[World Today reporter Choi In-ho] KB Kookmin Card (CEO Kim Jae-gwan) is rolling out a range of perks for cherry-blossom season travel to Japan, covering everything from booking discounts to local payment benefits.
First, KB Kookmin UnionPay credit and debit cardholders (excluding corporate and BC cards) can get an instant 15% discount when they spend at least ¥10,000 (about $67.00) per transaction at participating offline merchants in Japan. The promotion runs through May 13; discounts are capped at ¥2,000 (about $13.40) per transaction and can be used up to five times per card. Cardholders must pre-register on the KB Pay event page to take advantage of this offer, which also includes coupons redeemable at major retailers like Don Quijote and Bic Camera.
KB Kookmin Mastercard credit and debit cardholders (excluding corporate, BC, and Maestro cards) can also access hotel discounts for trips to Japan. Through KB Pay’s event pages — “Rakuten Travel: up to 20% instant discount” and “Klook: Japan cherry-blossom hotel bookings up to 28% off” — customers can download discount coupons valid through March 31.
Additionally, customers who sign up for the event by March 31 and spend at least ¥15,000 (about $100.50) at Don Quijote in Japan will receive a ¥2,000 (about $13.40) foreign-currency payback.
KB Kookmin is also operating the MTR (Mastercard Travel Reward) service for KB Kookmin Travelers Check Card Mastercard holders through March 31. After registering and activating the service, cardholders can earn extra cashback at retailers such as Bic Camera, Don Quijote, and Hankyu/Hanshin department stores.
At the same time, the “Again! Earn up to 1,000,000 Pointree for overseas use” event runs through March 22. After signing up, customers who spend at least ₩300,000 (about $225.00) at overseas online or offline merchants can earn up to 1,000,000 Pointree, depending on their spending tier.
A KB Kookmin Card spokesperson said the company designed the promotion so customers planning cherry-blossom trips to Japan can enjoy benefits from the reservation stage through their on-the-ground spending.
Full event details are available in the KB Pay app.
