Visa International, the world’s leading payment solutions provider, has launched a promotional campaign in the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, rewarding Visa Electron debit cardholders with valuable prizes when using their Visa Electron debit cards at supermarkets, petrol stations and restaurants. In the promotion, aimed at raising awareness of the convenience and safety of using debit cards instead of cash for everyday purchases, winners can look forward to a host of prizes including a grand prize of US$ 10,000, bi-weekly prizes worth US$ 1,000 or in-mall instant giveaways.
From now and until 15th October, every convenient Visa Electron debit card transaction made for the purchase of groceries, petrol or restaurant dining will automatically enter cardholders into a draw to win the US$ 10,000 grand prize to be credited to the winning Visa Electron debit card. This valuable prize allows the winner to enjoy free purchases for up to three years including free petrol, groceries, or phone calls. Visa Electron debit cardholders also have the opportunity to be rewarded through bi-weekly prizes worth US$ 1,000 comprising free shopping vouchers, petrol coupons and prepaid phone cards.
Furthermore, in-mall instant giveaways await Visa Electron debit cardholders in the Swipe ‘n Wish promotion taking place at select malls. Upon submitting three transaction slips at the special in-mall Visa Electron kiosk, Visa Electron debit cardholders are guaranteed to win instant prizes including mugs and fun beach items, among others. In the UAE, the promotional kiosk will be located at Mall of the Emirates from 4th to 15th October. Shoppers using their Visa Electron debit card at Seef Mall in Bahrain, Al-Arami Shopping Complex in Oman and The Mall in Qatar will be entitled to receive giveaways every Thursday and Friday from now and until the 13th October.
According to Stephen Coakley, Marketing Communications Manager for Visa International in the Middle East, the initiative is designed to introduce shoppers to the practicality and convenience of using Visa Electron debit cards for everyday purchases. “This promotion is the perfect way to demonstrate to our Visa Electron debit cardholders that paying with Visa Electron debit cards instead of cash is safer, easier and more convenient. Visa Electron debit cards can be used for much more than drawing cash from ATM’s; once cardholders become accustomed to using their Visa Electron debit cards for shopping, they will refrain from returning to their old cash-and-carry habits.”
“Our promotion is the continuation of the awareness-raising campaign which we introduced in 2005. In our effort, we are educating Visa Electron debit cardholders on the safety and convenience they can enjoy using their debit card instead of cash for both small and large purchases. A great number of consumers are not aware that debit cards are more than just ATM cards used for withdrawing cash and can be used for making purchases. Unlike a credit card, transactions made using debit cards are interest-free as payment is automatically made through the holder’s bank account. This also means fewer trips to the cash dispenser for shoppers.”
“There are nearly 9 million Visa Electron debit cards in the GCC. We are leading this initiative in the region as these cardholders need to be made aware of the functionality of their debit card - only 13 percent of purchases are currently made using debit cards. By educating consumers on the advantages of using debit cards, we plan to change the habit of using cash for shopping. As well as enjoying the privilege of special promotions such as this one, Visa Electron debit cardholders can make secure purchases at any of the 24 million merchants around the world that accept Visa cards. In fact, thanks to the world wide acceptance of Visa cards, they can make purchases from almost any shop – any place, anytime and anywhere.”
Visa Electron debit cardholders who are customers of the twelve co operating banks – HSBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai Bank, National Bank of Dubai, Mashreqbank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Union National Bank, Emirates Bank, First Gulf Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi – will be participating in the promotion and the richly rewarding prize draw.
About Visa International
Visa International is a partnership of 21,000 member banks. These banks have issued over a billion Visa cards worldwide on which US$4 trillion per year is spent across over 150 countries.
Visa’s role is to provide payment solutions for its member banks, enabling them to issue cards and process merchants’ Visa card transactions. The Visa products issued by the banks are safer, more convenient and more efficient than cash. Furthermore, they help to bring people into the banking system and to increase the funds available for commercial loans, the lifeblood of a growing economy.
