Due to go live next year, the booking platform will allow SMCC cardholders and rewards members to book everything from accommodation to flights and car rentals while enjoying savings. The Japanese company is looking to expand its existing customer base and may introduce discounted travel packages tailored to cardholders in the future.
Nikkei reported that the travel portal will be linked to Olive, an all-in-one consumer finance app launched last year by parent company Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Olive has an estimated 2.3 million users and aims to become Asia’s next “super app.” This marks Olive’s first foray outside of travel and finance.
HTS is the B2B division of online travel agency Hopper, which uses data to bring transparency, flexibility and savings to travelers and helps financial institutions enhance travel rewards for cardholders.
“HTS is uniquely positioned to power SMCC’s travel portal and provide industry-leading travel booking options to tens of millions of cardholders and rewards members. We are excited to partner with SMCC on this initiative and look forward to the launch of the portal,” said Dakota Smith, president and co-founder of Hopper.
Yoshiro Kagata, Managing Executive Officer, SMCC, said, “At SMCC, we are committed to providing value to our customers in all areas, including beyond traditional financial services. Partnering with HTS to power this portal will provide our cardmembers with a new way to book travel in the Japanese market and make the most of their loyalty benefits.”
