Jordan Kuwait Bank (JKB) has joined hands with national airline Royal Jordanian to launch the ‘Fly and Plus’, a co-branded MasterCard credit card.

Abdul Karim Al Kabariti, chairman of Jordan Kuwait Bank, and Hussein Dabbas, president and CEO, Royal Jordanian, signed the agreement at the bank’s headquarters in Amman.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Denzil Lawson, general manager, Middle East and Levant, MasterCard Worldwide, Basel Eltell, vice president and regional manager, Levant, MasterCard Worldwide, and 'Moh’d Yaser' Al-Asmar, general manager of JBK.

Under the scheme, the 'Fly and Plus MasterCard' cardholders will be able to add points to their RJ Frequent Flyer Program (Royal Plus), whether travelling onboard Royal Jordanian or on any other member airline of the global aviation alliance (oneworld).

JKB’s clients who use these cards will receive one point for every JD10 they spend on local and international transactions, said the companies.

New Fly and Plus MasterCard cardholders will automatically receive 100 Royal Plus points upon joining the program and receiving their new cards, said Al Kabariti.

He stressed that the launch of the card will contribute to increasing awareness of the Royal Jordanian’s Royal Plus Program, and in encouraging travel on its planes.

'Signing the agreement and collaborating with MasterCard is in line with JKB’s commitment to support its clients and open up new opportunities for them to benefit from credit cards they hold and provide them with value added quality and distinctive banking services,' Al Kabariti said.

Al Kabariti pointed out that launching this card reflects the close and fruitful co-operation between Royal Jordanian and Jordan Kuwait Bank in various banking and financial fields.

Dabbas said launching the card will enhance the privileges granted by Royal Jordanian to its passengers- members of the frequent flyer program, and enhance the positive relations between the Jordan Kuwait Bank and its clients.

'Among other privileges of the Royal Plus Program is the ability to redeem points accumulated by the passenger’s trips with the Royal Jordanian and its allied members of the oneworld global alliance and purchases through the use of Fly and Plus MasterCard card.

'The other benefits that cardholders can acquire with the earned points include increased baggage weight allowance and the opportunity to get an upgrade to Crown Calss and free tickets on Royal Jordanian or its allied companies,' Dabbas added.

Lawson said, 'MasterCard was the best card for travel. Thanks to our extensive global and regional research findings on travel and tourism trends MasterCard understands the needs of both the business and leisure traveler.'

Eltell said people from the region, when travelling abroad or across the Middle East on business or leisure, need a flexible, convenient and an always-available payment method that is designed to cater to their discerning and individual needs.

'MasterCard provides innovative payment solutions which meet travelers’ needs and expectations, while granting them peace of mind wherever they travel around the world,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service