“Double the benefits” – How the Finnair Visa credit card is a part of Mari’s and Petri's daily life
It’s a sunny early autumn day in downtown Helsinki. Two Finnair Visa credit cardholders Mari Marjakuusi and Petri Nousiainen, have headed out to show us how the card plays a crucial role in all their everyday purchases. In addition to making secure and flexible payments, Mari and Petri both collect Avios, the loyalty currency of the Finnair Plus program.
”Double the benefits”
Petri Nousiainen enjoys his job as a personnel development manager. He also loves spending time with friends and his goddog, Simo-Antero. His free time is filled with travel, culture and good food.
Nousiainen has used the Finnair Visa credit card since its launch. His Finnair Plus membership level is Basic. He feels that Basic is just right for him at the moment, but he’s noticed that his monthly purchases bring in tier points, making the next level, Silver, quite achievable when combined with travel.
Nousiainen says that he uses the Finnair Visa credit card everywhere possible – even for friends’ experiences when the opportunity arises. The card is conveniently available as a payment feature on his phone.
“I pay for absolutely everything with the Finnair Visa credit card, from weekly groceries to home decor, dinners, lunches, hotels and travel,” Nousiainen lists.
The card offers flexible payment periods if needed, though he says he usually pays the credit card bill as soon as it arrives.
“Finnair Visa is suitable for anyone who uses a credit card as a payment method. You get a nice bonus in Avios. Since I always collect Avios while paying, I couldn’t imagine using any other payment method. It’s like getting double the benefits,” Nousiainen smiles.
Nousiainen uses Avios earned from payments to buy travel extras, travel class upgrades and occasionally award flights.
He has used Avios for travel class upgrades even on short-haul flights in Europe.
“I’ve sometimes rewarded myself after a tough work trip by flying in Business Class. It’s a little touch of everyday luxury.”
Nousiainen travels both for work and leisure. He has already booked a trip to New York for spring to see a musical with his goddog’s family. The trip is so special to them that they’ve decided to fly in Business Class.
In winter, his favourite destination is the easily accessible Canary Islands, but he still has travel dreams to fulfil.
“One day, it would be wonderful to travel to New Zealand.”
Everyday purchases and secure online shopping
Mari Marjakuusi leads a hectic life, balancing her work as a management consultant and family life with two small children.
“Our life revolves around family, work and hobbies,” Marjakuusi describes, smiling over a cup of coffee.
Her family has decided to make all their purchases with the Finnair Visa credit card. They use the card not only for travel but also for restaurants, cafés and hobby fees.
“We have decided to use the Finnair Visa credit card because it’s a safe way to shop online, and you can collect Avios from purchases.”
Marjakuusi has used her current Finnair Visa credit card for a couple of years and is a Finnair Plus Silver member.
“As a Finnair Plus member, it makes sense to use the card, since the Avios accumulated in daily life can be used for travel.”
She uses Avios for things like award flights, movie tickets and travel class upgrades.
Marjakuusi also mainly uses the card’s contactless payment feature on her phone, though she keeps the physical card with her just in case.
Having lived abroad for work, Marjakuusi is an avid traveller.
“I travel several times a year, including two to five trips abroad. As a family, we usually travel domestically a couple of times a year as well.”
Discovering new cultures and places and meeting new people fascinates Marjakuusi about travel. Her favourite European destinations are Barcelona and Copenhagen, which she visited recently.
“The trip to Copenhagen was special because we met the ’sister’ of my American host family after many years. I booked the flights for the trip entirely with Avios.”
On longer flights, Marjakuusi has purchased Premium Economy tickets for extra comfort, also using Avios.
“In the United States, our favourite places are Chicago and Florida, because some close friends and relatives live there.”
Read more and apply for a Finnair Visa credit card
In all cases, granting credit requires an approved credit decision. Finnair Visa credit cards are issued by Aktia Bank Plc.