Latest news with #Blacklane
Zawya
a day ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Blacklane accelerates growth in Dubai
Dubai, UAE: Ultra-luxury iconic car marque Rolls-Royce is now available as a new Platinum Class option from the global chauffeur service Blacklane. Initially in Dubai, the introduction of Rolls-Royce models to Blacklane is part of ongoing investment and expansion across the Middle East for the fast-growth business. The development follows the addition of Business Class - Blacklane's entry level vehicle option - in Dubai as operations in the UAE continue to expand. A fleet of all-electric Mercedes Benz EQEs were added to the Blacklane platform in March this year, boosting the already popular First Class service established in the city since 2023. Further recent growth in the GCC has included the roll-out of Lucid advanced electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia and new operations opening in Kuwait. Dr Jens Wohltorf, co-founder and CEO, Blacklane explains: '2025 has been a year of milestones for Blacklane in the GCC and we are hitting new achievements in luxury mobility month after month. Dubai is a city of opportunity and a fitting home for the first ever Rolls-Royce cars on our platform. Our investment is raising demand and excitement for first-class chauffeur services across the Middle East. I'm excited to plan the ambitious next phase of how our new Platinum Class comes to life around the world very soon.' Bringing an unrivaled level of luxury and exclusivity to Blacklane's Dubai presence, the Ghost Series II Rolls-Royce vehicles are complemented by new professional chauffeurs who have been onboarded by Blacklane for their track record with highly prestigious cars. The new Platinum Class chauffeurs have completed bespoke training at the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy in Dubai to bring the highest standards of service to guests. The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II cars boast the signature Blacklane two-tone black and white exterior and are now available for both pre-booked journeys, including airport transfers, and immediate hailing from select locations in Dubai. About Blacklane: Blacklane is the global chauffeur service delivering premium, sustainable and reliable transportation in over 50 countries. With services ranging from airport transfers and city-to-city rides to on-demand and hourly bookings, Blacklane ensures a seamless travel experience for business and leisure guests alike. Headquartered in Berlin, the fast-growing scale-up employs 400+ people worldwide and partners with thousands of chauffeurs to deliver first-class service. As a leader in sustainable mobility, Blacklane drives innovation in electrification, training and technology, trusted by top luxury travel brands and discerning clients across six continents.
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Blacklane elevates Dubai service with Rolls-Royce Platinum Class
Image: Supplied Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, has introduced This marks the first time Rolls-Royce vehicles have been added to the company's platform, signalling an acceleration of Blacklane's investment and expansion across the Middle East. The launch of Platinum Class follows other recent strategic growth initiatives in the region. Blacklane added Mercedes Benz EQEs in March Earlier this year in March, Blacklane added a fleet of all-electric Mercedes Benz EQEs to its platform in Dubai, enhancing its First Class service, which has been established in the city since 2023. Further expansion in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) includes the rollout of Lucid advanced electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia and the commencement of new operations in Kuwait. Dr Jens Wohltorf, co-founder and CEO of Blacklane, stated, '2025 has been a year of milestones for Blacklane in the GCC and we are hitting new achievements in luxury mobility month after month. Dubai is a city of opportunity and a fitting home for the first ever Rolls-Royce cars on our platform.' He added that the investment is 'raising demand and excitement for first-class chauffeur services across the Middle East.' The new Platinum Class features Ghost Series II Rolls-Royce vehicles, distinguished by Blacklane's signature two-tone black and white exterior. These cars are complemented by a new team of professional chauffeurs, onboarded by Blacklane for their experience with prestigious cars and further trained at the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy in Dubai. The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II cars are now available for pre-booked journeys, including airport transfers, and for immediate hailing from select locations in Dubai. Read:
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Citi Launches the Citi Strata Elite Credit Card
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Citi announced the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card—a new premium credit card offering 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on the Citi Travel ® platform; 6x points on Air Travel booked on Citi Travel; 6x points at Restaurants, every Friday & Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET; and more travel, dining and entertainment benefits. Plus, with the Citi Strata Elite Card, cardmembers can unlock nearly $1,500 in value each year—with valuable lifestyle benefits cardmembers will want to use and even more perks for those who fly with American Airlines. 'The new Citi Strata Elite Card is the smart choice for savvy premium cardmembers who want to earn high rewards on travel and dining while still earning generously on every dollar spent,' said Pam Habner, Head of U.S. Branded Cards & Lending at Citi. 'You shouldn't need a math degree and a spreadsheet to track your credit card benefits! We have curated flexible lifestyle benefits that we know our customers will want to use—because we asked them what they value. And, this is the only branded credit card that has American Airlines benefits built right into the card.' The Citi Strata Elite Card rewards cardmembers with ThankYou ® Points for the things they care about most, with the ability to earn: 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 6x points on Air Travel booked on 6x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET and 3x points any other time. 1.5x points on All Other Purchases. With Citi Strata Elite, cardmembers can feel confident knowing they've chosen the card that can maximize their rewards earn. Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will also enjoy access to the following premium benefits and protections: Valuable Lifestyle Benefits Cardmembers Will Want to Use Citi research i found 75% of premium cardmembers indicate that customization—like opting for perks—is a very or extremely important part of the equation. Citi Strata Elite offers: Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel. Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit ℠: Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to two of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy ®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation. Up to $200 Annual Blacklane Credit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $200 in statement credits when booking with Blacklane, a global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December. Up to $120 Global Entry ® or TSA PreCheck ® Application Fee Credit: Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®. Even More Perks for Those Who Fly with American Airlines In addition to being a Splurge Credit option, American Airlines has partnered with Citi to offer additional benefits: Four American Airlines Admirals Club ® Citi Strata Elite Passes (Worth Over $300 Annually): Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club ® Citi Strata Elite℠ Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club ® lounges worldwide. Points Transfer: Ability to transfer Citi ThankYou ® Points into American Airlines AAdvantage ® miles, which can be used on flights and more to create a personalized travel experience. 'American is deepening its partnership with Citi to deliver even more benefits that combine the best of American and Citi's rewards offerings,' said Scott Long, American Airlines Senior Vice President of AAdvantage. 'We're always looking for innovative ways to enhance our products and reward our customers for their loyalty. The new Citi Strata Elite Card provides Citi cardmembers an exciting opportunity to experience some of the fantastic benefits the AAdvantage program offers.' Additional Premium Perks for Savvy Consumers Complimentary Priority Pass Select ™ membership (Worth $469 Annually): Complimentary access for primary cardmembers and authorized users, and up to two guests to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide (not all lounges admit guests). Access to The Reserve by Citi Travel: A collection of 4.5-5 star participating hotels on the Citi Travel platform offering on-property benefits including daily complimentary breakfast for two, free wi-fi, a $100 experience credit (varies by property) and early check-in, late check-out, and room upgrades (subject to availability). No foreign transaction fees ii: No foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally. Access to Citi Entertainment ®: Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year's most anticipated concerts, sporting events, arts and dining experiences. Access to The Mastercard Collection benefits: Citi Strata Elite is the first World Legend credit card issued featuring Mastercard's new premium tier benefits, offering priority reservations at thousands of the most sought-after restaurants abroad; ticketing access across music, theater, and sporting events globally; and more. 'We're thrilled to introduce World Legend with Citi, a payment experience to meet people's growing expectations of a payments card,' said John Levitsky, U.S. co-president at Mastercard. 'Our new World Legend card tier will help deepen cardmember loyalty by offering elevated benefits, experiences and exclusive Priceless access in categories that people love—dining, entertainment, and travel.' Protections for Peace of Mind Additionally, Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will receive travel and shopping protections including trip delay protection, enhanced trip cancellation and trip interruption protection, lost or damaged luggage protection, MasterRental coverage, extended warranty and purchase assurance plus. With access to nearly $1,500 in value and a suite of new benefits, the new Citi Strata Elite comes with a $595 annual fee and $75 annual fee for each authorized user ii. Rewards for Citi Wealth Clients Citigold ® Private Client Relationship Tier credit: Qualifying Citigold Private Clients receive a $595 first year banking relationship credit and $145 Annual Credit each year thereafter if the primary cardmember has an open and current Citi Strata Elite Card account. Citigold ® Relationship Tier credit: Qualifying Citigold clients receive $145 Banking Relationship Annual Credit if the primary cardmember has an open and current Citi Strata Elite Card. Rounding out the Citi Strata Family of Rewards Credit Cards The Citi Strata Elite Card and new Citi Strata℠ Card join the Citi Strata credit card portfolio, a range of products uniquely tailored to what cardmembers value most. Each of the cards—Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier ®, and Citi Strata—is designed to give cardmembers the flexibility to curate the life they envision for themselves. Today, the Citi Strata Card—a rich enhancement of the former Citi Rewards+ ® Card—offers cardmembers increased opportunities to earn more points on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on Citi Travel, and at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and on select transit purchases. Additionally, the new Self-Select category offers 3x points on an eligible category like fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, among others that speak to their personal desires, all at no annual fee iii. The Citi Strata Card offers benefits that cater to cardmembers' everyday routines and passions while helping them enjoy experiences now and in the future. With the Citi Strata Card, cardmembers can earn: 5x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 3x points at Supermarkets. 3x points on Select Transit and at Gas & EV Charging Stations. 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of their choice. (Eligible categories include Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores.) 2x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services. 1x points on All Other Purchases. For more information on the Citi Strata credit card portfolio, visit About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: | YouTube: | Facebook: i Citi partnered with Material in June-July 2025 to conduct a poll of 1,000 adults ages 18+ who own at least one premium credit card (annual fee of $395 or more) and contribute to financial decision-making for their household. In addition, this survey included another 854 adults age 18+ who own at least one credit card, that is not a premium credit card and contribute to financial decision-making for their household. ii Pricing for Citi Strata Elite Card: The variable APR for purchases and balance transfers is 21.24%-29.24% based on your creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 21.24%-29.24%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.49%. The variable penalty APR is up to 29.99% and may be applied if you make a late payment or make a payment that is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Annual fee - $595. Annual fee for Authorized Users - $75. Fee for foreign purchases - None. Cash advance fee - 5% of each cash advance (min. $10). Balance transfer fee - 5% of each transfer (min. $5). Rates as of 07/27/2025. iii Pricing for the Citi Strata Card: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening; after that, the variable APR for unpaid promotional balances, new purchases, and new balance transfers is 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 19.24% - 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.49%. The variable penalty APR is up to 29.99%. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Annual fee - $0. Fee for foreign purchases - 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase. Cash advance fee - 5% of each cash advance (min. $10). Balance transfer fee - intro fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum). Rates as of 07/27/2025.
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Fancy a luxury desert staycation and a Rolls-Royce ride? Blacklane's giveaway has both
In a city where brunches start with caviar and coffee comes with gold flakes, showing up in a Rolls-Royce is perfectly on-brand. Blacklane, the global chauffeur service known for its ultra-slick rides, has just launched its Platinum Class fleet, complete with the arrival of its first-ever Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, tapping straight into that spirit, offering a ride that turns heads without saying a word. To celebrate, Blacklane is giving two lucky people the chance to experience the new service in serious style. Winners will be chauffeured in the custom Ghost to the iconic Bab Al Shams Resort for a luxury desert staycation, where they can enjoy views of endless desert dunes, five-star calm and a ridiculously smooth ride all included. Think of it as a double upgrade – a luxury escape wrapped in the kind of service where every everything is taken care of for you. From the moment your Blacklane chauffeur greets you to the second you arrive at Bab Al Shams, it's not just a ride – it's whole an experience. Expect professional, impeccably trained drivers, smooth-as-silk service, and an atmosphere so calm you'll forget you're even on the road. To enter, head to Time Out Dubai's Instagram, follow @timeoutdubai and @blacklaneme, share the giveaway post, and tag both accounts. Winners will be contacted on July 30 – don't sleep on it. This isn't just about one fancy car. The Platinum Class launch marks a new level of luxury for Blacklane in the UAE, joining the app's First and Business Class rides already rolling around town. And yes – you can now book the Rolls-Royce Ghost for airport transfers, big nights out, or just because you feel like it. Simply fire up the Blacklane app or head to the website and select 'Platinum Class.' Each car comes dressed in Blacklane's sleek two-tone black and white finish, and the chauffeurs behind the wheel are handpicked professionals with experience in top-tier motors. They've also undergone specialist training at the brand's Dubai Chauffeur Academy – so the service definitely matches the car. With this move, Blacklane isn't just stepping up – it's cruising into a whole new gear. The Platinum Class is now live in Dubai. Book your ride today:
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Blacklane and EVIQ partner to expand EV charging network in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is set to expand across Saudi Arabia following a strategic partnership between Blacklane and EVIQ, accelerating the Kingdom's shift toward clean and sustainable mobility. Under the agreement, EVIQ — a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Saudi Electricity Co. — will collaborate with the international chauffeur-driven transport firm to support the expansion of the Kingdom's EV charging network across key cities and mobility hubs, according to a press release. The initiative aims to support the development of sustainable infrastructure in line with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on clean technologies and environmental responsibility. It also supports the Kingdom's goal to transition 30 percent of vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 — a target it aims to reach ahead of schedule. Mohammed Bakr Gazzaz, CEO of EVIQ, said: 'By integrating national charging infrastructure with premium fleet operations, we aim to reinforce the foundation for a scalable, future-ready transport ecosystem aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.' The deal includes the development of dedicated charging stations for vehicle fleets, most notably an integrated charging center at Blacklane's new regional headquarters for the Gulf region in Riyadh. 'As we rapidly scale operations across the nation, we're thrilled to have EVIQ on-board to actively support our expanding electric fleet. Together we are setting new benchmarks for sustainable innovation and success,' said Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane. Blacklane will incorporate EVIQ's public charging network into its operations in Saudi Arabia to support its growing electric vehicle fleet. Both companies also plan to explore opportunities for system integration aimed at improving network functionality and user accessibility. The partnership follows Blacklane's recent introduction of Lucid electric vehicles into its Saudi fleet, as part of efforts to expand its EV offerings. EVIQ's fast-charging network supports the company's goal of enhancing its electric mobility services in the Kingdom, the release added. As part of the partnership, the companies will co-develop training programs under Blacklane's Chauffeur Training Academy, focusing on EV charging best practices to support service quality, safety, and sustainability. Blacklane's expansion in Saudi Arabia is backed by TASARU Mobility Investments, a wholly owned investment arm of PIF.
