Mastercard Inc : A first in Africa: AfrAsia, MasterCard and Infinia launch pioneering travel rewards program

To tweet this news, copy and paste: XtraMiles rewards programme just launched in #Mauritius by @AfrAsiaBank collaborating with Infinia and #MasterCard

Mauritius:- and introduce Africa's first travel rewards program offering real time booking on over 450 airlines and at 200,000 hotels to its World and Titanium MasterCard cardholders. In collaboration with Infinia Services & Solutions and MasterCard, this travel rewards program enables cardholders to earn XtraMiles whenever they swipe their World or Titanium MasterCard credit cards. This innovative product underpins further the bank's unremitting commitment to creating value for its niche market and differentiating itself through unique products with priceless privileges.

XtraMiles is a new travel currency that clients can collect not only on everyday spending, but also on bank deposits and investments held with the Bank. With a secure, convenient and reliable live platform, customers can complete an entire transaction with just a few clicks of the mouse, searching for fares, choosing a trip itinerary, booking a flight or hotel, and pay using their XtraMiles in easy steps. Besides a complete accrual engine attached with Customer Relationship Management (including transactions and e-statements) and communication (sms and email) capabilities, there is no manual processing of rewards as the platform will be accessed by clients for automatic redemption.

In addition to flights, hotel stays and car rentals location worldwide for free, cardholders have access to an extensive range of benefits including exclusive and priceless lifestyle experiences, local rewards, online merchandise among others.

"At AfrAsia Bank, we believe that it is important to anticipate our customers' needs and wants, and tailor the most rewarding experiences for them. We are thrilled to be the first bank not only in Mauritius but in the African territory to introduce this revolutionary travel rewards program and living up to the strides we have taken to become our clients' financial partner of choice. The collaboration with MasterCard and Infinia to introduce the XtraMiles rewards program cements our position as the best private bank in Mauritius, which is also in line with our strategy to serve our valued clients locally and globally," says James Benoit, CEO of AfrAsia Bank.

"MasterCard and AfrAsia Bank have collaborated for more than six years to bring customers innovative products that complement their local and international lifestyles," commented Daniel Monehin, Division President, sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard. "We are thrilled that the bank has selected two premium MasterCard payment cards to introduce the first air miles rewards program in Mauritius."

Members will be able to engage with the AfrAsia XtraMiles rewards program via a simple online portal. Monthly statements and exclusive priceless offers will be shared via the portal and can be immediately redeemed - enhancing their experience and ensuring frequent engagement. If customers are already members of individual airlines' loyalty schemes, they will earn rewards on those schemes as well when paying with their qualifying MasterCard travel cards, effectively doubling their rewards.

Prashant Khattar, Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions said, "At Infinia we put our customer's customer at the forefront of our platform, offering them not only a wide range of products and services to choose from, but also a knowledge base to document behavioral spending."

On a concluding note, General Manager and Executive Director AfrAsia Private Banking Thierry Vallet pointed out that as a financial service's market leader in Mauritius, AfrAsia Bank tailors innovative banking solutions for customers, and partners with like-minded organizations. He pointed out that partnerships with MasterCard and Infinia, two organizations able to share global insight and experience, allows the bank to meet the demands of its affluent customers.

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About AfrAsia Bank Limited
Headquartered in the Mauritius International Financial Centre, AfrAsia Bank Limited is a boutique private and corporate bank, with the ability to tailor innovative banking solutions for both the local and international markets focusing on:
Corporate and Investment Banking - Private Banking and Wealth Management - International Banking Solutions

In addition to Mauritian shareholder, GML, other strong strategic partners include PROPARCO (subsidiary of the Agence Française de Développement), Intrasia Capital and Asiabridge. The Bank's core banking and transactional capabilities are bank representative offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, its asset management arm, AfrAsia Capital Management and its investment banking arm, AfrAsia Corporate Finance as well as its banking holding company, AfrAsia Bank (Zimbabwe) Limited.

About MasterCard
MasterCard(NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com,is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, @MasterCardMEAjoin the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blogand subscribefor the latest news on the Engagement Bureau

About Infinia
Infinia Services and Solutions provide customized loyalty solutions helping clients to understand their customer perceptions & buying behavior better. Infinia provides turnkey loyalty solutions combined with an integrated suite of technology application and services to help clients to take advantage of today's 'fluid' business environment and develop innovative ways to meet market demands.