More and more people tend to own at least one credit card each, and ordinary credit cards no longer indicate privilege. Some people would like to have something special that marks them as being part of an exclusive class. The "platinum" card serves this purpose.

You may want a credit card that offers you more than just credit services.

You may want it to lend you a hand during an emergency and provide you with the services of a personal secretary along with other exclusive privileges.

A platinum card then is the right metallic variant for you.

Platinum has more value than gold and silver cards. Card-issuers want platinum cardholders to feel that they are their special customers.

American Express (Amex), an international charge-card issuer, gives its platinum cardholders both assistance and privileges. For overseas travellers, for example, the company helps in making reservations for international air tickets and reservations in hotels or restaurants and provides assistance in matters relating to health, legalities and lifestyle.

When Amex cardholders travel with the platinum card, they get assistance for no additional charge.

This includes arranging hospitality packages for overseas trips that are valid up to 90 days. The company can also help its platinum cardholders find translation services overseas.

Amex platinum cardholders can also save up to 40 per cent on published room rates at over 3,200 partner hotels worldwide. Limousine services, aircraft or yacht charters and apartment or villa rentals are available at Amex card centres.

However, membership for Amex platinum card is by invitation only.

Another international financial institution, Citibank, also offers a number of privileges as well as security with an embedded-chip card for its Citibank Platinum Select cardholders.

Unique features include a "cash-back" privilege of up to 5 per cent on each transaction and double-reward points when using the card abroad.

The card also covers cardholders for roadside assistance in the case of breakdowns and free car rentals while the car is being repaired.

Citibank Platinum Select card offers parking reservation service at leading shopping complexes such as Siam Paragon, The Emporium and the Gaysorn building. The bank's cardholders can also get exclusive limited-edition gifts. Customers who want to apply for the bank's premium card must earn at least Bt 70,000 a month.

Each month the highest spenders of Citibank Platinum Select will be given one night's free stay in a suite at the Royal Orchid Sheraton hotel where Bhutan's Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck stayed during his visit to Thailand for the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne last month.

The bank's promotional campaign is available starting on July 15 to September 30.

Siam Commercial Bank also gives its platinum cardholders 10,000 reward points for at least five transactions within 30 days after the approval of the card.

The reward points can be exchanged for air tickets within a week from any airline company or for other gifts. The offer starts today and lasts till September 30.

Platinum cardholders of the local bank also get concierge service, roadside service and medical service.

Some card-issuers offer more than one choice of premium card to different groups of customers.

Krungthai Card (KTC) offers KTC Visa Platinum card and KTC Titanium Master card, which require a minimum salary of Bt 70,000 and Bt 40,000 per month respectively.

The country's largest credit-card service-provider, in terms of the number of people holding the cards, offers double reward points for spending on the company's card in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The non-bank firm also offers life-insurance policies to its premium cardholders.

The Central Master Card Platinum is issued by Central Department Store by invitation for those to those between 20 and 65 years of age with a minimum monthly income of Bt 250,000 for employees and Bt 1.5 million for the self-employed.

Special benefits from the Central Master Card Platinum include 5-per-cent discount at Central, as well as an early preview day for Central Midnight Sales and Private Sales.

Holders of the department store platinum card can add to their mileage with Royal Orchid Plus, at double the points per mile.

Platinum Lounge Service at Central Chidlom, and Privileged Platinum Parking at Central Department Stores at Chidlom, Lad Phrao, Bang Na, and Pinklao are other services.

Somruedi Banchongduang

The Nation