and Chase Launch the Marathon Platinum MasterCard from Chase

Business Wire, August 27, 2003

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2003

New credit card offers Marathon customers valuable rebates toward

free Marathon gasoline

Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP) and Chase today proudly unveiled the Marathon(R) Platinum MasterCard(R), an exciting, new co-branded credit card offering from Chase. This new credit card allows cardmembers to earn rewards for purchases at more than 3,800 Marathon brand locations throughout the Midwest and the Southeast portions of the country.

For a 60-day introductory period, the Marathon Platinum MasterCard will earn a generous 10 percent rebate on all Marathon purchases made with the card, including gasoline, service repairs and convenience store items -- and a five percent rebate on all Marathon purchases after the introductory period. Additionally, cardholders will earn a one percent rebate on all other purchases made at more than 30 million other locations where MasterCard is accepted.

Also, cardmembers do not have to wait to reap the benefits of rewards. The valuable rebates earned by cardmembers will automatically be credited to the next month's statement to be applied toward future Marathon purchases made with the card. There is no annual fee for the first year, and with just nine Marathon purchases throughout the year, the low $20 fee is waived for the coming year. Marathon and Chase are also offering the option to personalize the card by choosing from two different stylish designs. And, cardmembers will receive the superior benefits associated with MasterCard platinum credit cards, such as auto rental insurance coverage, travel accident insurance, purchase protection and more.

"We are eager to reward our Marathon brand customers' loyalty with this exciting new credit card offer," said Gary R. Heminger, MAP President. "Chase's reputation for quality financial services mirrors our Marathon brand's commitment to customer satisfaction. This co-brand card combines the strengths of our brand with one of the world's largest credit card issuers to provide maximum convenience and consumer benefit."

"We always look to partner with strong brands when developing valuable products for the marketplace," says Rajive Johri, executive vice president of marketing for Chase's credit card division. "In this case we will help make the Marathon brand even stronger by offering its customers one of the richest rebate programs in the gas card category."

Consumers can apply for the Marathon Platinum MasterCard from Chase at 1-800-FILL-IT-UP, or online at www.chase.com/marathon.

About MAP - www.mapllc.com

Based in Findlay, Ohio, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP) is the nation's sixth largest refiner with 935,000 barrels-per-day capacity in its seven-refinery system. MAP is 62 percent owned by Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) and 38 percent owned by Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH). MAP supplies petroleum products to about 3,800 Marathon branded retail outlets throughout the Midwest and Southeast U.S.

About Chase

Chase's credit card portfolio, issued and owned by Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., has more than 29 million accounts and more than $51 billion in outstandings. Chase is the fourth largest credit card issuer in the United States, and its joint venture with First Data Corporation is the largest merchant acquirer in the U.S. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $803 billion and operations in more than 50 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and businesses, financial transaction processing, investment management, private banking and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase is headquartered in New York and serves more than 30 million consumer customers nationwide, and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients. Information about JPMorgan Chase is available on the internet at www.jpmorganchase.com.