Want to experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and relax and unwind at the castle of the Chivas Brothers in the heartland of whisky making?
Want to fly by a private jet -- a state-of-the art Gulfstream G200 for business, pleasure, medical or even emergency evacuation? (While you have to pay for the private jet, of course a special rate, there will be complimentary limousine service for both the start and the end of the plane ride.)
A free round of golf on a world class 18 hole gold course? Unlimited use of sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath, swimming pool, and tennis facilities at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, Thailand?
Global banking major Citibank is offering all these facilities and many more available through its Ultima Card -- possibly the world's most exclusive credit and charge card. Membership is, however, strictly by invitation.
Once you are a member, there will be personalised in-flight food and beverage menu, personalised in-flight entertainment. What's more, you will be chauffeured in the inimitable luxury of a Bentley Turbo R.
You can also use a Ferretti 80-foot luxury yacht, the only one of its kind in Singapore, complete with a pilot and crew for a full day at sea. And for those with a penchant for speed, a Maserati 4200 Spyder sportscar is available at Singapore at a special rate for 48 hours.
Citibank launched the Ultima Card in Singapore last year and had a soft launch in Hong Kong recently. It is expected to be launched in India in the near future.
The bank, however, has already launched its world privilege programme in India. CWP is an Asia wide programme primarily targeted at inbound travelers to each individual country from other countries.
In short, the programme is targeted at providing international tourists visiting that particular country the best possible deals and benefits.
Citibank card members originating from other countries of Asia excluding India spent close to $6.8 million in India in 2002-2003.
This is expected to go up by at least 20 per cent in the current fiscal year, the bulk of the spend ($3.8 million) being in the retail trade in India. If one includes India, the spend by all premium card members was to the tune of $10 million in 2002-03.
Citibank Asia Premium Credit Card members can spend as much as $400 million while travelling in Asia. An estimate shows they can spend Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) on retail shopping in India, Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) on hotel accommodation and Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million) at restaurants.
Last year, the bank tied up with 79 merchants across the metros and over 33 important locations including Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan where normally tourists throng.
The list of merchants where the card holders will get discounts and other privileges include the Taj, Sheraton, Sarovar Park Plaza, Intercontinental, Hertz, HRH Group of Hotels and VIP Luggage, etc. across various categories like dining, travel, entertainment, hotels, lifestyle, shopping, spa and health. At present, there are 1385 merchants, which offer the facilities.
The Citibank Indian card members who regularly travel overseas have access to CWP offers across all continents in 38 countries (out of which 21 countries are in Asia). The CWP is available to all Citibank Gold and Platinum card members in India.
"The growth potential in India is, perhaps, more than that of China if one looks at the current GDP per capita and the pace of growth in key sector such as technology and financial services," Jonathan Larsen, head of retail banking (Asia Pacific) told Business Standard. He also hinted that in near future Ultima will be brought to India.
CWP is the first of its kind global privileges programme offering the Citi Gold and Ultima card members benefit at over 15,000 leading establishments worldwide.
The list of benefits include up to 50 per cent discount on room rents, complimentary room upgradations at classy hotels, priority reservation at the best restaurants and discounts at various merchant establishments overseas.
The idea is to offer loyalty programmes and benefits on a global basis instead of customary points, which are redeemed for gifts or waiver of the annual card fees. In India, the annual gold card fee is Rs 2,000 plus service tax.
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