NatWest and Visa Partner to Launch New Travel Credit Card

NatWest Group has partnered with global payments giant Visa to introduce a new travel reward credit card for UK customers. 

The launch comes as the travel industry continues to rebound from the pandemic, with consumers increasingly seeking value and flexibility in their financial products.

Now available to NatWest customers, the new card offers a suite of features designed to reward frequent travellers, by offering 1% cashback on eligible travel expenditures, encompassing a wide range of categories including flights, trains, car rentals, ferries, buses, hotel accommodation, travel agents, cruises and campsites.

In addition to the travel-specific rewards, cardholders can earn between 1% and 15% cashback at selected partner retailers, although these specific partners are yet to be disclosed. 

NatWest: Tiered rewards for customers 

The card’s tiered reward structure reflects a growing trend in the credit card industry towards more targeted and potentially lucrative reward schemes.

One of the card's most attractive features is the absence of foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad, a significant benefit for international travellers who often face substantial charges for overseas spending. 

This aligns with a broader industry shift towards reducing or eliminating such fees, as issuers compete for the valuable frequent traveller segment.

The card also boasts no annual fee, positioning it as an accessible option for a wide range of consumers. This fee-free approach is particularly noteworthy given the card's travel-focused benefits, as many premium travel cards in the market typically charge annual fees.

Salim Secretary, Head of Payment Schemes and Partnerships at NatWest Group, says: “Our new Travel Reward Credit card is rewarding our customers with one percent back on their travel spend. 

“It is through our long-term collaboration with Visa that we have been able to further extend the choice of cards available to our customers."

NatWest & Visa: Building on a partnership

The launch is part of a broader, long-standing partnership between NatWest and Visa, aimed at providing customers with access to a range of payment solutions. 

To generate buzz around the launch, NatWest has tied the new card to its sponsorship of Team GB and Visa's sponsorship of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

Existing NatWest customers who expressed interest in the card were entered into a draw to win tickets to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony and an Olympic event, courtesy of Visa. 

The Olympics aside, the timing of the card’s launch – amidst a post-pandemic travel boom – appears well-positioned to meet growing consumer demand. 

Moreover, the card's features reflect broader shifts in consumer behaviour and expectations in the post-pandemic era. The emphasis on cashback rewards, rather than points or miles, speaks to a preference for tangible, easily understood benefits. 

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK & Ireland at Visa, concludes: "As part of our long-term collaboration, we're delighted that NatWest will launch this new credit card in the UK, helping to deliver seamless, secure and flexible payment experiences. 

"Together we'll bring our world-class capabilities to millions of NatWest's customers with all our products and services underpinned by our global commitment to be the best way to pay and be paid.”

Visa's partnership with NatWest comes after it launched a Digital Emergency Card Replacement service for travellers that lose their cards when abroad. 

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