New World Elite Affinity Launched: Sotheby’s (Source: WSJ)
 

New MasterCard World Elite Affinity Launched: Sotheby’s

From April 13, 2007 WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1176...N=wsjie/6month


This looks like good news. Not only will we have Saks clothes, now we will have Sotheby’s art. GE Money got the issuing financial institution position.

I am surprised the MoMa and the Met declined to partner. It is my impression that while not struggling these museums are not safely in the black. I think they missed out on a long-term opportunity here to truly secure themselves as world leading art institutions.

I would gather that the basic version, as they mention, will be a World MasterCard. The only potential downside I see is the lack of tax deduction for the donations. Doesn’t it get complicated if you use rewards given to you for spending as a donation and subsequently trying to determine and deduct the value from your taxes?

I hope they offer PayPass in some form with these cards even if the cardholder may be less likely to frequent typical PayPass merchants.

I forgot to check the Sotheby's website!

More info at: http://sothebysmastercard.com/

You can, of course, already use credit card points for charitable donations...

American Express
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...e=donateonline

Diners Club
https://www.citibank.com/dinersus/js...tegory=3cc1816

The free Domestic upgrades and Complimentary first-class companion tickets could be worthwhile depending on what airfair you need to buy etc.

wow, benefits seem awesome.. really invitation only? whats the fee?

I'm sure they'll let anyone get it. You just need a 5k min limit.

Sotheby's World Elite Mastercard
 

It appears that Sotheby's is getting into the credit card business by issuing through GE Money Bank both a World Mastercard and a World Elite Mastercard. They kicked things off with a full page ad in today's New York Times. Details on the World Elite card are at: http://www.sothebysmastercard.com/benefits_we.html

Previous discussion...

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=682318

one of the customized cards listed a mispelling of artists name!!
 

http://www.sothebysmastercard.com/benefits_we.html

It's Keith Haring, not Keith Harig...geez...come on Sotheebee's, fix it...

How You Can Reach Us
Customer satisfaction is extremely important to us. If you have any questions or suggestions about our service, please don't hesitate to contact us in one of the following ways, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Sotheby's MasterCard® Rewards Center: 888-421-9980
Sotheby's MasterCard® Customer Service: 800-303-3619

I called cust service, no voice prompts, only live person within two seconds...wow..those were the days.....

Could not find any way to apply for it. Does anybody know if they are taking new applications yet?

Never mind found it. World Elite card is by invitation only :(

Belong to the local art museum? @:-) If so, I suspect that the invitations for the card will soon be pouring in.

The website indicates a lengthly list of free admits to art museums in most big cities. I'll bet this also means that some mailing list deal has been made with the museums.

Before the card launched there was a information signup form. I signed up. Never heard boo after that. I'm even a member of the local fine art museum.

You can apply for the "World" version...

https://www.onlinecreditcenter2.com/...iteCode=sbmcl2

...which I speculate is a good way to subsequently be invited to upgrade to the World Elite version.

L.A. Times today has a half page ad (page A8) asking readers to call 866-507-8440 M-F 9-5 EST for info on the World MasterCard. When I called I got a recording which told me to look at sothebysmastercard.com (also in the ad). The ad features a photo of a somewhat demented looking Andy Worhol--wig on straight for a change.

The website has two cards listed. World MC at $85 per year (with online app) and the mysterious Elite by invitation only. After looking at the list of benefits on the web I suspect that even if the annual fee were a mere $85 (which is nothing to us high class art lovers) I wouldn't bite when the invitation comes. Now if the fee is waived for a year .... :)