InterContinental Hotels Group and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Credit Card Center have announced plans to launch the Priority Club Rewards co-branded Visa credit card to consumers in China.

This deal brings together the Priority Club Rewards program, one of the first and largest reward scheme in the hotel industry, and the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank credit card, created in partnership with Citibank.

"We are pleased to continue IHG's history of innovation in China, which began 23 years ago with the opening of Holiday Inn as one of the first international hotel brands in China," said Patrick Imbardelli, chief executive, IHG Asia Pacific.

The card's unique benefits are characteristic of the Priority Club Rewards program's focus on providing the most flexibility and the best value proposition to its members. The Classic and Gold Priority Club Rewards Visa cards reward members will earn points on everyday spending as well as double points on all spending in IHG hotels worldwide and bonus points upon activation. Members can redeem Priority Club points not only for free stays in any of IHG's 66 hotels in China and more than 3,700 hotels worldwide, but also for airline rewards, store vouchers, Crowne Plaza Golf Rewards, and a variety of spa services throughout Asia-Pacific.

With over 33 million members globally, which includes over 600,000 members in mainland China, Priority Club Rewards, IHG's guest loyalty program, is one of the largest and fastest-growing program in the industry. In China, its expansion has been fast-paced with a monthly average growth of 15,000 members. Hotel brands participating in Priority Club Rewards include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank is a Shanghai-based national commercial bank with 366 branch offices around China. It was the first domestic bank to launch a dual currency credit card in conjunction with a foreign bank through its partnership with Citibank.