Visa Asia Pacific has announced it has teamed up with Cathay United Bank in Taiwan to launch the first card in Taiwan to combine chip-based ATM access, with a contactless credit card, EasyCard features and EasyCard e-wallet functions all on one card. The new card called Visa payWave Combo EasyCard card is also the first use of Visa’s global Visa payWave name in the Asia Pacific region.

In 2005, Visa first launched its contactless card in Taiwan, which is the leading market for Visa contactless programs, ahead of Malaysia and Korea. As of March 2007 the number of Visa contactless cards in Taiwan has risen to more than 1.14 million.

With the new Visa payWave Combo EasyCard card, cardholders only need to one card when they take a train or bus, go shopping, as well as withdraw or transfer money at the ATM.
“The cumulative contactless spend volume on Visa contactless cards in Taiwan exceeded NT$3.07 billion in 2006, while spending volume was more than NT$1 billion in the first quarter of this year 2007. This is an increase of nearly 200 percent compared with the same period last year,” said Peter Manners, the regional head, Contactless, Emerging Products and Technology at Visa International.

Visa payWave Combo EasyCard card cardholders can enjoy a “no annual fee for a lifetime” privilege and receive a NT$200 cash rebate if they successfully auto-load their EasyCards before the end of 2007. From now until 30 April 2008, cardholders can purchase movie tickets on Fridays and Saturdays at Ambassador Cinemas at early-bird prices. Platinum cardholders can also enjoy “buy one get one free” when they purchase movie tickets at Ambassador Cinemas Monday through Thursday (the offer ends at the end of 2007). In addition, Visa payWave Combo EasyCard Platinum cardholders can choose to enjoy the privilege of either double bonus points or a 0.5 percent cash rebate.(Visa Asia Pacific)

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