AMEX NZ Launches Credit Card with nzski.com
AUCKLAND ( 12 July, 2000) – Global financial services and travel group American Express has launched a co-brand credit card with New Zealand’s premier ski area company nzski.com.
The new Credit Card brings together all of the financial and service benefits of the American Express blue Credit Card with a wide range of discounts for skiers provided by nzski.com.
Benefits for skiers in the 2000 season include ski lift, hire and lesson discounts. Credit Cardmembers who are also nzski.com season pass or frequent card holders will receive an extra level of discounts and benefits. Air New Zealand owned nzski.com operates three of New Zealand’s best ski areas - Mt Hutt, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. The new Credit Card will enable holders to use their card to receive discounts at all three areas, thus providing the maximum chance to enjoy the slopes this season.
American Express-nzski.com Cardmembers will also receive an additional benefit of a free group lesson with any purchase of a 5-day lift pass when they use their card in 2000.
“If you love to ski or snowboard or want to give it a try, and want a great financial deal, then this Credit Card programme with American Express is designed for you,” said Glenn Wedlock, Sales and Marketing Manager for nzski.com.
“We are delighted to have chosen American Express as our new and exclusive credit card provider because we know that our strategic partnership provides nzski.com customers with a superior product in terms of value for money, services, benefits and global support, “ Mr Wedlock said.
The agreement will also see American Express and nzski.com work together to promote the New Zealand ski industry in New Zealand and overseas.
Anna Hynes, Vice President and Country Manager for American Express, said the new Credit Card forms part of American Express’s aggressive growth and distribution strategy in this country.
“Our Blue Credit Card has been warmly
accepted by the New Zealand public since it was launched
earlier this year, and we believe the extra benefits
nzski.com is offering will make this new co-brand Credit
Card equally successful with New Zealand skiers,” Ms Hynes
said.
The American Express-nzski.com Credit Card features a competitive standard interest rate of 16.99%, which is 2 percentage points lower than the average market rate.
New cardmembers will also be offered a six-month introductory interest rate of 9.99% on balances transferred from other credit cards.
In addition, the American Express-nzski.com card offers a money-back rebate of up to 1% for every dollar spent on the card.
The introductory offer also sees the annual fee of $35 waived for the first year.
On top of these financial incentives, nzski.com is offering the following benefits with the Card:
American
Express-nzski.com Cardmembers:
10% off nzski.com
activities including lift passes, NZSuperpass, ski and
snowboard school, and rental
20% off beginner
lift, lesson and rental programmes.
One free
lesson when you buy a 5+ day nzski.com lift pass.
American Express-nzski.com Cardmembers and nzski.com Season
Pass/Frequent Cardholders:
15% off NZSuperpass,
ski and snowboard school and rental
50% off
O-Zone Tubing at The Remarkables.
15% off
product in nzski.com snowshops
20% off the
Funzone demo centres.
The new card offers up to 55 days interest-free, and free additional cards for partners or family. Cardmembers will have access to American Express’s worldwide customer service network, which includes free emergency card replacement and access to a network of more than 1,700 travel offices in more than 130 countries.
The American Express-nzski.com Card will be promoted during the Air New Zealand Queenstown Winter Festival from July 14-23. American Express and nzski.com are major sponsors of the festival.
Ongoing promotion of the Card will include a direct mailing to nzski.com’s extensive customer base.
About American Express:
The American Express Company, which is celebrating it 150th anniversary this year, is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company. Founded in 1850, it is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking. For more information about American Express, visit the worldwide web site at http://www.americanexpress.co.nz.
About
nzski.com
nzski.com is New Zealand’s largest ski area
company operating Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt
ski areas. It was the 1999 New Zealand Tourism award winner
for
Best Visitor Attraction
Best
Training and Education
nzski.com offers a wide range of
skiing and snowboarding activities, which are actively
marketed through its website at
http://www.nzski.com.
For further information:
Mark
Reynolds
Public Affairs
American Express New
Zealand
Tel: 09 3674370
Mobile: 025 2073303
Fiona
Woodham
Public Affairs
nzski.com
03
4427715
Mobile: 025 313
270