Outstanding value for Visa cardholders in the GCC and Middle East

The offers cover nights out at the theatre, stays at hotels, dining at restaurants, and car hire. Visa developed the offers after extensive research into where their cardholders like to use their Visa cards during the hot summer months.

"There are always extra costs during summer, especially when families go on vacation. With this in mind, we have carefully selected a range of special offers to give Visa cardholders extra benefits, adding value to their purchases and making their money go further,"

says Stephen Coakley, Marketing Communications Manager, Visa International Middle East

In the UAE, Visa has joined forces with the Jumeirah Group to deliver three attractive promotions. One is a special offer by Madinat Jumeirah Restaurants. Diners who pay using a Visa card will receive a voucher for a 30 per cent discount on their next visit when they spend between AED 400 and AED 999 on a fine meal - and the discount goes up to 50 percent if the cost of the meal is AED 1000 or more.

The second offer is a 'must' for star struck theatregoers, because anyone who pays with a Visa card when they book tickets for any show at the Madinat Theatre will get a not to be missed opportunity to meet the cast.

The third Visa offer in conjunction with the Jumeirah Group features special discounts for Visa cardholders to refresh and revitalise themselves at the breathtakingly beautiful Assawan Spa and Health Club at the Burj Al Arab.

But that is just the start of Visa's hot summer offers. One, specially aimed at travellers, delivers a 40 per cent discount on the regular rate when using a Visa card to pay for a stay at a Novotel or Mercure Hotel anywhere in the world.And Visitors who stay four nights at participating luxurious Rotana Hotels in the Middle East, paying with a Visa card, will be offered a room upgrade, a free fifth night and a complimentary breakfast

In addition, Marriott hotels are offering cardholders U.S. Dollars 100 off their next stay, while Budget Rent A Car is offering special discounts and upgrades to travellers across the GCC and Europe. Again, the offers are available to customers who pay the bill using a Visa card.

"Visa cards are widely accepted around the world and are the most convenient way to pay for holiday spending," says Stephen Coakley. "For travellers, they are a secure alternative to cash, because Visa cardholders can avoid carrying large amounts of local currency, or making frequent trips to cash points and of course they can use their cards for casual purchases as well for those special things we all buy when we are on vacation.

"This summer, we have made a particular effort to offer cardholders outstanding value on their Visa card purchases. All they need to enjoy these benefits is a Visa card."