Holiday Money Programme offers valid until end of 2001

Many of the exclusive range of travel benefits offered to Visa cardholders, are available until 31 December.

The Holiday Money Programme includes a whole range of initiatives encompassing travel-oriented industries; such as hotels, car rental organisations, travel agencies, duty free shops and holiday companies.

The campaign shows that taking your Visa card with you when you travel makes plain sense, as Visa is widely considered to be the 'World's Best Way to Pay", by travel and entertainment specialists like the World Travel Awards.

Several 5-star hotel offers are still available through the Visa Holiday Money Programme's 'Summer Specials 2001', but Visa cardholders should hurry to take advantage of those that end on 8 September. These include special deals at the Crowne Plaza and the Holiday Inn's Middle East and Africa Hotels and Resorts. Hyatt and Intercontinental Hotel offers end on 15 September. Accommodation deals, room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, airport transfers and other benefits are on offer to those who book with their Visa card.

In addition, Jumeirah International is offering, until 31 December 2001, discounted room rates at some of the most spectacular properties in the world, including Burj Al Arab, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Emirates Towers and the Jumeirah Beach Club. The City Centre Hotel and Residence is offering special room rates until 30 September, and again from 10 November until 16 December.

Other hotel chain offers until 31 December, include discounted room rates at the Westin, Sheraton and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, as well as the Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpar. Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts are offering free passes to great attractions at a number of worldwide locations.

The Ritz-Carlton offers 20% off room rates at its resorts in the USA, Caribbean and Mexico until 19 December. Radisson Edwardian Hotels is offering GCC-based Visa cardholders reduced rates - by as much as 57% - until 9 September 2001. These rates are available at two premier London hotels - the Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth or the Radisson Edwardian Berkshire.

According to Peter Scriven, General Manager for Visa Middle East, the travel and entertainment sector is one of the most frequent places to use Visa today. "A Visa card really is a prerequisite for international travel and we are delighted to be able to partner with some of the world's leading brands to ensure that we offer Visa cardholders even greater value," he says.

"Visa has, once again, captured the distinction of being the "World's Leading Credit Card" at the World Travel Awards. Accepted at more than 22 million locations around the world, Visa cardholders are able to enjoy unparalleled convenience and security."

Other excellent offers available from car hire companies include Budget Car Rentals' 25% discount across the GCC, and Hertz, which offers up to 40% discount on standard rates throughout the UAE.

Selected Travel Agents throughout the GCC are also offering attractive benefits such as gift vouchers, Duty Free vouchers and free gifts to those cardholders who book their holiday with their Visa card.

Premal Patel, Head of Marketing for Visa International in the Middle East added, "We've had a great response from cardholders so far; and with less than a month left to take advantage of many of these great offers, I urge cardholders to benefit while they still can. With no worries about global acceptance, Visa is rapidly becoming the choice of international travellers."


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