Newsletter

A Summer of Discovery with Exclusive Erste Private Banking Privileges

Summer is the perfect time to explore new places, relax, and enjoy the experiences you deserve. Whether you’re heading for sunshine by the sea, peaceful mountain escapes, or cultural treasures in Europe’s great cities, Erste Private Banking travel benefits are here to make every journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

Complimentary Airport Lounges – A Comfortable Start to Every Trip

With Erste Private Banking, you have free access to selected airport lounges that let you relax before takeoff in comfort and style.

• The Mastercard Lounge at Terminal 1, Václav Havel Airport Prague, is now open again after renovation! Enjoy an elegant space with premium service — the perfect beginning to your travels.
• The Erste Premier Lounge at Terminal 2 remains at your service — including access to a private security check, so you can skip the lines and avoid the stress. You can also identify yourself here using the QR code available in George.
• At Vienna International Airport, both the Vienna Lounge and Sky Lounge offer attentive service, a generous buffet, and a calm, elegant space to relax before your flight.

With the LoungeKey program, you as an Erste Private Banking client have complimentary access to selected airport lounges around the world.

If the lounge is at full capacity, you can use your LoungeKey free visits at selected airport restaurants. A discount of €23 / CZK 550 per person will be deducted from your bill, and one LoungeKey visit will be used. When paying, simply inform the staff and pay with our Visa Infinite card. A list of participating restaurants can be found on the LoungeKey website.

Detailed information on lounge access can be found here.

Convenient Airport Parking

Enjoy 12% off AeroParking at Prague Airport — secure, covered parking for a smooth and stress-free start to your journey.

We apologize for the inaccuracy in communication - auto insurance is not part of your benefits offer. Thank you for your understanding.

Enjoy the summer to the fullest – with travel benefits designed around you.

Paying Abroad Made Easy

When travelling internationally, your best option is to use your payment card. In most European countries, card payments are widely accepted — so you may not even need to carry cash.

Avoid Unfavourable Exchange Rates

Open a foreign currency account free of charge. With the multi-currency feature enabled, you can pay directly in the local currency without worrying about conversions. Simply contact your private banker to activate it.

When paying by card or withdrawing cash abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency — this helps you avoid poor exchange rates. The easiest solution is to disable Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) for each card directly in George.

How to do it:

• Tap on the Cards tab
• Select Features
• Find Currency Conversion (DCC) and set it to Disabled

Use a Virtual Card – Secure and Always with You

With a virtual payment card, there’s no risk of loss or misuse. Simply add it to your mobile wallet (e.g. Google Pay, Apple Pay, Garmin Pay) on your smartphone or smartwatch.

Key advantages:

• No PIN required when paying
• Easy setup directly in the George app
• Can be deactivated anytime

Check Your Daily Limits for Payments and Withdrawals

Why it matters:

Adjust your daily card limits to match your actual needs. Lower limits can help protect you if your card is lost or stolen.

Be mindful of your connection:

Always be cautious when logging in to online banking. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks whenever possible.

Don't Pay Unnecessary ATM Withdrawal Fees

Even if you have free ATM withdrawals in the Czech Republic and abroad, the ATM operator abroad may still charge a fee. When withdrawing cash, the ATM will notify you of any such fee. This fee is charged directly by the ATM operator and cannot be avoided. The only solution is to avoid withdrawing from ATMs that charge a fee.

Beware of fraud and misuse

Booked accommodation with payment upon arrival, but someone claiming to be from the hotel suddenly asks you to pay in advance? Before making any payment, double-check the reservation details and always verify who you’re actually speaking to.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify Communication: Always confirm who you're communicating with. For example, call the hotel back directly to confirm your reservation is valid.
• Account Security: Never share your login credentials or passwords. Be cautious when entering your card details.
• Service Terms: Make sure you understand the terms of the services you're using. If something seems suspicious, don’t send any money and verify everything thoroughly.

If someone claiming to be a hotel representative contacts you and tries to change your reservation terms, double-check the conditions and verify who you're really speaking with before making any payments.