Free entries, cashback and offers for young people: Swiss banks offer these goodies to their customers

Many offer free entry or discounts for various leisure activities with their banking packages. At Basler Kantonalbank, customers are given a certain number of entertainment vouchers depending on their banking package: for example, credit for the Basel Zoo or for the Pick-e-Bike bicycle rental service. Customers with the Comfort banking package receive a family card with 150 free offers.

Other cantonal banks such as Zurich and Glarner Kantonalbank also offer numerous discounts to their customers. “Cantonal banks want to underline their connection to the region with their offers,” says Beyeler. For example, ZKB customers pay 20 percent less for a visit to Casinotheater Winterthur. GLKB offers a 15 percent discount on admission to Alpamare in Pfäffikon SZ.

In addition to the museum pass, customers of Raiffeisen’s Member Plus program also receive numerous discounts, such as priority tickets for shows and events or a 40 percent discount on daily ski passes.

Other banks attract their customers with collection campaigns, such as UBS, called Key Club. Customers can collect points and exchange them for coupons. You earn 2 points for every 1000 francs you spend with a credit card and 4 points with a gold card. 1 point corresponds to 1 franc.

Other banks such as Raiffeisen, Bank Cler and various cantonal banks offer the Suprize programme. For every franc you spend on a credit card, you earn a Surprise point that can be converted into rewards and vouchers.

Postfinance has another good thing to offer: cashback. If you pay by credit card you will get your money back. Classic credit card brings 0.3 percent of sales, and Gold credit card brings 0.5 percent. Refund amounts are transferred to the special account in June and December.

Banks hope more people will pay by credit card. “Banks make more money when their customers pay with credit cards rather than debit cards,” Beyeler explains.

Neobank Yuh has an offer for crypto fans. Shares of the Swissqoin cryptocurrency can be used for payments and business transactions with Debit Mastercard.

If you prefer something sustainable, the Neon Green offering might be for you. Neon plants five trees per customer every month, plus an additional tree for every 100 franc card sales.

16 cantonal banks offer their young customers a card called Stucard. This means that in addition to shopping, there are also discounts on food such as McDonald’s or nightlife.

There are also offers from individual banks: For example, Thurgauer Kantonalbank customers can go to various cinemas for free on Wednesdays. St. Wales Kantonalbank, like ZKB, offers free printing services for theses. In addition, ZKB customers will be able to use public transportation free of charge throughout the ZVV region on Fridays and Saturdays starting from 19.00.

But you shouldn’t let the advantages influence you too much when choosing a bank: “Basically, everyone has to decide for themselves what the best offer is for their own needs,” says Beyeler. Costs should not be ignored.