LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - June 3, 2010) - Effective immediately, the SA Travel Card, a safe and convenient prepaid card, is being offered by Barclays PLC in association with one of South Africa's largest retail banks, Absa Bank Limited. It is supported by Visa, one of six global partners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The new SA Travel Card comes in advance of what will be an international convergence on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup competition, and eliminates concerns travelers might have about carrying large sums of cash, locating specific bank ATMs, and the like.
Once money is loaded (South African local currency is the Rand -- ZAR) onto the card, cardholders can use it anywhere, anytime in South Africa. The card can be purchased immediately upon arrival at one of South Africa's international airports, as well as at all Absa Bank branches and most of the country's world-class hotels, making it the safest and best alternative to carrying cash.
"The SA Travel Card is as good as cash in the hands of the international visitor. There's no need to carry loads of cash, as the card allows the visitor to use it everywhere in South Africa as a means of payment," says Mutsa Sibanda, Absa's Head of Debit & Prepaid Card Consumer Issuing.
"For the host country, South Africa, events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ will leave a legacy in terms of improved infrastructure, financial literacy and increased tourism. Understanding the significance of sport in Africa, Visa is proud to demonstrate our commitment to the region through comprehensive local programmes associated with our FIFA sponsorship," says Charles Niehaus, General Manager: Visa sub-Saharan Africa.
Safe, convenient and easy to use, the SA Travel Card gives cardholders instant access to cash from any ATM across the country, and allows them to pay for goods and services wherever the Visa logo is displayed. All transactions performed with the card are free of charge.
In the unfortunate event of the card being lost or stolen, the cardholder can contact the Absa Stop Card Centre at their 24/7 toll-free number, to block the card immediately. A replacement card, with the remaining balance loaded, can be requested at a range of national Absa Bureau de Change branches.
Because the card is valid only in South Africa, the remaining amount on the SA Travel Card can be converted upon departure into the visitor's currency of choice at any one of the Absa Bureaux de Change.
The SA Travel Card scooped the international Visa Card Design of the Month Award in October last year. Its impressive, typically South African aesthetic look -- showcasing the Big Five -- certainly suggests the card will become a souvenir item.
Visitors wishing to make their stay in South Africa more convenient can visit an Absa Bureau de Change branch to obtain an SA Travel Card, or contact the Absa International Banking Helpline on 0860 151 151.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Paul Gendreau
PGPR
818-985-0245