New Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Visa Card to offer travel and lifestyle benefits targeted at Millennials and Gen-Zs
HONG KONG – Following the success of the Marriott Bonvoy The Best Shinhan Card launched earlier this year, Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, announces the launch of its second co-branded card with Shinhan Card and Visa in Korea – the Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card.
Touted as a ‘next-gen’ credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card is a new offering aimed at the younger generation or the ‘MZ generation’ – a term more commonly used in Korea – that provides more lifestyle benefits, and greater points earning opportunities across daily spends.
“Following the successful launch of the Marriott Bonvoy The Best Shinhan Card, we are delighted to offer a new co-brand credit card targeted at the growing MZ generation,” said Bart Buiring, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Our research suggests that the younger generation is already leading the travel recovery. With this new launch, cardholders can enjoy the world of benefits across our 7,900 global hotel portfolio, including exclusive experiences of Marriott Bonvoy when they embark on their travels whether at home or internationally.”
Elite Status made easier coupled with more lifestyle benefits
Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card cardholders are automatically awarded Silver Elite status when they sign up. And with food and beverage a priority for many millennials and Gen Zs, cardholders can exclusively enjoy complimentary beverages at participating hotels across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in South Korea, up to four times per year. They are also able to access selected airport lounges anywhere in the world twice a year. Cardholders can also earn Elite Night Credits based on spends within the account year that would allow them to step up to the next Elite status tier even faster.
Accelerated Marriott Bonvoy Points Earning Opportunities
A key feature of the card includes the opportunity for cardholders to earn 50% bonus points on everyday spend across all categories. Additionally, cardholders are able to enjoy 4 times accelerated point earnings for spends on rooms, dining and spa facilities at participating hotels and resorts across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. All points earned can be redeemed for free nights and other Marriott Bonvoy benefits globally. In Asia Pacific, Members can now also earn and redeem points at participating hotel restaurants and bars without a stay, which further expands opportunities to earn or redeem points. Certain features and benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card noted above are subject to cardholders meeting certain spend requirements, and additional terms and conditions apply.
“Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Marriott Bonvoy The Best Shinhan Card was well received by customers in South Korea when it launched earlier this year,” said Seokchang Lee, Vice President, Pay Platform Group, Shinhan Card. “We are excited to present our latest product that caters to the younger MZ generation. This group of customers see hotels as more than places offering accommodation, but also venues offering exciting dining and lifestyle spaces of their preference. With international borders reopening, we hope that new customers will take advantage of the great travel benefits that come when they use the Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card for their daily spend.”
Patrick Storey, President of Visa Korea, said, “Visa is a trusted and essential travel companion that lets customers pay anywhere in the world. With the Tap to Pay feature installed, Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card customers can make fast and secure payments with a simple tap at all Visa merchants as well as for transportation services in major cities across the world.”
“We are delighted to provide our customers in South Korea with more opportunities to explore the world with Marriott Bonvoy The Classic Shinhan Card,” Duke Nam, Area Vice President, Korea and The Philippines, Marriott International. “As travel gradually resumes, we hope customers enjoy bountiful Marriott Bonvoy travel experiences by utilizing the Classic Card benefits from daily spends at Marriott Bonvoy participating hotels around the world including Korea.”
Earlier in March 2021, Marriott Bonvoy introduced the hospitality industry’s first co-branded credit card in Korea, the Marriott Bonvoy The Best Shinhan Card. Since its launch, credit card enrolments have been well-received by South Koreans despite the challenges of COVID-19. Marriott International currently franchises and operates close to 30 hotels and resorts in South Korea across 12 distinct brands, along with more than 60 restaurant and bar outlets across the country.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
