Mitsui Sumitomo Card announced the launch of its new campaign offering up to 7% rewards on Visa tap payments made via smartphones for public transportation, starting February 25, 2025, and running until May 31, 2025.
This promotion allows users with eligible cards who utilize Visa tap payment through Apple Pay or Google Pay to earn rewards, enhancing everyday commuting or travel experiences with significant savings. The campaign shines by enabling the accumulation of V points on routine transportation costs, making it exceptionally appealing for daily commuters and students alike.
When using the specified tap payment system on included railway and public transit services, users can receive up to 1,000 V points as part of the rewards scheme. Notably, the maximum cashback of 7% includes the usual point earning rate of 0.5%, with the additional benefits layered on top. For regular card usage without the smartphone feature, the reward rate reduces to 1.5%.
Among the participating transport service providers, Mitsui Sumitomo Card highlights major players such as the Keio Line, Tokyu Railways, Osaka Metro, and the West Japan Railway, affirming its widespread applicability across various regions and transport sectors. This includes numerous regional railways across Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
To encourage participation, Mitsui Sumitomo Card has emphasized the simple setup required for eligible users. To qualify, customers need only to verify they hold one of the participating card types—ranging from the Olive Flexible Pay series to various general and gold card options—and configure it for use with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The rewards will be calculated based on the total expenditure during the promotional period, which means customers can amalgamate spending across several carriers for calculating potential points earned. It’s also noteworthy to mention the cap of 1,000 points for multiple cardholders, enriching those frequent travelers who utilize various cards to establish their payments.
Maintaining transparency, Mitsui Sumitomo Card has highlighted conditions where rewards will not be applicable. This includes stops where tap payment readers are not installed, any payments made for non-participatory transport services like some buses, or cash transactions at stations lacking the appropriate hardware.
For perspective, this campaign provides compelling examples of potential savings. A commuter who typically spends 30,000 yen on their public transport pass could earn 2,100 V points—equivalent to about 2,100 yen—by simply utilizing the app-based tap payment option rather than traditional payment methods.
This broad initiative lays groundwork for enhancing daily commuting expenses—an area where all travelers often look for savings. According to the company, the additional point earnings can be beneficial not only for transportation budgets but also for future shopping or travel, as V points can be redeemed through many retail outlets.
Participants are encouraged to start utilizing the campaign by setting their eligible cards on their smartphones for seamless payments. This operational simplicity, combined with the appealing reward structure, is expected to attract significant customer interest.
Overall, this campaign aligns with broader trends toward digital payments and contactless transactions, echoing consumer preferences identified through recent studies. Mitsui Sumitomo Card's initiative demonstrates its commitment to adapt and appeal to modern financial behaviors, ensuring users experience significant benefits from the latest technologies.
For additional inquiries about the campaign, consumers can visit the dedicated campaign page, wherein details about eligible cards, participating transport services, and specifics on how to utilize the tap payments effectively are extensively outlined.