Summer Vacation? Ask Your Credit Card!

“During this year’s summer vacation, let your credit card be your best friend.”

Credit card companies have been experiencing difficulties due to the general decline in consumption this year. As the big-spending summer season rolls around, they are embarking on a heated marketing competition to reap high revenues.

Various opportunities for using hotels and resorts both domestic and abroad at discounted prices are pouring out, so it is important to check up on what benefits are available for the credit cards in your wallet.

BC Card has introduced “Summer Package” products for those with no time for long vacations away from the city, providing low-cost one-night stays at the Seoul Renaissance Hotel.

Platinum cardholders can take advantage of this offer at a 30 percent discounted price of 157,500 won, and regular cardholders can take 20 percent off the list price for just 180,000 won (per one double occupancy room). Included in the package are a night’s stay, complimentary breakfast, and free passes to the swimming pool and the health club. The offer expires on August 31.

BC Tour (www.bctour.co.kr), which is owned by BC Card, is offering vacation packages to Palau, a recently popular resort location, at a five percent discount. In addition, vacation packages to Jeju Island, departing daily from July 16 to August 31, are available at about 300,000~600,000 won (per two persons) with no-interest three-month financing.

Hyundai Card users can take 10 percent off list prices on Ticket Link, TicketPark, etc. when they buy tickets for the musical, “42nd Street,” before August 15. “42nd Street” is showing at the Popcorn House in Jeong-dong, Seoul. During the month of August, cardholders can also get a 10 percent discount on tickets to the Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday showing of the musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” playing at the Seoul LG Art Center.

Samsung Card is offering up to 50 percent off of passes to 12 famous tourist attractions at Jeju Island, including the submarine ride, the pleasure boat ride, and the Soingook Theme Park. The travel site owned by Samsung Card also provides a one-night, three-day “Hong Kong Night Goblin” package for 399,000 won, and a three-night, five-day “Bangkok-Pattaya” package for 299,000 won (per person).

For its AnyPass and Ji&Mi (知&美) cardholders, Samsung is also offering 30 percent discounts to Caribbean Bay in Yongin, Gyeonggi, as well as 50 percent discounts for free passes to Seoul Land until August 29.

Through August 15, KB Card holders can take 3,000 won off for themselves and one accompanying friend when they buy general passes to the swimming pool at Lotte World, and 20 percent off for passes to the Ice Rink. In addition, tickets to the Busan Aquarium are offered at 25 percent off, and tickets to the Kangwon Sorak Waterpia at 20 percent off.

During peak season, from July 24 to August 14, KB Card users also receive 30 percent discounts when staying at the Gyeongju Hilton. If they purchase a Jeju Poonglim Condo package (207,000 won), which includes roundtrip airfare, they can use a rental car at a 60 percent discount. Summer study abroad packages provided by Hanjin Travel, etc. are also available at a five percent discount.

Lotte Card has introduced a seven-day Russian vacation package for 2,140,000~2,190,000 won (per person), departing on July 13, 15, and 17. An accompanying roommate travels for half the original price. Lotte Card users also receive five percent discounts or no-interest six-month financing when they use Lotte Card’s travel service. Tickets to the ice ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at Sejong Art Center are available at 10 percent off between July 31 and August 3, and if a cardholder purchases a free pass to Lotte World during the same period, he or she can take 50 percent off of the list price.

Joong-Hyun Park sanjuck@donga.com