JAKARTA - PT Bank UOB Indonesia joins hands with PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk (GIAA) and Mastercard to introduce Garuda Indonesia UOB Credit Card (GIUC), which combines the perks of credit card spending and rewards from mileage system.

"This partnership really means a lot to us. I think both UOB and Garuda have the exact same value, which is service excellence," said Cristina Teh Tan, Head of Consumer Banking of UOB Indonesia in her opening remarks.

Accomodating affluent users, this credit card may grant mileage from shopping activities. "GIUC allows travellers and shopping enthusiasts to accumulate triple GarudaMiles for all retail transactions at Garuda Indonesia and double GarudaMiles for other retail transactions," as quoted from the press release today (8/3).

"This is a continuous partnership of Garuda with UOB—previously with Citibank—as well as Mastercard," said Ade R. Susardi, Director of Services and Commercial of GIAA during the press conference. As is known, last year, Citibank officially migrated its retail users to UOB.

In regard to this credit card launch, Herman Soesetyo, Head of Cards and Loans of UOB Indonesia, believes that it will contribute to total credit scored by UOB. "With the acquisition of Citibank by UOB, in the future, we will become more agressive [in pursuing growth]. We can say we are close to double the booking made last year," he said.

Hendra Gunawan, President Director of UOB Indonesia, mentioned how retail users begin to spare 20% higher travel expenses compared to pre-pandemic period.

"With this in mind, we are delighted to collaborate with like-minded partners such as Garuda Indonesia to serve the diverse needs of aspiring individuals in Indonesia and across the region,” added Gunawan in the press release today (8/3).

Furthermore, Aileen Chew Goh, Country Manager and President Director of PT Mastercard Indonesia, notices the latest trend in which people seek more diverse and valuable experiences while travelling, making them travel slower and longer.

"We want to be able to build on the very strong service that Garuda has in the flight, to be able to provide very good experiences when they got into their destinations or airports," added Goh.

Mastercard credit cards, coming in package with GIUC, is said to provide many benefits, including discounts in airport lounges services and restaurants. Furthermore, on top of miles, GIUC offers extra 20kg baggage, special check-in counters, and others. (ZH)