Thai Airways teams up with start-up utu for shopping tax refunds

Users of utu’s tax-free card being offers a 25% uplift in miles for their refunds

Thai Airways has announced a partnership with technology start-up utu to ensure members of its loyalty scheme receive their tax refunds when shopping.

The carrier estimates that travellers are losing as much as half of the value of their VAT and GST refunds.

From this month passengers in the Royal Orchid Plus loyalty scheme will receive a 25% uplift in miles for their tax refunds even when travelling with another carrier.

Travellers need to pay as usual for purchases with cash or a payment card, but choose to receive their VAT or GST refund on the new utu Tax Free Card.

Thai is the latest major carrier to join utu’s new service, which aims to revolutionize tax-free shopping.

Kittipong Sansomboon, director of customer and marketing department, said: “Thai remains committed to providing a wide range of benefits to its customers, especially for members of Royal Orchid Plus, THAI’s frequent flyer program.

“We have been cooperating with our business partners to provide an innovative array of valuable choices to Royal Orchid Plus members.

“We are delighted to join with utu to create rewards for our frequent flyers through the utu application. We are convinced this impressive tax refund technology will enhance experiences for all our members who love traveling and tax-free shopping as well.”

Asad Jumabhoy, co-founder and chief executive of utu, added: “Thai Airways is one of the best loved carriers in the world and we are proud to welcome it on our journey to shake up the world of tax-free shopping.

“We are thrilled to enable Royal Orchid Plus members to make the most of their trips so they can take advantage of the utu app for a better deal on tax refunds by supersizing their loyalty rewards.”