Julie Kyse of British Airways marketing jokes with businessmen Gordon Tewani (centre) and Lascelles Chin at the launch.

So what happens when one of the Caribbean's leading banks and one of the world's leading airlines put out a product? Chi-ching!

FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB) and British Airways (BA) launched the Visa Platinum and Business credit cards on Tuesday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. FCIB's managing director of corporate investment banking, Milton Brady, promised the cards would offer great rewards programmes and would meet the high expectations of the customers.

BA's Diane Corrie said it was fitting the launch should take place in Jamaica, the first Caribbean island that BA flew to more than 60 years ago. A select group of individuals had already been approved for their cards and simply had to pick them up. Others who had not yet signed up were encouraged to do so, and promptly did, hoping to snag the gate prize of 50,000 free BA miles.

The benefits (other than flights and upgrades) include receiving two BA miles for every United States dollar spent on the ticket; a sign-up bonus of 5,000 BA miles, baggage-loss insurance, miles redemption on any partner airline within the one-world alliance of carriers and personal concierge service. Add to that having access to 700 destinations in nearly 150 countries, and some might already be packing their bags.

FirstCaribbean trio (from left), Latoya Haylette, Lloy Richardson and Dwight Robinson have much to smile about, what with the launch of the platinum card. Are they planning their next trip?

Stacy Adams, marketing manager at FirstCaribbean, has a sit-down with British Airways duo, William Knight (left) and Woodrow Patterson.

Director of wealth management at FirstCaribbean, Debra Lopez, catches up with Chris Dehring (who seems to be hearing some serious news judging by his facial expression).

FirstCaribbean's managing director of corporate investment banking, Milton Brady, cracks a good one for Lorna Atiles, senior business leader for the Caribbean at Visa Inc, at the launch of FirstCaribbean's and British Airways' Visa Platinum credit card at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on November 18.

British Airways commercial manager, Diane Corrie (right), has all eyes on her at the launch. Taking in every word are (from left) Gill Fairley of BA's marketing team, Courtney Walsh and FirstCaribbean's Donna Walters. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer