UOB Visa Signature Card

The latest credit card to hit town, with sufficient wow factor, is the UOB Visa Signature Card.

It seems that UOB is Visa's preferred bank in Singapore for launching new cards. Remember that very cutsy Visa mini, which was small enough to sling on your key chain? And if I'm not wrong, but I stand corrected, UOB was the bank that first launched the Visa Platinum card.

The concept behind the travel card is a fantastic one. I mean who can say no to complimentary upgrades to business class travel, discounts at premium hotels, dining priviledges at restaurants worldwide and even having to spend less on the card (as compared to other credit/travel cards) to qualify for the travel perks.

Until of course when you try to use the card and find yourself coming down to earth with an almighty thump. This is provided you were one of those lucky enough to be issued your card early, without having to hear the standard reply that due to overwhelming response at the card launch, processing may take a little while longer. Even as you politely thank the customer service officer, you find yourself wondering why did UOB not deploy more manpower to the processing department to deal with the surge. Perhaps sometimes, even the much vaunted private sector does have its off days.

Anyway, back to gravity, coming back to earth and the realities of trying to use the card. Then you realise as with all other travel packages, the special packages offered by the card is very much tied to the period in which you are travelling. That is, the charges are much higher during peak periods and lower during off peak. Surprisingly, you are not allowed to book travel packages for non-card members if the cardholder is not part of the travelling group. Yes, this applies even to your family members.

And some dates are black out dates, like for example, 'the date you wish to return is a blackout date', the travel planner helpfully informed me. As I did not have an alternative return date, I left without booking my holiday. After I waited at UOB Travel Planners at a queue that did not move for more than 30 minutes!!!

Which made me think how different are the packages offered by this credit card that makes it very different from the tour packages that you can select from Natas/Chan Brothers/SA travel fairs? At least at such travel fairs, consumers can pay for packages using any credit card they fancy, and/or buy packages for family members even if they are not travelling in the group. Failing which, there is the DIY travel package option where consumers book everything via internet and are not subjected to blackout dates. I subsequently booked my tickets online at SIA's website, for the precise same dates that UOB Travel Planners could not issue.

Perhaps I have expectations of a travel card that this card is unable to fulfil. Or perhaps the card was launched a tad too hastily, without having all the concepts thought through. Launching a travel card without any permanent travel benefit differentiating it is shooting yourself in the foot; since even complimentary business travel upgrade is a promotion that ends in October. Having so many terms and conditions attached does not endear the card to its holder either, especially since one has to fork out good money in the process too.

At dinner earlier, the Visa Signature advertisement came on. I spluttered with indignation at the "no black out dates" portion. But you have to give it to them for coming out with such a brilliant tagline - Where will your signature take you?

For me, it's taking me to Hong Kong in October, with my trusty DBS card.