Visa International enhances platinum card perks

Visa International has enhanced its Visa Platinum Perks program at more than 500 retail outlets in the Philippines in a bid to increase its market share.

The program was first launched in April 2008, and is currently offered by Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, and the Union Bank of the Philippines. It was designed to provide cardholders with exclusive dining, retail, health and beauty privileges.

“We are committed to enhancing our premium offers and providing a better level of sophistication and exclusivity for Visa Platinum cardholders,” Bob Joubert, Visa country manager for the Philippines, said.

The program was enhanced with 45 new merchants that range from restaurants, gadget stores and even health and beauty establishments. These merchants have more than 500 outlets nationwide.

It has dining benefits as well as rebates and discounts, complimentary cocktails, food platters, desserts and special wine at selected bars and restaurants including Bar One at the Holiday Inn, Tapas Bar y Casa Armas, Embassy Cafeteria, and Embassy Cuisine, Mezze, People’s Palace, Sala Restaurant, Sala Bistro, Xin Tian Di at Crowne Plaza, and Makati Shangri-La restaurants including the Lobby Lounge, Shang Palace, Circles, Red, Conway’s, Inagiku, and Old Manila, Spices, Mi Piace, Nielsen’s, The Lobby, and The Bar & Pool Snack Bar of The Manila Peninsula.

Visa Platinum cardholders looking for shopping perks can also enjoy discounts and premium gifts from Bose, Power Mac Center, Ben Sherman, Dotdotdot, My Diamond, and Technomarine.

Cardholders interested in beauty and wellness offers can take advantage of the gift certificates, special packages and discounts available at the Belo Medical Group, Beverly Hills Medical Group, Clero Clinic of Makati, Gold’s Gym, Institut Santre, and Miladay.

The program is valid until the end of December. Cardholders must use their Philippine-issued Platinum Visa card at the participating merchants and fulfill the purchase requirements to avail of the wide array of promotional offers.

Visa International operates the world’s largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. It reportedly enjoys acceptance around the world and Visa/PLUS is one of the world’s largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries.