Visa, Kenya Airways and Absa have announced the launch of the Asante Global Card, a premium travel-lifestyle credit card and the first of its kind in the Kenyan market. The card is aimed at professionals, frequent travellers and premium banking customers, and converts everyday spending into travel and lifestyle rewards. It launches under the “Your Life Rewarded” campaign.
The Asante Global Card is the first to unite an airline, a bank and a payments network in the Kenyan market, combining Kenya Airways’ route network, Absa’s local banking and Visa’s global acceptance. Customers earn Asante Rewards Points on their purchases, redeemable across the Kenya Airways network. The card’s name combines Asante, the Swahili word for gratitude, with Global, a reference to its use across the Visa network worldwide.
“We are seeing strong demand from Kenyan consumers for products that reward how they already spend and travel, and that demand is being driven by a generation that is earning more, travelling more and expecting more from the cards in their wallets,” said John Njoroge, Country Manager for Kenya, Visa. “The Asante Global Card responds to that directly, and we are pleased to bring our technology and global network to a card built for this market.”
Points accrue on all card transactions, from day-to-day purchases such as groceries, fuel and dining to travel and international payments.
“At Kenya Airways, we are constantly designing solutions that make travel more rewarding and accessible for our customers. This co-branded card is a natural extension of that commitment, allowing customers to earn travel rewards through their everyday spending,” said Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Kenya Airways. “As an airline that has connected Africa and the world for decades, we are proud to offer a product that turns daily transactions into opportunities for flights awards, point conversions and exclusive benefits across our network and partner airlines”.
Speaking about the partnership, Absa Bank Kenya’s Consumer Banking Director, Moses Muthui, said: “This launch is a powerful reflection of our purpose of Empowering Africa’s Tomorrow, together… one story at a time. Every customer has a unique journey, and personal aspirations that extend beyond borders. Through innovative partnerships such as this, we are helping to unlock opportunities, connect people to the experiences that matter most, and enable them to write the next chapter of their story wherever in the world it takes them.”
New Asante Global Signature cardholders will receive a welcome bonus of 10,000 Asante Rewards Points and 5,000 Asante Rewards Points for Asante Global Platinum Card holders.
Beyond points, cardholders receive complimentary airport lounge access, travel and medical insurance, additional baggage allowance and SkyPriority services worldwide. The card also offers curated experiences such as golf tournaments and wine tastings, plus local and international discounts on shopping, dining and lifestyle partners.
The Asante Global Card is available to eligible customers from 1st September. Customers can apply online at asante.kenya-airways.com; once the application is approved and the card activated, cardholders begin earning Asante Rewards Points on everyday spending. Details of the benefits, eligibility criteria and the Asante Rewards Points programme are available at the same address.
