Oakwood Worldwide to Accept JCB Card at Global Chain of Serviced Apartments

Business Wire, July 16, 2002

Business Editors & Travel Writers

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Oakwood Worldwide has announced that all of its corporate housing and serviced apartment locations will now accept JCB, the fourth largest credit card in the world. JCB is the largest issuer of cards in Japan, and has over 40 million cardmembers worldwide.

Oakwood is the leading global provider of corporate housing and serviced apartments, with locations throughout the U.S., U.K., Japan, Korea, China, Thailand and the Philippines. The phrase "corporate housing" describes full-sized furnished apartments, a popular lodging option amongst extended stay business and leisure travelers. In many countries, the term "serviced apartments" is used to describe this segment of the lodging industry.

"Oakwood's serviced apartments provide a luxurious and cost-saving alternative to hotels," says Todd Larsen, Oakwood's vice president of interactive sales and development. "We are thrilled to now welcome the JCB card at every Oakwood location, and provide an additional payment option for our clients."

Globally, Oakwood offers exceptional lodging in some of JCB cardmembers' most popular travel destinations, including:

-- BANGKOK: Oakwood City Residence Bangkok is a resort property in Thailand ideal for business or leisure travel;

-- LONDON: The new boutique property St. John's House provides elegant living in The City;

-- LOS ANGELES: Oakwood Marina del Rey is located moments from Venice Beach;

-- MANILA: Oakwood Premier Ayala Center is a five-star property in the Makati business district;

-- NEW YORK: Oakwood offers several locations to select, from Lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side (30 day minimum stay);

-- SEATTLE: Oakwood Seattle is located close to Pike Place Market and Seattle Mariners' baseball at Safeco Field;

-- SEOUL: Oakwood Premier Coex Center is a luxury property in the Kangnam business district;

-- SILICON VALLEY: Oakwood Mountain View provides resort amenities in an ideal location for business;

-- and TOKYO: Oakwood Residence Akasaka is a perfect location in the financial district, near to Roppongi.

These locations are just a small sample of the thousands of available Oakwood locations.

Oakwood Worldwide reservations are available at www.oakwood.com, 1-800-888-0808 (U.S.) or 81-3-5786-7800 (Japan).

Oakwood reservations may also be booked by travel agents using the GDS systems (Chain Code: IP).

Information about Oakwood Worldwide properties will also soon be available at JCB Plaza customer service centers, with locations in 31 international capitals.

"We look forward to working with JCB to provide services that are 0f value to their cardmembers," says Larsen.

Oakwood Worldwide is a privately-held, Los Angeles based company.

JCB Cards are accepted at nearly 9 million merchants in 189 countries including nearly 900,000 in North and South America. JCB has a strong presence in Asia and is committed to building its position in the U.S.

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