FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK ANNOUNCES THE NEW BRITISH AIRWAYS VISA PLATINUM CREDIT CARD

Bridgetown, Barbados March 23, 2009. FIRSTCARIBBEAN and British Airways are pleased to announce the new and exciting co-branded Visa Platinum Card. This partnership will provide FirstCaribbean credit card customers with a distinctly rewarding experience by offering them one of the best travel rewards programs in the industry with an excellent airline. 
 
“FirstCaribbean is excited to announce this wonderful partnership whereby we are providing our customers with a great product to meet their needs. Visa and British Airways trust in our brand is an invaluable endorsement for the years we invested in working towards being number one”, says Chief Marketing Officer Peter Steenveld. 
 
Indeed, it is expected that the synergy created by this joint card will signal a new dimension of credit card activity in the region. The Bank’s brand and regional footprint, plus the British Airways brand and destinations are an exciting combination that brings to mind myriad possibilities for both the adventurous and the practical. 
 
Simon Talling-Smith, Executive Vice President Americas for British Airways agrees; saying “We are delighted to partner with FirstCaribbean International Bank to bring these innovative new cards to our customers in the Caribbean. British Airways has proudly served the Caribbean for over 60 years and we are thrilled to provide our loyal customers in this market with an exciting new way to collect BA Miles.” 
 
“The new Platinum card is exciting in a number of ways”, explains Chief Marketing Officer, Peter Steenveld. The British Airways Credit Cards distinctly provide 2 BA miles for every US$1 spent for airline tickets and 1 mile for every dollar on other purchases. Cardholders will also enjoy a sign up bonus of 5,000 BA Miles as well as no annual fee for the first year as an added benefit. These miles can also be redeemed on participating partner airlines, including Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines® and members of the oneworld® alliance.” 
 
oneworld® is a global alliance that brings together ten of the world's biggest and best airlines, all committed to providing world-class service and value flying to almost 500 destinations in nearly 150 countries, taking you to exciting locations like Tokyo, Japan, Melbourne, Australia and Madrid, Spain. 
 
Reward flights from the Caribbean to North America on partner airlines start at 35,000 miles and flights to Europe start at as few as 50,000 BA Miles. BA Miles can also be used for upgrades on British Airways flights. 
 
The many privileges offered by Visa Platinum include: free travel accident insurance, journey accidental insurance, free auto rental insurance, extended warranty coverage, personal concierge service, emergency medical indemnification assistance, baggage loss insurance, legal expenses insurance, trip cancellation insurance and personalized travel agent service. 
 
Cardholders who use their British Airways Visa Platinum Credit Card to purchase a qualifying, full fare ticket in First, Club World(SM)(business class) or World Traveller Plus(SM) (premium economy) from the Caribbean to anywhere British Airways flies, can receive a companion ticket.* 
 
Said Lorna Atiles, Senior Business Leader for the Caribbean region, Visa Inc: "This is a significant alliance because it demonstrates Visa’s commitment to join forces with leading brands in order to offer enhanced services to cardholders around the World and in the Caribbean." 
 
 Customers may apply for the new British Airways Visa Platinum Credit Card at any FirstCaribbean branch. Applications are also available online at www.firstcaribbeanbank.com.
 
 
 * Conditions apply