Once again a number of credit-card promotional campaigns are on offer during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

All the major credit-card issuers attempt to attract customers with rewards, discounts and "cash back" benefits. So plastic card owners can select their favourite programmes according to their lifestyle.

Several card providers offer a car as the biggest prize.

Citibank offers a grand prize of a Volvo S80 2.OT worth Bt2,899,000 for its customers who shop at Central Plaza. The bank's credit-card holders will get a coupon for every Bt500 they spend to enter the draw.

Other prizes that the foreign card-issuer gives for the programme include luxurious hotel packages at Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Mae Sot. The bank's promotions run for now until January 14.

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), the country's biggest credit-card provider in terms of card base, appeals to customers with a "Get gold and car" campaign. The bank's card holders can join the programme by submitting their sales slips for every Bt500 spent using the card. The big prize in a lucky draw is a Chevrolet Aveo.

Campaign participants may also win one of 20 gold necklaces offered each week from now until December 25.

The country's largest commercial bank, Bangkok Bank, gives customers the chance to win one of 10 new Nissan Tida cars.

Every card holder spending at least Bt1,000 can enter into the monthly prize lucky draw to win one of the two cars awarded each month for five months. The more you spend, the better the your chance of winning one of the cars. But only new customers, who apply for the bank's credit card from now through March, are eligible for this promotion.

Meanwhile, shoppers who plan to buy electric goods or want to travel abroad during the New Year celebration should look at rewards available by using the KTC credit cards of Krungthai Card Plc under its Saturday Fever campaign.

KTC card holders are eligible for 50-per-cent discounts on Samsung electric appliances. For example, they can buy a 32-inch LCD TV at the special price of Bt22,495, half its full price of Bt44,990.

Customers of the local credit-card issuer, moreover, might receive Bangkok-Samui air ticket worth of Bt6,960 or Bangkok-Hiroshima worth Bt18,600 from Bangkok Airways for free.

To get these extra privileges and rewards, customers have to join the company's lucky draw every Saturday under the campaign rules. It runs from now through December 23.

K-Credit Card of Kasikornbank joins forces with CentralWorld in offering special promotions at the luxury department store.

Kbank is also cooperating with mobile-phone service provider DTAC, which gives an additional 5 per cent discount when customers spend via its card and show the DTAC maximise card. Also, customers can get a free hair drier or food processor when they spend Bt10,000 or Bt25,000 respectively.

The Krungsri-GE credit card attracts customers with gold ornaments offered in its "Amazing 5" programme. The bank's credit card holders are eligible to win one of five gold rewards, with a combined worth of Bt500,000, throughout this month.

Card holders are encouraged to save the sales slips for every Bt500 they spend. Five lucky customers will win gold equal to their total spending amount in December.

Another reward feature, cash back, from HSBC is also aimed at attracting customers during the holiday period. The British-based bank gives 8 per cent cash back in HSBC Shopping Vouchers.

When shopping for all items at Siam Paragon, The Emporium, and all branches of The Mall, Central and Robinson, HSBC cardholders will get cash vouchers for every Bt5,000 spent.

The promotion is reserved for HSBC customers who achieve a total spending amount under the campaign conditions. And they must register to request the voucher via SMS or fax. The privilege is available from today until December 31.

Somruedi Banchongduang

The Nation