James Kon
Members of the public can earn attractive Royal Skies miles by using the newly launched Royal Brunei Visa Credit and Debit Cards by Baiduri Bank to pay for their everyday spending. The launching ceremony was held at the Baiduri Community Space, Baiduri Bank Headquarters yesterday.
The first co-branded payment and travel cards in Brunei Darussalam, the ‘Royal Brunei Visa Credit and Debit Cards by Baiduri Bank’ is equipped with the latest in contactless payment technologies. It was officially launched by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Baiduri Bank CEO Ti Eng Hui and RB Acting CEO Martin Aeberli.
Ti Eng Hui said, “We are very proud of this collaboration between Baiduri Bank and our national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB). We are pleased to build on a long-standing partnership with RB to launch yet another market first with the introduction of the Royal Brunei Visa Credit and Debit Cards by Baiduri Bank.
“These Royal Brunei Visa Cards cater to all customer segments. Though we are unable to travel at the moment, we can already start accumulating (Royal Skies) miles by using the card for our everyday spending, so when the borders open, we will have enough miles to redeem flights for our next vacation,” he added.
Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Abdul Manaf highlighted that RB and Baiduri Bank are two strong Bruneian companies with impressive track records of innovation, product development and community service.
He believes the launch creates the ultimate travel card in Brunei, offering a new way to earn miles on everyday spending and activities.
“I have been informed that cardholders will also be able to earn even more miles with RB purchases, as well as benefitting from a minimum of five kilogramme extra baggage allowance for credit cardholders. This new launch gives guests the chance to earn now for redemption on upgrades and flights in the future, when the time is right to travel, and current restrictions eased,” the deputy minister said.
He also said that the collaboration is just one of a number of digital innovations, partnerships and collaborations that RB has worked on over the past months while preparing and building a strong platform for travel recovery when the time is right.
Other initiatives include the migration of RB’s digital e-commerce platforms to cloud systems, a new RB travel mobile app, as well as the re-launch of RB Holidays website.
Baiduri Bank, he said, “has moved into its brand new headquarters recently, which has successfully leveraged on technological innovation to improve its customers’ experience.
Therefore, I must congratulate both RB and Baiduri Bank on these initiatives. We have seen across Brunei, the widespread adoption of digital innovation as a result of COVID-19 with customer benefits ranging from food delivery, financial services and e-commerce ordering.”
Meanwhile, the RB Acting CEO said, “This collaboration is very special for RB and as one of the leading Bruneian brands on digital innovation, it is only right that we continue to innovate, collaborate and bring better experiences to our Bruneian guests who are loyal and strong supporters of the national carrier.”
Visa Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei Kunal Chatterjee said, “We congratulate our valued partners, Baiduri Bank and RB for the launch of the co-branded travel cards. Although cross-border travel has not resumed in many countries due to the pandemic, we introduced this product to Visa cardholders so that they can start earning their miles whenever they spend on their cards.
“Once travel restrictions are lifted across the world, cardholders can redeem rewards to make flight bookings or upgrade their flights. Another benefit of the card is that it is contactless, making it easy for Visa cardholders to tap and pay at supermarkets and cafes in Brunei, or any merchant across the world that accept contactless payments.
“Our data shows that contactless payments usage is growing in Brunei, and Bruneians are embracing it as a seamless and convenient mode of payment.”
For those who love travelling, the cards come with unsurpassed perks and privileges, including fast track to earning Royal Skies miles. Cardholders will earn miles at an attractive rate through everyday spending, and twice as much when they use their card at any RB Customer Service Centre or online at www.flyRB.com.
In addition, cardholders will enjoy up to seven kilogramme additional baggage allowance on all RB flights and DragonPass membership privileges. Other benefits include year-round travel deals, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, access to Sky Lounge at Brunei International Airport at preferential rates, as well as global privileges offered by Visa.
With a choice of debit and credit cards, these benefits are now accessible to a wider group of consumers in Brunei, who can opt for the type of card best suited to their needs and lifestyle.
To coincide with the launch, all successful applicants for the Royal Brunei Visa Credit Cards will receive four years annual fee waiver and up to 6,000 Royal Skies miles provided that it is the applicant’s first Baiduri card. From yesterday to January 24, 2021, all RB Visa cardholders will automatically earn a lucky draw chance to win up to 100,000 miles when they activate their card and an additional chance for every BND50 charged to their card. Cardholders will also stand a chance to win Royal Skies Silver membership.