By Wei Ruyu, Compiled & Reported
From now until May 31, 2012 (excluding peak travel periods), credit cardholders can upgrade to Business Class when traveling on high-speed rail by using their cards to purchase tickets.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation announced that the 18 participating card-issuing banks and companies 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, Bank SinoPac, Land 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.
A simple swipe of your card could earn you a more spacious seat in Business Class, making your journey even more comfortable. (Photo provided by Mook Magazine Editorial Department)
Before purchasing an upgrade ticket with your credit card, passengers must confirm with their card-issuing bank that their card qualifies for the upgrade. If you plan to use 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 at the time of purchase (Visa payWave contactless transactions do not apply). Passengers holding eligible credit cards can purchase standard-class reserved seat tickets at any THSR station ticket window and may be upgraded to Business Class, with a maximum of four upgrade tickets per transaction.
This promotional upgrade offer does not apply during peak travel periods such as presidential and legislative elections, Chinese New Year, Peace Memorial Day, Tomb Sweeping Day, and Mother’s Day. The standard-class reserved seat tickets purchased under this promotion are applicable to adult, child, senior, and disabled fares, but not group tickets, and cannot be combined with other Taiwan High Speed Rail promotions.
During the promotion period, a maximum of 40 seats per train (excluding group charters) are available for upgrade to Business Class. Since 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 the passenger must present the eligible credit card used for the original purchase. Other regulations shall follow the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation’s Passenger Transport Implementation Guidelines and Passenger Notices.