Personal Credit Cards Around the World

Delivery

This report comes in PPT.

Key FINDINGS

Hotel co-branded cards remain an uncommon offering

Hotel co-branded cards are only present in nine of the 47 markets surveyed. They are by far the least saturated type of partnership. Airlines and retailers, on the other hand, have cultivated significant portfolios around the globe, and are well represented in most countries. Some brands, such as Lufthansa, issue co-branded cards across a number of countries and regions. Issuers have found ways to continue to cultivate new relationships across a range of different merchants.

Asia Pacific and the Americas lead credit card usage

Asia Pacific was the largest region in the globe for personal credit card transactions in 2018. It also led the world in total number of co-branded credit cards, as well as co-branded credit cards per country. Credit card offerings in Asia Pacific are diverse and often unique, with a wide variety of rewards systems, as well as unique features and benefits. The Americas, on the other hand, sees significant value transactions on personal credits, particularly as a result of strong usage in North America. US cards often set the global standard for what a highly successful card looks like.

Low interchange fees hamper some markets

Rewards have become relatively scarce in a number of European markets, largely as a result of reduced interchange fees, which make it challenging for issuers to finance the benefits that are associated with personal credit cards in some of the most credit heavy markets.

Card benefits often aligned with operator platforms

Many of the largest card operators offer tiered card platforms and services. These services, such as concierge services, insurance offerings and lounge access, are often similar in markets around the globe.