|
News reports indicate an interesting trend is developing among credit card issuers—increasingly fancy reward credit card programs for the well-heeled.
For example, Sotheby's World Elite MasterCard is offering a superb rewards benefit for those who are patrons of the arts. The program gives cardholders free admission for four people to a number of art institutions. Cardholders can choose among the Phillips Collection in the nation's capital; the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego; the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco; and the Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware.
In addition, cardholders can use their reward points to make donations to various museums. They can also patronize artists' studios or commission Sotheby's auctioneers to hold a charity auction with the cardholder's authorization.
Meanwhile, American Express customers have a chance to take part in some amazing vacations courtesy of the company's "Going Once" website. The credit card issuer is auctioning off luxurious vacations this month. Some of the featured trips include a week-long tour of the Greek Islands, a 13-day Antarctica cruise, a nine-night expedition to South Africa, and a nine-night road trip in a recreational vehicle.
In addition, MasterCard is sponsoring a "Priceless Moments" charity auction which promises an array of goods that "money can't buy." These include the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partake of an afternoon tea with historic figure Nelson Mandela. Other auctioned moments reportedly include the "world's most famous movie, sports, music and business personalities."
It's unclear whether such rewards programs can turn individuals who aren't interested in credit cards into individuals who are. However, there is little doubt that such programs are getting more elaborate by the year. That fact alone would indicate that credit card issuers believe that reward programs can help to expand and enhance their customer base. Rewards programs can also offer consumers a host of opportunities they wouldn't necessarily take advantage of otherwise.
Tom Smith
1st May 2007
More Information:
- Cash Back Vs Rewards Credit Cards - Ah, the sweet rewards of using credit! Not only do you get immediate gratification with the buy now-pay later plastic, but now, many credit cards offer rewards and incentives for using their card to make purchases.
- Credit Card Goodies with Affinity Credit Cards - Would you like to do something worthwhile with those cash back and reward points that you're earning on your rebate credit cards? Many major non-profit organizations would be delighted to help you do that. By making an affinity credit card your major credit card
- How To Earn Air Miles When Paying Your Tax Bill - Would you like to know how to earn air miles at the same time as paying your dreaded end of year tax bill? Simply really, arrange to pay your tax bill on your credit card!
|
