By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Shinhan and Visa Card this week joined hands with three of Seoul's leading hotels to create a premium membership service package.
The three hotels are The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Millennium Seoul Hilton and Sheraton Grande Walkerhilll, The signing ceremony was held at the Ritz-Carlton in southern Seoul on Monday.
"This program combines the premium benefits of Shinhan Card, EMSM Concierge, Visa International and the existing benefits of the Super Triple Card that was launched last year," said Kim Jung-ki, director of public relations at Millennium Seoul Hilton.
The features of the Shinhan Super Triple Card include not only unlimited use of the guestrooms and food and beverage outlets at the three hotels at a significant discount but also airline and My Shinhan mileage and special menu items at fine restaurants (The Concierge service).
"In conjunction with this members are able to take advantage of the premium service that comes with the Shinhan Card in Korea's first ever alliance between a hotel membership program and a credit card," Kim said.
Once members sign up, they may choose between three coupons for a free stay at any one of the hotels or nine coupons for free or discounted meals at the hotels as well as discounts at Shilla CC, Pusan Paradise Hotel, Jeju Haevichi Hotel, Seoul National University, French cosmetic brand Darphin and Walkerhill Duty Free.
The annual membership fee for the Shinhan Super Triple Card is 500,000 won and the fee for a spouse is 50,000 won. (Spouses enjoy the same benefits except for free guestroom and meals.)
This is the first VISA Business Signature level card being issued in Asia-Pacific, so VISA International is highly interested in this event and in the sales of this card. It is anticipated that member reaction will be highly positive as they will now enjoy both the myriad privileges and prestige of Signature service along with Korea's best hotel membership program.