India is experiencing a strong growth in affluence, spend on domestic air travel is increasing, and frequent flyers are looking for a premium experience combined with great value. Recognizing these emerging lifestyle and travel aspirations of consumers, American Express today announced a partnership with Kingfisher Airlines – to launch the first of its kind credit card – the new American Express Kingfisher First Credit Card. Given the high communication needs of frequent travelers, the Card is being launched in association with Airtel giving the customers the opportunity to convert Airtel calls into free Kingfisher Flights. The American Express Kingfisher First Credit Card members will be able to earn free flights up to 4 times faster than any other leading card in the industry while providing them the premium flying experience from Kingfisher Airlines, making it the fastest and the finest way to fly free.  

Expected to set a trend in the Airline Co-brand credit card category, the new American Express Kingfisher First Credit Card allows the Card members to get 2 or more round trip flights with Kingfisher Airlines every year, simply through their everyday spend on the Card. This Card also offers the world’s leading Membership Rewards program with an industry best earn rate of 10 times reward points. What this means is that a customer can earn tickets faster by simply charging their spend on telecom services provided by Airtel, spend Kingfisher Airlines and with over 500 retail and dinning Platinum Partners. The Card also offers exclusive Platinum privileges such as Kingfisher Airlines King Club Gold Tier membership and special benefits from Airtel.  In the first year itself, the Card will offer an outstanding premium value of more than Rs.50000.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines said, "Kingfisher Airlines has redefined the way people fly in India and in  the short span of 29 months since its launch, has gone on to earn national and international acclaim. The partnership with American Express is a step in the direction of offering unique and compelling benefits to our guests. As such, this new launch heralds the broadening of our existing relationship with American Express and will cater to the evolving lifestyle aspirations of a young and vibrant India. The introduction of this new offering will strengthen our franchise amongst both business and leisure travelers.”

The American Express Kingfisher First Credit Card is targeted at the rapidly growing segment of young, successful and affluent people who enjoy traveling and like to be rewarded for their everyday spend.  The launch follows the successful introduction of the American Express Platinum Credit Card last year, and underscores the company’s sharp focus on innovations for the affluent segment. The Card is being launched in association with Airtel.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Rob Hennin, Vice President and Country Manager, American Express India said, “At American Express, we strive to set the pace in the card industry by offering compelling reasons including outstanding premium value and service for high-spending, affluent customers to choose American Express. Globally and in India, we have deep experience with successful airline co-brand relationships and have some of the best co-brand cards.  We count our partnership with Kingfisher Airlines with signification added value from Airtel to be among the best such arrangements in the world. ”

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