Last updated on September 6th, 2023
When it was first announced in 2021, financial and accessibility experts hailed the Mastercard Touch Card™ as a gamechanger in providing card products for blind and partially sighted people. Now, two years later, Citizens Bank is the first to bring the technology to the market, with a new cash back credit card aimed at private wealth customers.
Citizens Bank Launches New Citizens Private Client™ World Elite Mastercard®
Citizens Bank has launched a new cash back credit card exclusively for Citizens Private Client™ clients. The new Citizens Private Client™ World Elite Mastercard® offers 2% cash back on all purchases, lounge access, and more. What truly sets the card apart, however, is Mastercard’s Touch Card™ feature.
The First Mastercard Touch Card™ Credit Card in the United States
Mastercard Touch Card™ was first announced in 2021. The innovative Touch Card was created after input from the Royal National Institute of Blind People in the UK and the nonprofit Visions/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the US. Notches were selected instead of Braille, as research indicates that blind users do not use Braille when using their cards, according to Mastercard research.
Mastercard’s Touch Card improves accessibility for customers who are blind and partially sighted with innovative, tactile notches — rounded for debit, squared for credit, and triangular for prepaid — so anyone can identify their cards with just a touch. Mastercard’s Touch Card has been vetted and endorsed by various industry organizations worldwide.
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“The launch of the new Citizens Private Client Mastercard is an exciting milestone in our expanded partnership with Citizens,” said Linda Kirkpatrick, President of North America at Mastercard, in a press release. “Embedding Mastercard’s Touch Card feature exemplifies our mutual commitment to innovation and customer experience. We look forward to continuing to work with Citizens to create the best experiences for their cardholders.”
Impressive Travel Perks
But the new Citizens Private Client is more than just an innovative card seeking to redefine credit card accessibility. It’s also a valuable (and versatile) cash back and travel rewards credit card.
The Citizens Private Client Mastercard earns an unlimited 2% cash back rewards with every purchase. There are no caps on rewards, and cardholders never have to worry about their rewards expiring. Cardholders can cash out rewards as either a direct deposit into a Citizens Bank account or as a credit card statement credit.
What other travel perks does the card offer? There’s something for every traveler, with TSA Precheck or Global Entry fee statement credits, access to over 1,300 airport lounges via the Priority Pass Select network, and no foreign transaction fees when shopping abroad. There is also Worldwide Automatic Travel Accident & Baggage Delay Insurance coverage up to $500,000 thanks to World Elite Mastercard® benefits and protections.
“The launch of the Citizens Private Client metal card is another strong step in building a world-class offering for our Private Client customers,” said Brendan Coughlin, Vice Chairman and Head of Consumer Banking at Citizens. “We are committed to being our customers’ trusted financial advisor by providing cutting-edge products, advice, and experiences that reward them for their business and loyalty. This innovative launch with Mastercard is another example of the continued value our customers receive when banking with Citizens.”
For more information on the new Citizens Bank credit card, check out our comprehensive Citizens Private Client™ World Elite Mastercard® review.
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