US: Online travel agency [OTA] Booking.com is rumoured to be preparing to launch a credit card in the United States that would be co-branded with an unnamed company, after a LinkedIn post this week sparked speculation.
On Tuesday, Jonathan Rossman, posted on LinkedIn that he was hiring for employees interested in “helping to build and grow a unique and differentiated cobrand product for one of the largest travel companies” and a job description below stated that he was hiring for a “manager, co-branded credit card growth and strategy”. According to Rossman’s LinkedIn profile, he joined Booking.com earlier this year and has previously held roles as a VP in commercial card product management and rewards at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a senior management position in airline loyalty strategy and innovation, as well as doing stints at both Travelport and British Airways.
The job posting furthermore suggests that the role is new and is considered a top priority for the company among growing competition for online travel products and services across the market.
There is also currently no indication as yet who the partner would be for Booking.com’s co-branded credit card, although Booking.com is powering a new travel booking portal with global investment bank Citi – Citi Travel with Booking.com – that was announced earlier this year. The portal enables cardholders to book accommodation, flights, car rentals and attractions, as Booking.com works towards facilitating a “connected trip” to drive loyalty for its users.
Booking.com competitor Hopper has previously partnered with Brazilian neobank and digital financial services platform, Nubank, and Capital One to power their respective travel portals as more unexpected players enter the segment.
In July, Expedia Group announced a retail partnership with hypermarket and discount department store chain, Walmart, to power its new travel website, WalmartPlusTravel.com. As a result, Walmart+ [Walmart’s subscription program] members will have access to more than 900,000 properties, 500+ airlines, 100+ car rental companies, and “thousands” of activities around the world.
