NEWS FLASH
Commenting on the agreement, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “The partnership with Visa, a global leader in the payment services industry, represents an important contribution to the further enhancement of our services. Air Serbia is actively working on expanding its premium offerings both during flight and beyond. The introduction of the first co-branded card is an important step in the joint development of a loyalty program that will provide an even better experience, combining the convenience of everyday transactions with travel privileges. We believe this will further motivate passengers to choose the Serbian national airline for their travels”.
Ana Drašković, Vice President and General Manager of Visa for Southeast Europe, added, “It is my great pleasure that we have gathered to formalise the strategic partnership between Visa and Air Serbia. As one of the ten oldest airlines in the world, and as a carrier that welcomed its millionth passenger in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Air Serbia represents a source of national pride that we must nurture and support each other. On the other hand, Visa is a global leader in digital payments, whose operations facilitate payment transactions and thereby open entirely new business horizons. We believe that our expertise, built through years of cooperation with leading global airlines, will contribute to the further digitalisation and modernisation of the customer experience for every Air Serbia passenger. Our shared goal is to offer users a unique product that combines payment security with the joy of travel and added value both at home and abroad".
Finally some progress with the new loyalty program
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a must have for an airline in the 21st century.
DeleteBetter late than never.
Finally a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteYes - Love it! Too bad it probably won’t be available outside of Serbia. In Slovenia GB could issue it, could it not, since it’s Serbian owned? Although they only have Mastercard.
DeleteThis was a game changer for many airlines. I read somewhere that the airlines earned more through credit card loyalty programs more than through flights.
DeleteNow we need to wait and see what monthly fee for this card would be.
ReplyDeleteReally depends on the bank they'll chose to issue it from.
DeleteA good idea would be for very frequent fliers to completely waive the monthly fee.
You really do not know how it earns money?
Delete@11:49 what are you talking about?
DeleteVisa card platinum holders already have complimentary premium check in at BEG as well as complimentary fast track at BEG if flying with Air Serbia, regardless of class of travel. I'm with Reiffeisen bank with this card.
DeleteThats it. Only if traveling with JU. On the other hand platinum visa gives free entry to numerous lounges worldwide.
DeleteThey cut lounge access because the lounge is constantly full.
Delete@12:03 I have the exact same perk with fast track at BEG with MasterCard Gold, albeit only if flying with JU, but the point is, it's not a Visa-exclusive perk like one might think.
DeleteThe new lounge can't open soon enough.
DeleteWow that's sick, congratulations. I've always loved these co-branded cards and still feel sad I gave mine up when I moved back home
ReplyDeleteAny info on which bank will be issuing these cards?
ReplyDeleteProbably Банкарска штедионица.
DeletePlease no. That bank is the worst bank ever.
DeleteBankarska štedionica doesn't exist. It's Poštanska štedionica. And it's one of two state owned banks in Serbia, so probably and unfortunately it will be PŠ.
DeleteDo you have any source or just randomly guessing? Despite Banca Intesa being private, lots of public companies do business through them, so my bet is on them.
DeleteI don't think it needs to be state owned bank to be honest. It probably won't be UniCredit as the whole group is focusing on Mastercard only. It might be Raiffeisen, they do those co-branded cards in other countries. It really can be any bank that does credit cards and issues Visa.
DeleteWish that it was Master instead, Visa probably eliminates me because of my account conditions at my bank. At the end of the day I could switch to different bank just because of that good looking card!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if partnership with Dina was possible, because each account holder in Serbia receives their card.
+1
DeleteYou should be able to take out any credit card at a bank you do not get your pay deposited to.
DeleteIf the annual fee is reasonable, I would go for the card as soon as it's issued. My current United Explorer card gives me 2 lounge accesses annually, a checked bag for free on every flight, and other benefits with TSA. Hopefully, JU uses some of it for their program.
ReplyDeleteKeeping fingers crossed!
+1
DeleteHow much does Chase bank charge you as a yearly fee? Or is it monthly?
Many thanks for the info.
Will it be possible only for domestic passengers to have it as the card will be issued in Serbia?
ReplyDeleteIf it so then it is extremely stupid.
In which country can Serbian citizen take out a foreign credit or debit card unless they have residency in that country? None.
DeleteThe point is that in every other European air company you can become FF member no matter where you live.
DeleteIf this Visa card will be the base for miles collecting it means that nobody who lives out of Serbia can become the member of FF program.
Omg visa card is not the base of the FF program. You can be part of the FF program from any country. You just can't get a Serbian credit or debit card through which you will be able to earn points through grocery shopping or going to the cinema just like Serbian citizens can't do that in any foteign country.
DeleteIt would make my day if it would be possible to get this card as a foreigner as me myself am not Serbian citizen nor live in Serbia, but travel often with Air Serbia. However I am 99,9% sure this will be a credit card issued by one of the banks operating in Serbia therefore it will be very hard to obtain if you are not Serbian citizen or you don't live and work in Serbia. It is same in all countries and I don't think this will be an exception (sadly but not surprisingly). You will still be able to join their FF program though.
DeleteI know WizzAir in the past had a co-branded MasterCard with Komercijalna Banka in Macedonia. There are ways to reach a wider audience. I would say this makes sense for AirSerbia, especially for the neighbouring countries and would promote brand loyalty.
DeleteLH offers Miles & More co branded cards in various countries. JU could do that with banks in the region. I could definitely see at least Bosnian and Montenegrin banks being interested in such a card.
DeleteYes it would make sense in countries where they have a good market share. But I think they will start with Serbia only and it will take some time until and if they introduce their credit card in other countries.
DeleteAir Serbia branded Visa card will, of course, only be available to residents of Serbia because Serbian banks will issue it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, of course there will be Air Serbia Frequent Flyer card separate from Visa card, available to anyone.
+1
DeleteKind of a pointless annoucement without any details regarding benefits, fees etc.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteEverything about fees is up to the bank offering this card.
DeleteGoing by other rewards credit cards available in Serbia, the benefits will probably be laughably bad / pathetic
DeleteMašala.
ReplyDeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDelete