Singapore, 6 March 2025 – The Travel Alliance, comprising Singtel, AIS, Globe, HKT, Optus, Taiwan Mobile and Telkomsel, today announced the addition of KDDI Corp., a leading telecommunications provider in Japan - further strengthening the world’s first cross-border telco rewards programme. This expansion of benefits supports both the Alliance and KDDI’s customers. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025.

Launched in 2024, the Travel Alliance is designed to provide telco customers with unprecedented access to a wide range of lifestyle and travel rewards such as earning and redeeming points for everyday purchases and exclusive deals on dining and merchandise when they travel to the markets where the operators are based.

Ms Anna Yip, Chief Executive Officer, International Digital Services, Singtel, said, “The inclusion of KDDI to the Travel Alliance represents a major milestone in our journey to delivering a seamless, rewards experience for our customers across the region. The Alliance already enables almost 300 million customers to enjoy a slew of incentives on transport, dining, merchandise, and lifestyle services. As the Alliance continues to grow, we can empower more travellers with our exclusive benefits across a wider range of markets.”

Mr Toshiro Akiyama, Representative of Global Consumer Business Sector, KDDI, said, “Through the signing of the MoU, we are honoured to participate in the world's first innovative cross-border rewards program. The number of travellers from these seven countries where participating MNOs operate, has been increasing year by year, reaching approximately 13 million in 2024. Through this alliance, we strive to provide a wide range of services, not just limited to telecommunications, to these 13 million travellers. Furthermore, by offering exclusive rewards to our customers at their travel destinations, we aim to enhance their travel experience, making it more special and fulfilling.”

This cross-border rewards programme, which includes a comprehensive suite of benefits, provides value, beyond connectivity. Through strategic partnerships with well-known brands like Grab and Trip.com, the programme ensures that there is something for every customer—whether they are looking for travel benefits, entertainment, shopping, or dining rewards.

Travel Alliance is the latest addition to Singtel’s suite of offerings for travellers which also includes Singtel’s signature roaming brand, ReadyRoam, that brings unrivalled connectivity to travellers overseas – be it to single or multiple destinations. For more information, visit Singtel Rewards.

About KDDI

KDDI is a telecommunication service provider in Japan, offering multitude of services to individual customers through its “au”, “UQ mobile” and “povo” brands, and to corporate customers through its “KDDI BUSINESS” brand.

In May 2022, KDDI had stated “KDDI VISION 2030: The creation of a society in which anyone can make their dreams a reality, by enhancing the power to connect”. Under this vision, KDDI is promoting its business strategy in the Mid-Term Management Strategy (FY2022–FY2025), defined as the “Satellite Growth Strategy”. With a focus on 5G communications, data-driven practices, and generative AI, KDDI will accelerate business growth by providing value-added services in the growth areas of DX, finance, energy, and life transformation (LX) which encompass five areas of future growth (Mobility, Sports/Entertainment, Web3/Metaverse, Healthcare, and Space).

Placing "sustainability management" at the core, KDDI will aim to achieve the sustainable growth of society and the enhancement of corporate value together with our partners, by harnessing the “Satellite Growth Strategy” and strengthening the management base.

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