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Visa card holders enjoy a 30 percent discount at Lotte Hotel Seoul. // © Lotte Hotels and Resorts |
Through March 2011, Visa credit card holders visiting South Korea can take advantage of discounts ranging from 5 to 50 percent off common travelers’ goods and services when they pay with their Visa credit cards, thanks to the Visa Preferred Merchants program. Goods, services and retail outlets include restaurants, bars, cafes, spas, salons and attractions.
For example, Visa cardholders arriving at Incheon International Airport in Seoul can enjoy promotional rates for SK Telecom Mobile phone rental service of up to 50 percent off. Preferential hotel room rates are also available, such as a 30 percent discount at Lotte Hotels in Seoul, Busan Jeju and Ulsan and a 20 percent discount at the Millennium Seoul Hilton.
To receive the discount, travelers must pay with a Visa card that was issued outside of Korea, as well as present a program booklet or applicable coupons that can be downloaded from the Visa Go Explore website.
In 2009, Visa cardholders from some 168 countries and territories spent approximately $1.5 billion in Korea; in 2008, they spent $1.3 billion.
“The program aims to help cardholders stretch their dollar and boost the tourism industry in Korea, said James Dixon, president of Visa Korea. “We believe that it can help make trips to Korea a memorable and rewarding experience.”
www.visagoexplore.com
