Visa Premium Cardholders Can Now Enjoy Exclusive Access to Perks at a Selection of the World's Most Prestigious PropertiesSAN FRANCISCO, Feb 24, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today announced the launch of the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection (VSLHC), a new premium travel offering enabling Visa Signature cardholders to find, book and enjoy unique benefits at a hand-selected group of prestigious properties throughout the world.

Visa Signature cardholders now have around-the-clock access to research and book accommodations at luxury properties around the world - from celebrated hotels and resorts to new boutique gems - gathered together by invitation and appraised annually to ensure consistency with VSLHC standards. Benefits can be accessed through www.visasignaturehotels.com or Visa Signature Concierge service.

The Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection offers cardholders access to a host of perks, which may include the best available rate, a room upgrade, VIP guest status, complimentary valet parking or internet access, a food and beverage voucher, complimentary continental breakfast, and late checkout privileges.¹

The new program was tailored to appeal to the most desired travel benefits. All perks offered by Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection ranked among the top ten important travel benefits in a 2009 survey of Visa Signature cardholders.² Complimentary room upgrades (53 percent) and free internet access (51 percent) were identified as the most important travel benefits among respondents.

The Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection is available to U.S.-issued Visa Signature cardholders and is the first offering in the new Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, a global travel benefit that will be introduced for premium Visa card programs in other regions around the world, creating Visa's first global premium travel benefit.

"Travel benefits consistently rank at the top of our Visa Signature cardholders' lists of preferred perks," said Stacey Pinkerd, Head of Global Consumer Products Strategy, Visa Inc. "The Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection enhances Visa Signature's ability to meet the lifestyles of today's affluent cardholder with access to the travel perks they value most. Whether planning a weekend getaway or a family vacation, Visa Signature cardholders can have confidence their accommodations will meet their expectations."

The Visa Luxury Hotel Collection is powered by Kiwi Collection, one of the most-selective collections of luxury properties. Hotels available through the new program range from exceptional foreign destinations, such as the Burj al Arab in Dubai and Amanpuri in Thailand to domestic luxury properties, including The Setai in Miami and The Pierre in New York.

For a limited time, Visa Signature cardholders who make a Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection booking and complete their stay will automatically receive a limited edition copy of Overnight Sensations - The Americas,³ an elegant, hard-cover book profiling select destinations with detail-rich photography and narratives designed to inspire travelers' imaginations.

For more information on the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and specific benefits, Visa Signature cardholders can visit www.visasignaturehotels.com.

About Visa Signature

Visa Signature is a premium payment card issued by banks in the United States. Visa Signature offers cardholders a range of benefits and perks, in addition to a number of rewards programs that may be offered by Visa Signature partners, such as airline, hotel and cash back programs. Visa Signature cardholders enjoy access to a host of benefits, such as complimentary concierge services, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, and warranty manager service, as well as special offers for perks focused on cardholder passions, such as travel, wine and food, sports and entertainment events. Perks range from everyday values, such as special offers on movie tickets and discounts at select retailers, to VIP tickets for premier concerts, Broadway shows and epicurean events, and once-in-a-lifetime packages for events such as the Olympics and FIFA World Cup. For more information about Visa Signature, visit www.visa.com/signature.

About Visa

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world's most advanced processing networks--VisaNet--that is capable of handling more than 10,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank, and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa's innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

¹ Benefits may vary by property and are subject to availability and restrictions. For complete terms and conditions, visit http://www.visasignaturehotels.com/about/benefits

² Source: Visa Research Services, 2009

³ Two thousand total copies of Overnight Sensations - The Americas, valued at $100/each, available while supplies last. Valid only for bookings made on the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection website with a valid U.S.-issued Visa Signature card. Offer fulfillment to occur upon completion of stay. Offer requires a minimum one night stay at any participating Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection property. Maximum one book per Visa Signature card number. Offer subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited

SOURCE: Visa Inc.

Visa Inc.
Kate Mulhearn, 650-432-1113
kmulhear@visa.com
or
Fleishman-Hillard
Kim Coutts, 619-237-7723
Kim.coutts@fleishman.com