Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Global Cash Access and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.
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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
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Arriva Card Now Offers Instant Underwriting of Credit on Carnival
Cruise Lines
Casinos on Carnival Cruise Lines Can Arrange for up to $10,000 of
Credit to Gaming Customers on the Spot
22 Carnival Ships to Offer "Arriva Card on Demand" at Their Casinos -
With Option to Apply for Arriva Card When Booking a Cruise
LAS VEGAS
Arriva Card (www.arrivacard.com), the first credit card designed
specifically for use in casinos, now offers instant underwriting of
credit throughout the entire Carnival Cruise Lines fleet. With this
new capability, casinos onboard Carnival ships can arrange for Arriva
Cards to be issued instantly for vacationers seeking more favorable
terms for casino credit card cash advances.
The casino completes the application for the customer through Arriva's
online proprietary credit review engine, and within minutes, approved
customers receive an Arriva Card with up to $10,000 of credit. The
customer has immediate access to the full credit line at the casino.
In addition, Carnival will be offering a link to the Arriva Card
application form on the Ocean Players Club Website (a casino rewards
program for Carnival guests), so when guests book a cruise they will
have the option of applying for an Arriva Card to utilize for onboard
gaming.
"Vacationers often find it difficult to receive credit approval over a
weekend or a short period of time. With Arriva Card on Demand we're
making it possible, and we're reducing the need for Carnival Cruise
Lines casinos to extend house credit. We can take applications and
instantly provide Arriva Cards to qualified gaming customers - with no
credit risk to the casino. Importantly, the customer can use it right
away, which is especially useful on a cruise where vacationers have
only a limited amount of time," said Todd Smith, senior vice president
of marketing at Global Cash Access, Inc. (GCA), parent of Arriva Card,
Inc.
All 22 Carnival Ships now offer Arriva Card on Demand, as do many
other nationally recognized casinos.
First Credit Card to Treat Casino Cash Advances as Entertainment
Purchases, not as Loans, at More Favorable Terms than Typically
Available
Arriva Cards give responsible gaming patrons with strong credit
histories more access to cash - and at better terms - than they'd
typically have with traditional credit cards.
"Traditional credit cards offer much less favorable terms for cash
advances than for purchases - even if those cash advances occur within
a casino. We know that in-casino cash advances are entertainment
purchases, like that of a theater ticket, fine dining experience or
hotel room, and not sheer loans. Accordingly, we reward customers for
using Arriva," said Mr. Smith.
Most credit cards charge higher rates for cash advances than they
charge for retail purchases; begin charging interest immediately after
the transaction (as opposed to giving a grace period like with retail
purchases); don't provide reward points for cash advances; restrict
cash advances to only a portion of the credit line; and generally
don't apply monthly payments against cash advance transactions until
the retail purchase balance is paid off.
Arriva takes a different approach. Arriva Card:
* Offers a true grace period on cash advances.
* Gives reward points for cash advances - unlike typical credit
cards.
* Allows cash advances of the entire Arriva Card credit line.
* Charges lower fees and interest rates on cash than many credit
cards.
Arriva Card is a product of Arriva Card, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GCA - News).
CIT Bank is the issuer of the card, and Arriva Card, Inc. is the
administrator and servicer of Arriva Card accounts.
The Arriva Card can be used in the 800-plus casino locations in the
U.S. and Caribbean that are GCA customers.
About Global Cash Access
Global Cash Access, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Cash
Access Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GCA - News), is the world's leading
provider of cash access and related services to the gaming industry.
Based in Las Vegas, GCA serves over 1,100 casinos and other clients in
the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia. With a singular
focus on the worldwide casino industry, GCA provides proprietary
technology that helps responsible patrons access cash via ATM, debit
card, check cashing and credit card cash advance transactions for
their gaming entertainment. GCA also provides services that enhance
casino marketing initiatives and credit management through its
wholly-owned subsidiary Central Credit LLC, a credit decision-making
tool that uses proprietary credit bureau databases. GCA is recognized
with numerous gaming industry awards for developing technologies and
services that enhance casino profitability and customer loyalty.
www.globalcashaccess.com. |