MasterCard eyes Indonesians craving exclusivity

Global payments and technology company MasterCard is intensifying efforts to tap opportunities in the Indonesian premium market segments by offering a variety of exclusive rewards and services for its premium card holders.

Among the select opportunities are wine privileges for the holders of MasterCard Platinum cards, access to passenger lounges at 750 airports for MasterCard World card holders and concierge services and exclusive dining for holders of MasterCard World Elite cards.

“Premium customers currently want payment solutions that provide exclusivity and special access, and can be accepted globally and providing a variety of special services,” MasterCard’s president for Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, Safdar Khan, said recently.

MasterCard is aiming for double-digit growth in debit and credit cards users in Indonesia next year, amid low credit card penetration in the country.

Data from Bank Indonesia show that, as of September, there were around 123 million active ATM cards and debit cards in Indonesia. The number of credit card holders, meanwhile, reached 17.22 million in October, up 2.85 percent on the year.

MasterCard has also recently sealed collaboration with domestic lender Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) Syariah to provide ATM cards for the bank’s customers who go on the haj and umrah. They have cooperated with a private bank in Saudi Arabia to provide special ATMs to better assist Indonesian pilgrims.

As the country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia sees nearly 200,000 people go on the haj every year.