In an era of volatile fuel prices and inflation, practicality and the quest for value take the driver’s seat. Shell, Citi, and Visa have partnered to deliver an exclusive credit card “designed to offer exceptional benefits” to cardholders.
Especially useful for motoring enthusiasts, the Shell Citi Platinum Visa card offers savings of up to P15,000 a year through rebates on Shell fuel, auto repairs, accessories, and services nationwide. Even NLEX and SLEX toll fees are included. Each cardholder also automatically gets free 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Speaking exclusively to The STAR, Citibank managing director and consumer business manager Manoj Varma said, “We’ve had the program for a little over 20 years now. It’s a great partnership with both Shell and Visa, and it’s a profitable program for us. Overall more than 10 percent of our customers have this Shell Visa card. What we’re doing this time around is enhancing and upgrading the features as well as the card itself.”
The Shell Citi Visa card will now have two variants: Gold and Platinum. “(Gold customers) have the option if they want to get enhanced features. For a slight increase in the annual fee, they can enjoy more benefits which more than pay back for the increase,” continued Varma.
New Shell Citi customers will get a P300 rebate on their first Shell fuel purchase, along with a welcome rebate of P5,000 after reaching the minimum spend requirement over a given period. Accumulated rebates can be redeemed to pay for Shell fuel. In a statement, Pilipinas Shell vice president for retail Anthony Lawrence Yam said that the company has been working with Citi to deliver “unique consumer offerings and product innovations.”
Stressed Varma, “Citi believes that partnerships are the way to go not just in the Philippines but globally.” Prior to his posting here, the executive worked in the US to manage the partnership cards programs there with large companies such as Macy’s, Home Depot, Sears, and Costco. “We believe there’s a significant opportunity in the Philippines as well to expand our partnerships with large, good brands that can complement the benefits and the value that customers get from being Citibank customers,” he maintained.
During the launch event held at the Wellington Centre in Bonifacio Global City, Autostrada Motore, Inc. (Ferrari Philippines) executive director Marc Soong made mention of the alliance of Shell and Ferrari for more than 70 years. “Citi is also one of the world’s most powerful brands. This card offers more perks for the end user. The Ferrari owners would like it, of course, since they always gas up in Shell stations,” he said to this writer. “I’m looking forward to using this car often, and I bring my cars to far-off places so it’s nice to know that there are a lot of Shell stations around the country.”
The company offered a ride-along and test drive of Ferrari vehicles to members of the media in attendance.