Emirates Takes Its Premium Onboard Offering To Greater Heights

Reinforcing its commitment to providing the best onboard experience to its customers, Emirates (www.emirates.com) has unveiled a new range of products in its premium cabins.

Customers in First Class and Business Class can look forward a new range of white Royal Doulton fine bone china, whose delicate relief pattern and subtle simplicity provides the ideal backdrop to showcase the diversity of Emirates’ extensive menu. The redefined dining experience also includes the introduction of elegant Robert Welsh cutlery which adds to the contemporary and high-quality dining experience onboard.

“We are constantly seeking new ways to not only delight, but also surpass the high expectations of our discerning customers. By taking a fine dining experience they may have had as a benchmark, we at Emirates continue to innovate and raise the bar,” said Terry Daly, Divisional Senior Vice President, Service Delivery – Emirates. “Redefining not just our onboard product, but also the complete customer service experience is the result of painstaking attention to detail and extensive planning.”

The new service extends beyond the launch of new products, and resonates through the onboard dining philosophy to also include the exclusive introduction to the First Class dining range, such as stylish charger plates that are present in many leading restaurants, new salad and soup bowls, coffee mugs and teacups, as well as the introduction of soup dishes to the Business Class menu. In addition, approximately 5,000 cabin crew including Pursers, Senior Flight Stewards, and crew who operate in Business Class have been through an intensive training programme aimed at familiarizing the crew with not only the new product range, but also the new service philosophy.

The new service and range of cutlery, crockery and other products in premium cabins launched across all flights in Emirates’ main fleet in July, and will launch across the Airbus A380 fleet from 1st August, 2011. Additionally, passengers who travel on Emirates First Class and Business Class not only have the opportunity to enjoy the new service, but also experience some of Dubai’s leading hotels such as The Armani Hotel, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Address Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel – where passengers, flying to and via Dubai, are offered complimentary hotel stays and 96-hour transfer visas. To take advantage of this great offer, passengers must complete their journey entirely in either Emirates First Class or Business class, between 1 August and 30 September, 2011 and book before 31 July 2011.
 

Visa Offers Premium Cardholders Travel And Golf Privileges

Visa, one of the leading global payment solution providers, has introduced two new privileges for Premium Cardholders in its continuous efforts to offer unforgettable experiences and benefits to reward its customers.
The rewards are part of the 2011 Premium Privileges program which provides Visa Infinite, Visa Platinum and Visa Gold cardholders in the Middle East with access to tailored offers and packages to enjoy various travel, hotels, leisure, entertainment and retail rewards.

A complete list of the Visa 2011 Premium Privileges rewards can be found on www.visamiddleeast.com
Visa Premium Cardholders tee off around the globe with Visa’s Premium Cardholder Program
Visa has developed a new range of privileges for 2011 to allow its Premium cardholders to make the most of their valuable leisure time.

Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum cardholders across the Middle East can indulge in the facilities at the some of the finest golf courses around the world with a 30% discount on their green fees at 300 of the world’s top golf clubs.
In addition, Visa’s Infinite cardholders can also enjoy a 50% discount on their green fees at twelve top golf clubs in eleven countries worldwide on weekdays and weekends including Indonesia, South Africa, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

In the UAE, Infinite cardholders can enjoy the world class facilities at the Els Club, Dubai Sports City, Al Badia Dubai and Yas Links Abu Dhabi as part of Visa’s Golf privileges.

“Through its Privilege Program for Premium Cardholders, Visa aims to reward its privileged customers for integrating Visa into their everyday lives by enabling them to enhance their lifestyle with rewards and discounts on exciting and value added experiences,” said Shankar Ram, Visa’s Head of Product Solutions for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.

Around the world with Visa’s Privilege Program

The Visa Privilege Program caters to Visa Premium cardholders who are accustomed to travelling the world, helping to make their travel more comfortable and enjoyable through an array of benefits.

Visa provides Platinum and Infinite cardholders with, purchase protection and Extended Warranty. In addition, Visa enables Premium cardholders to fulfil their shopping wishes with a selection of duty free offers at key travel destinations around the world.

Dubai outbound travellers to Japan, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Korea can also enjoy various discounts and vouchers at the airport’s duty free outlets.

Visa Infinite cardholders also benefit from travel insurance when booking their trip with their Visa card.

