AIR FRANCE - KLM and BANQUE LIBANO-FRANÇAISE announced their strategic and exclusive partnership to propose to their clients in Lebanon a new co-branded card that combines the advantages of an international VISA card as well as the privileges of the AIR FRANCE - KLM's Flying Blue Program. With the AIR FRANCE - KLM / BANQUE LIBANO-FRANÇAISE Card, clients can earn extra Miles on their Flying Blue account while making purchases. They also enjoy exclusive advantages, insurances, and personalized services.
AIR FRANCE - KLM / BANQUE LIBANO-FRANÇAISE Card's exclusive advantages:
- Up to 5,000 welcome Bonus Miles
- Up to 1.5 Miles earned automatically on the Flying Blue account for every 1 dollar spent with the card in Lebanon or abroad, in addition to the Miles earned when travelling with AIR FRANCE, KLM and Flying Blue airline partners
- Flying Blue Miles never expire as long as the card is used
- A network of more than 1,000 destinations with SkyTeam 19 airline members
- More Miles earned with Flying Blue non-airline partners, such as hotels, car rental agencies, and others
- Travel insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty
- Concierge services, personal accident insurance and access to international airport lounges for the Visa Signature cardholders
- Choice between Visa Signature or Visa Platinum, Charge or Revolving, Euro or Dollar Cards.
During the press conference held on the 7th of June 2013 at the Robert Mouawad Private Museum in Beirut, the partnership was announced in the presence of representatives from BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE, AIR FRANCE - KLM, and VISA, as well as business and media figures.
Mrs. Raya Raphael Nahas, Deputy General Manager at BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE, said: "BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE is proud to exclusively offer its clientele and the Lebanese market a
co-branded card in partnership with AIR FRANCE - KLM, the leading long-haul network on departure from Europe. The distinctive features of this Card will open the door to easy travel to all Lebanese ... With this partnership sealed, BLF will once again contribute to the Lebanese economic growth and to an accelerated shift to electronic economy."
Mr. Michel Colleau, AIR FRANCE - KLM Regional Manager for the Near-East, said: "The co-branded AIR FRANCE - KLM / BANQUE LIBANO-FRANÇAISE will allow all AIR FRANCE's loyal clients in Lebanon who are already members of the Flying Blue Programme, to increase their Miles and enjoy rewards such as tickets, class upgrades, and excess baggage... The Card will also enable occasional travelers with AIR FRANCE to enroll in the Program and discover its appealing advantages."
Mr. Tony Gougassian, General Manager of VISA - LEVANT, said: "VISA and BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE share a long and successful history of working together to bring meaningful benefits to consumers. We are delighted to partner with BLF to launch this co-branded Card with AIR FRANCE - KLM which will deliver industry-leading capabilities, security, convenience, experiences, and travel rewards to our cardholders. We are continuously enhancing our offerings with our customers' best interest in mind and confident about the success of this co-branded Card."
About BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE
BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE is a universal Lebanese Bank with USD 876 million in consolidated shareholders' equity and USD 10.4 billion in total assets as at March 31st, 2013.
During the past years, BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE has diversified its activities and currently provides services in five core areas: commercial, retail, investment, private and correspondent banking.
The Bank's growing international network includes subsidiaries in France and Cyprus (Banque SBA), Switzerland (LF Finance Suisse), and Syria (Bank Al-Sharq), in addition to a Representative Office in the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria, and a branch in Bagdad, Iraq. Locally, BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE has been gradually increasing its branch network, thus expanding it to 49 branches.
BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE has always been leader in card services and electronic banking. In 1982, the Bank issued the first card in Lebanon and it is today one of the most important cards issuers in Lebanon, in addition to owning a wide and extensive network of ATMs and points of sale.
About AIR FRANCE - KLM
AIR FRANCE - KLM is a major player in the air transport industry. The Group operates the leading long-haul network on departure from Europe.
In 2012, AIR FRANCE - KLM carried 77.4 million passengers and 1.4 million tonnes of cargo.
The Group's fleet comprises 573 aircraft. Its network covers 243 destinations in 103 countries from its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol.
The Flying Blue frequent flyer programme is leader in Europe and has over 21 million members.
With their partners Delta and Alitalia, AIR FRANCE and KLM operate the biggest transatlantic joint venture with more than 250 daily flights.
AIR FRANCE and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance which has 19 member airlines, offering customers access to a global network of over 15,500 daily flights to 1,000 destinations in 187 countries.
Press Contacts
BANQUE LIBANO-FRANCAISE
Tania Rizk, Group Communications Director
tania.rizk@eblf.com
Phone: +961 (1) 791 332, +961 (3) 791 332 (ext. 1457)
AIR FRANCE - KLM
Marlene Saydé, Communication Manager for the Near-East
masayde@airfrance.fr
Phone: +961 (1) 977 998, +961 (3) 632 363
© Press Release 2013
