For many, a shopping trip to London must include a visit to Harrods, which is why Visa's decision to tie up with the iconic store is particularly lucrative.
The partnership offers Visa Infinite cardholders in the Gulf the chance to receive the Knightsbridge store's exclusive Black Rewards card - normally only available to customers spending £10,000 (Dh56,723) annually - without spending a dirham.
The card offers the highest level of benefits from the store's rewards programme, including Harrods' exclusive personal shopping service, special discount days, complimentary alterations and two hours of free parking. To top it off, Black Rewards cardholders receive £100 every time they spend £500.
Maysara Ghadban Traboulsi, the head of marketing and communications Middle East for Visa, says: "We know that Visa Infinite Cardholders in this region have a real affinity towards Harrods - in fact, it ranks among the top 10 merchants for the region."
For more information, go to www.visainfinitecard.com/harrods.
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Emirates NBD, the nation's largest bank by assets, has teamed up with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce a new credit card combining the features of a Visa card with the RTA's NOL card - the first product of its kind in the Middle East.
The Go4it credit card allows customers to shop and use the card as a NOL card - a travel card that can be used on the Metro, buses, water taxis and parking metres across Dubai.
The cardholder simply swipes the card at the ticket entrance and the fare will be deducted. Not only that, anytime the NOL account falls below a certain amount, the card automatically tops it up with either Dh50, Dh100 or Dh200 - a figure decided by the customer at registration. The card can also top up a cardholder's Salik account.
To apply for the Go4it Gold card, which also offers a raft of rewards, loyalty points and lifestyle benefits, customers must have a minimum monthly salary of Dh5,000 and pay a Dh99 annual fee.
The Go4it Platinum card requires a minimum monthly income of Dh10,000 and carries a Dh199 annual fee. The card also comes with complimentary life insurance cover of up to Dh100,000, travel insurance of up to Dh1 million and Lifestyle Protector Insurance up to Dh300,000.
For more information, visit www.emiratesnbd.com.
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Mashreq Platinum Credit Cardholders can enjoy a range of pampering sessions thanks to a series of exclusive wellness offers being offered by the bank.
From complimentary membership to health clubs to discounts on spa treatments, weight management programmes, yoga sessions, skincare clinics and even health screenings, customers can use their card to get into tip-top shape.
For more information, go to cwww.mashreq.com/wellnessoffers.