To find out more about Visa’s Premium Privileges Program visit www.visamiddleeast.com

Enjoy the luxurious life with a selection of the world’s most prestigious hotels

Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders can also enjoy exclusive benefits at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels around the world. The Visa Luxury Hotel Collection offers Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders access to a host of privileges, which may include the best available rate, VIP guest status, automatic room upgrades, complimentary continental breakfast, food and beverage vouchers, late checkout options and complimentary valet or internet access

To learn more about these benefits, visit www.visaplatinumhotels.com or www.visainfinitehotels.com.
 

Visa Premium Cardholders Have Even More Fun At Dubai Mall With Extended Offers

Visa Premium cardholders are set to have even more fun at Dubai’s top tourist attractions thanks to the extension of Visa’s popular programme of premium offers. Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders will continue to benefit from an exclusive partnership with The Dubai Mall’s top visitor attractions, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink and SEGA Republic.

Visa’s partnership with The Dubai Mall began in the summer and continues to provide cardholders with unbeatable offers, including an unforgettable aquatic experience for the entire family at the Aquarium Tunnel. All Visa Premium cardholders purchasing two entry tickets to the aquarium and underwater zoo will receive one free entry ticket for children under twelve.

Commenting on the promotion, Maysara Ghadban Traboulsi, Visa’s Head of Marketing Communications for MENA, said: “Visa continuously strives to enhance customers’ experiences by offering added value promotions to our growing premium cardholder base. Visa works with leading retail and leisure partners across the GCC to ensure that we deliver unique and memorable experiences for our premium cardholders. We are delighted to announce the extension of this popular partnership with The Dubai Mall which offers cardholders fantastic deals on Dubai’s top tourist attractions which are a must see for both visitors and residents alike.”

A cool experience is also in store for Visa premium cardholders at Dubai Ice Rink, when using their card to pay for an AED 50 2-hour Ice Public Skating sessions and will be rewarded with free entry for a friend.

Those in the mood for even more action can visit SEGA Republic, featuring nine exhilarating attractions and the latest amusement games. Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders purchasing one Power Pass will get the second one free.

Visa and The Dubai Mall will update offers for Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders every 90 days to ensure cardholders can benefit from the partnership by offering new experiences throughout the year.
 

Visa Pampers Premium Cardholders With Exciting New Rewards

Visa, one of the leading global payment solution providers, has revealed a tempting new line up of rewards and privileges for its premium cardholders in the United Arab Emirates.

The envied Visa Premium Privileges Programme offers extensive travel, leisure, retail and entertainment rewards, featuring more than one hundred exclusive offers for premium cardholders. A complete list of exciting rewards offered by preferred merchant partners can be found on www.visamiddleeast.com.

Visa has partnered with internationally renowned brands to offer all UAE Visa Gold, Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders with rewards stretching from dining experiences, fashion, entertainment, travel and jewellery.
Gastronomic Delights in store for Visa Premium Cardholders

For an indulgent gastronomic treat, Visa Premium cardholders will receive greatly discounted rates at a wide range of restaurants across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including the Shangri-La Hotel Dubai and Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi which offer an exquisite selection of culinary treats. With a 20 percent reduction on their total food bill, Visa’s elite cardholders will be spoilt for choice at the range of dining delights including in the Visa Premium Privileges Programme.

“Visa premium cardholders enjoy a certain privileged lifestyle and we want them to enjoy more of that with our new set of exclusive offers. The rewards are designed to highlight their distinction as premium cardholders; as well as to thank them for making Visa a part of their lifestyle,” said Maysara Ghadban Traboulsi, Visa’s Head of Marketing Communications for MENA.

Visa offers Premium Lifestyle Rewards
The more leisure oriented premium cardholders can treat their loved ones to the Dolphinarium in Dubai for a memorable 45-minute Dolphin experience for the entire family, along with a 10 percent markdown and two free photos, making the trip an unforgettable experience.

Visa Premium cardholders can also take advantage of playing golf at the world-class Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi with a 20 percent discount on weekend rates and an even more enticing 30 percent off on weekday rack rates. The Gulf’s only beach front golf course, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club’s amphitheatre-style Par 72 course which features several beach-front holes.

