Williams-Sonoma and Barclaycard Announce New Visa Card

<p class="bwalignc"><i>Co-Branded Card Offers Loyalty Program and Rewards for Cooking and Entertaining Enthusiasts</i></p><p><location value="LU/us.ca.sanfrn" idsrc="xmltag.org">SAN FRANCISCO</location>--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams-Sonoma and Barclaycard today announced a new co-branded Visa credit card and loyalty program that enables cardholders to earn reward points for purchases made everywhere Visa is accepted. Cardholders can redeem points for culinary themed awards including Williams-Sonoma gift cards, statement credits for recent Williams-Sonoma purchases, customized travel packages, and cooking events at select Williams-Sonoma stores. </p><p> The new <person>Williams-Sonoma Visa</person> card includes one year of free standard shipping for online purchases through the Williams-Sonoma Reserve™ Program. It also includes a 24/7 Custom Concierge through the Visa Signature Concierge program and exclusive benefits for bridal registrants. The card offers the most generous loyalty program in the culinary/home goods space, providing a fast and simple way for customers to realize savings, as well as gain access to exceptional products and experiences from Williams-Sonoma. </p><p> Cardholders will earn three reward points for every dollar spent at Williams-Sonoma and one point for every dollar spent everywhere else Visa is accepted. They also will receive 2,500 bonus points after the first qualifying purchase, which can be immediately redeemed for a <money>$25</money> gift card or statement credit. Cardholders will also enjoy a customized Visa Signature Concierge service that both <person>Williams-Sonoma Visa</person> Signature <i>and<b></b></i>Platinum cardholders can access. The concierge service includes complimentary access to 24-hour assistance on dining reservations, travel plans and special event ticket purchases. It also features a customized gift giving service to help cardholders find the right Williams-Sonoma gift when they are shopping for friends and family and luxury travel packages designed with the Williams-Sonoma customer in mind. There is no annual fee for the card. </p><p> In addition, the program rewards bridal registrant cardholders with three points for every dollar spent on gifts purchased by others from the cardholder’s Williams-Sonoma bridal registry and a first wedding anniversary discount. </p><p> “The Williams-Sonoma Visa card provides an outstanding way for cooking and entertaining enthusiasts to engage more frequently with the Williams-Sonoma brand,” said <person>Richard Harvey</person>, President, Williams-Sonoma brand. “We're excited to offer a program that will reward both our existing customer base and our new customers with new culinary experiences and exclusive savings on the products they love from Williams-Sonoma.” </p><p> “We're thrilled to partner with Williams-Sonoma and Visa to bring this program to consumers,” said Surinder Singh, Managing Director-US Cards, Barclaycard US, the payments business of Barclays in <location value="LC/us" idsrc="xmltag.org">the United States</location>. “We've taken great care in working with Williams-Sonoma and Visa to ensure that the rewards, benefits and service reflect the quality and values of the Williams-Sonoma brand and deepen the connection with Williams-Sonoma customers.” </p><p> In addition to the premium awards they will earn, <person>Williams-Sonoma Visa</person> Signature cardholders will gain instant access to dozens of perks, including access to: exclusive benefits at 800+ participating properties of the <b><location>Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection</location></b>; once-in-a-lifetime <b><org>Sports & Entertainment</org> events </b>— like Olympic Games and FIFA WorldCup; special ticket access and VIP experiences at <b>Fine Wine & Food events </b>and the <b>Custom Concierge program</b>. Williams-Sonoma Visa Signature Cards also come with additional benefits including Warranty Manager Service, Purchase Security; Lost Luggage Reimbursement; <org>Travel Accident Insurance</org> and Travel & Emergency Assistance Services. </p><p> Williams-Sonoma Visa Platinum cardholders will have access to the <b>Custom Concierge program</b> as well as emergency card replacement and cash disbursement plus secondary auto rental collision damage protection and a myriad of merchant discounts too. </p><p><span class="bwuline"><b>About Williams-Sonoma</b></span></p><p> Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a specialty retailer of high-quality products for the home. These products representing six distinct merchandise strategies – Williams-Sonoma (cookware and wedding registry), <org>Pottery Barn</org> (furniture and bridal registry), <org value="ACORN:3453043819" idsrc="xmltag.org">Pottery Barn Kids</org> (kid’s furniture and baby registry), PBteen (girls’ bedding and boys’ bedding), <person>West Elm</person> (modern furniture and room decor) and <person>Williams-Sonoma Home</person> (luxury furniture and cashmere throws) – are marketed through 586 stores, six direct mail catalogs and six e-commerce websites. </p><p><span class="bwuline"><b>About Barclaycard US</b></span></p><p> Headquartered in <location value="LU/us.de.wilmtn" idsrc="xmltag.org">Wilmington, Del.</location>, Barclaycard US creates customized, co-branded credit card programs for some of the country's most successful travel, entertainment, retail, affinity and financial institutions. The company employs 1,300 associates. For more information please visit <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barclaycardus.com%2F&esheet=6863723&lan=en-US&anchor=www.barclaycardus.com&index=1&md5=74265fd518d1bf21e6da975e789d306e">www.barclaycardus.com</a>. </p><p> Barclaycard, part of Barclays Retail and Business Banking division, is a leading global payment business that helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit when needed. </p><p> The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments, and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment options for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future. It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the British Government. Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organizations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit. </p><p> Barclaycard operates in <location value="LC/us" idsrc="xmltag.org">the United States</location>, <location value="LR/eur" idsrc="xmltag.org">Europe</location>, <location value="LR/afr" idsrc="xmltag.org">Africa</location> and the Middle and Far East. </p><p> For further information about Barclays, please visit <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barclays.com%2F&esheet=6863723&lan=en-US&anchor=www.barclays.com&index=2&md5=6bd890c010f67ab047c690e4129e9b7b">www.barclays.com</a>. </p><p></p><p><img alt="" src="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20110915006741r1&sid=acqr4&distro=nx" /><span class="bwct31415" /></p><p> Barclaycard US<br /><person>Matt Fields</person>, 302-255-7807<br /><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p>Source: Barclaycard US</p>