World Elite offering launched in collaboration with Mastercard

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank in collaboration with Mastercard launched Kuwait's First Metal World Elite Credit Card offering contactless payments. The Invitation-only World Elite metal card allows cardholders to avail of a variety of luxury services both locally and abroad and is now available exclusively to Gulf Bank private banking customers.

The metal card also offers cardholders faster and more convenient shopping experiences. The World Elite card, which is enabled with NFC technology, allows cardholders to make contactless transactions for purchases, removing the hassle of inserting or swiping their cards at check-out.

Commenting on the announcement, Ahmad Al-Amir, Assistant General Manager of External Communications at Gulf Bank, said: "We are pleased to continue working with our partners in the banking industry to offer innovative and creative services, exclusively for Gulf Bank clients. With today's release of the Metal World Elite Mastercard Credit Card, our clients can enjoy access to Gulf Bank Concierge by Louis Fourteen, a tailored concierge service available to clients. Louis Fourteen Concierge would provide its services to our customers domestically and internationally as well. Our Metal World Elite Mastercard cardholders can also avail other exclusive offers, including access to over 1,200 airport lounges, hotel discounts, car rental offers, travel insurance, and so much more."

He added: "Invited Gulf Bank Private Banking customers can pick up their World Elite Mastercard cards starting today, just in time for travel season. We are very proud to be able to launch this card, the first of its kind in Kuwait, and to have our valued clients be the first to enjoy all the exclusive benefits it has to offer."

Somu Roy, General Manager for Kuwait and Qatar, Mastercard commented, "The Gulf Bank Metal World Elite card is the first of its kind in Kuwait and provides a range of premium benefits and services to the bank's private customers. The invitation-only metal card is among the most exclusive payment solutions in the market, and we are delighted to partner with Gulf Bank to bring the World Elite offering to their customers. The cardholder experience is further augmented by the addition of contactless payment capabilities, ensuring fast and convenient payments for cardholders on their everyday purchases."
With World Elite Mastercard, cardholders can enjoy a multitude of benefits at home and abroad. Cardholders can enhance their travel experiences with Gulf Bank Concierge by Louis Fourteen lifestyle management services, including global airport concierge service with VIP meet and greet services at over 470 airports. Cardholders can also enjoy a stress-free travel experience, with discounts at hotels that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy Hotels Collection and the Global Hotel Alliance. While traveling, clients can also enjoy airport lounge access at over 1,200 lounges globally, travel insurance of up to USD 500,000 for themselves and their families, and discounts on car rentals, in addition to discounts on Careem Chauffeur Service.

World Elite Mastercard cardholders can also take advantage of the Gulf Points program, the fastest rewarding program in Kuwait, which gives cardholders valuable points to use for free airline travel, hotel accommodation, and exclusive seasonal travel packages. Locally, clients can avail discounts at over 150 shopping outlets and over 300 restaurants and coffee shops. For every KD 1 spent with World Elite Mastercard, clients earn three points for local transactions, and 6 points when they spend internationally.

The card also has other features like worldwide acceptance at more than two million ATMs and 33 million point-of-sale terminals, in addition to contactless capabilities which guarantee faster payments on service-enabled POS terminals, as well as cash withdrawal for up to 100 percent of the cardholder's credit limit.