Limited-time offer: Upgrade to Business Class on high-speed rail with your credit card—quantities available!

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

From now until May 31, 2012 (excluding peak travel periods), credit cardholders can upgrade to Business Class when traveling on the high-speed rail!

The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation states that the 18 issuing banks and companies participating in this limited-time Business Class upgrade promotion include: Public Bank, Yuanta Bank, Jih Sun International Commercial Bank, CTBC Bank, E.SUN Bank, Taichung Bank, Taishin International Bank, AEON Credit Service Taiwan Co., Ltd., Bank SinoPac, Bank of Taiwan, Mega International Commercial Bank, First Bank, Cathay United Bank, Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Metrobank, Chang Hwa Bank, Taiwan Business Bank, and Taiwan Shin Kong Commercial Bank.

Passengers must confirm with their card issuer that their credit card qualifies for the upgrade before purchasing an upgrade ticket. If using reward points for the upgrade, please ensure you have sufficient points, and inform the ticketing staff at any THSR station ticket window of your upgrade request when purchasing (Visa payWave contactless transactions are not applicable). By swiping a qualifying credit card at any THSR station ticket window to purchase a Standard Class reserved seat ticket, passengers may have the opportunity to upgrade to Business Class, with a maximum of 4 upgrade tickets per transaction.

This promotional upgrade offer does not apply during peak travel periods such as presidential and legislative elections, Lunar New Year, 228 Peace Memorial Day, Tomb Sweeping Festival, or Mother’s Day. The Standard Class reserved seat tickets purchased are valid for adult, child, senior, and disabled fares, but do not include group tickets, and cannot be combined with other Taiwan High Speed Rail promotions.

During the campaign period, up to 40 seats per train (excluding group charters) in Business Class are available for upgrade, as tickets are also open for general purchase. Passengers wishing to upgrade are advised to book early. Additionally, upgrade tickets can be changed once without a fee, but passengers must present a credit card that qualifies for the upgrade to process the change. Other regulations follow the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation’s Passenger Transport Implementation Guidelines and Passenger Notices.