The card, which will be on the MasterCard International loop, is targeted at the upwardly mobile with a gross annual income higher than Rs 1,20,000. Star TV, which is a subsidary of The News Corporation (Australia) is beamed across 53 countries and has 30 channels. In due couse the card will also be launched in other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The card will offer a balance-transfer facility at 1.99 per cent per month. Cardholders will receive a range of free rewards - free Satyam Internet connection for 70 hours and promotional air tickets from Quantas, invitations to exclusive movie screenings, concerts and opportunities to participate in Star TV Shows.

One of the unique features of the card is that applications will be accepted over the telephone through a single all-India number: potential customers anywhere in the country can phone up the number and apply for the card. According to a press release issued here on Friday, the card will have a rewards' programme with opportunities to earn reward points 10 to 15 times faster through a unique `Bonus Partner' scheme.

A teaser advertisenent of 30 seconds has already been started in Star TV. Tie-ups have already been made with Indian Airlines, ITC Welecom group and the Oberoi group of hotels for transfer of points to other airline and hotel loyalty programmes. Tie-ups with other companies like Wearhouse, Bennetton etc, are on the cards for a redemption programme in addition to Star channel logo-branded merchandise.

The card will be accepted at over 17 million MasterCard merchant locations worldwide including over 1,10,000 outlets in India/Nepal and at 4,80,000 ATM's all over the world. The cardholders will have access to 4,60,000 ATMs worldwide including 200 in India.