Movie-goers can also make use of Visa’s Cinestar promotion to receive complimentary Golf Class cinema tickets at select Cinestar Cinemas. Visa Platinum cardholders will receive one free ticket upon purchase of two cinema tickets, while Visa Infinite cardholders will receive two tickets for the price of one.

Travel in style with Visa Premium Offers
A busy travel schedule is not uncommon among Visa’s Premium cardholders. To make their travel a more rewarding and pleasurable experience, Visa is offering a complimentary Marhaba meet-and-greet service at the airport for premium cardholders booking through Dnata Travel and flying economy with Emirates into Dubai from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Dubai outbound travellers will also receive complimentary one-way transfers by private car. Dedicated and exclusive branded travel desks are also available for Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders for an effortless check-in experience at the airport.

Visa Premium cardholders are offered an extensive array of benefits including travel insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, Airport VIP Lounge Access and the sought after Concierge service which provides Visa Infinite cardholders with complimentary round the clock personal assistance and caters to needs ranging from last-minute restaurant reservation requests to organising travel arrangements and planning special occasions.

In addition, all visa premium cardholders booking through HotelClub.com, the global online accommodation specialist, can enjoy up to 75 percent off 50,000 hotels worldwide in over 130 countries.

To find out more about Visa’s Premium Privileges Programme visit: www.visamiddleeast.com
 

Visa Premium Cardholders To Enjoy Action Packed Summer

Visa, one of the leading global payment solution providers, has extended its premium offerings this summer with the announcement that Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders can benefit from an exclusive partnership with The Dubai Mall’s top visitor attractions, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink and SEGA Republic.

The year-long partnership begins with unbeatable offers this summer, including an unforgettable aquatic experience for the entire family at the Aquarium Tunnel, including experiencing the unique Underwater Zoo, a Glass-bottom Boat ride as well as a Gifts and Souvenirs voucher for only AED333 for a family of four.

The 10-million litre Dubai Aquarium tank, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is the largest suspended aquarium in the world. It houses over 33,000 aquatic animals, comprising over 85 species. Over 400 Sharks and Rays live in this tank, including the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world.

Commenting on the promotion, Maysara Ghadban Traboulsi, Visa’s Head of Marketing Communications for MENA, said: “Visa continuously strives to enhance customers’ experiences by offering added value promotions to our growing premium cardholder base. Visa works with leading retail and leisure partners across the GCC to ensure that we deliver unique and memorable experiences for our premium cardholders.”

A cool summer experience is in store for Visa premium cardholders at Dubai Ice Rink, when using their card to pay for an AED 50 2-hour Public Skating session and will be rewarded with free entry for a friend.

“Dubai Ice Rink also offers Football Mania 2010, where the latest 2010 FIFA World CupTM football matches are being broadcast on the giant 20m x 10m LED screen, so cardholders can enjoy watching all the action the comfort of one Dubai’s coolest locations,” added Ghadban Traboulsi.

Those in the mood for even more action can visit SEGA Republic, featuring nine exhilarating attractions and the latest amusement games. Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders can avail of the Visa Power Pass for only AED 99 for entry into all the nine attractions.

Visa and The Dubai Mall will update offers for Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders every 90 days to ensure cardholders can benefit all summer long from the partnership by offering new experiences throughout the key holiday season.
 

Premium Complimentary Shuttle Service Offered To Dubai Festival City Guests

Dubai Festival City, flagship waterfront development by Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has introduced complimentary premium shuttle facility servicing seven key locations across the award-winning property.

The Dubai Festival City shuttle will ferry guests from and to Al Badia Golf Club, Al Areesh Club, Ace Hardware, Marsa Plaza, Marsa Automotive Park, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, and Dubai Gold Marketplace – Festival Centre between 10am to midnight everyday. Each location will be serviced at regular intervals of 15 minutes approximately and Dubai Festival City has employed three Dodge Durango vehicles for the job.

Expected to service 4 guests at a time along with chilled refreshments over the prestigious retail, residential, automotive, hospitality and golfing facilities, this service aims to decrease traffic in the 30 kms of internal road network within Dubai Festival City – leading to lower levels of air and noise pollution within the development as well.

Tom Miles, Director of Shopping Centres, AFGRE said: “Dubai Festival City is a thriving property sprawling across 1300 acres with multiple hot spots that draw in close to 25,000 visitors daily. Introducing the shuttle service is our way of enhancing our guests and visitors their Dubai Festival City experience.”