CardGorilla: This Year's Credit Card Keyword Is 'PIVOT'... PLCC Landscape Shifting

Baedal Minjok-Hyundai to Shinhan, Starbucks-Hyundai to Samsung

The credit card platform CardGorilla announced on January 8 that it has selected 'PIVOT' as this year's credit card keyword.

P stands for 'Partner, PLCC (Private Label Credit Card).' Baedal Minjok, which had a contract with Hyundai Card, has switched its partnership to Shinhan Card, and Starbucks has moved to Samsung Card. Musinsa is also expected to switch to Samsung Card. Naver and Korean Air are also approaching contract expirations. Among popular PLCC cards, KB Kookmin Card's Coupang Wow Card was selected.

I stands for 'Intermediate Premium Card.' This refers to cards with annual fees ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 won. Examples include the three Hyundai Card Boutique Series, KB Kookmin Card Wish (WE:SH)+ Series, and Shinhan Card Discount Plan+ Card. The main card selected was the Shinhan Card Discount Plan+.

V stands for 'Global Premium (VIP).' As demand for overseas travel and direct international purchases increases, related marketing has also expanded. Mastercard is offering local benefit programs for overseas travelers through its Master Travel Rewards. American Express, in partnership with Lotte Card, has launched two Hilton Honors Amex cards. JCB, together with Hana, Samsung, and KB Kookmin Card, has released JCB-branded cards. The main card highlighted was the Hyundai Card Amex Gold Card Edition 2.

O stands for 'Option Card.' The key feature is the ability to combine and select major benefits. Samsung Card TapTap O, which ranked second among popular credit cards last year, is an example. It allows users to choose one of six lifestyle package options, such as shopping or coffee, to receive benefits. The notable product was the Samsung iD Select All Card.

T stands for 'Travel Card.' These cards are popular for offering free airport lounge access, preferential exchange rates, and exemption from overseas transaction fees. As exchange rates have risen recently, demand for these services has also increased. The main card selected was the Shinhan Card Sol Travel Check, a check card.

Go Seunghoon, CEO of CardGorilla, stated, "This year, there will be various changes centered around 'living expense benefits,' and consumers will seek out cards that provide rewards tailored to their own spending categories."