Name: Vibhat Nair
Title: General manager, Chase Card Services
Company, city: Chase; Wilmington, Del.
Number of employees: Chase has more than 235,000 employees.
First job: Tutor for younger kids
Little-known fact about you: I am a hobby woodworker.

YOUR BUSINESS

What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next years?
The convergence of mobile and data will profoundly impact payments, travel and loyalty businesses over the next many years. We are fortunate to stand at the intersection of the three areas.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?
One I remember often is, “Build broad skills and experience, but also focus on what you are really good at.” Comparative advantage tends to be underestimated.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the field?
Be courageous. Be passionate. Challenge the status quo, starting with yourself. Learn and experience the “new” so you can find what you are passionate about.

VIBHAT NAIR AS A TRAVELER

Favorite travel memory or story: I was in Serengeti this summer with my family. My dad, in particular, had wanted to experience the migration across the Mara River for many years. It was special to see him witness something so breathtaking.

One travel tip you cannot live without: Vacuum travel bags = carry on.

Best advice for business travelers: Aisle to work, window to rest!

ABOUT CHASE CARD SERVICES

What benefits do cardholders receive from the Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase?
The card gives you access to free vacations and status at the world’s largest hotel company, with many diverse brands to choose from. And just this year we made several enhancements to this card — including adding accelerated earn on spend at Starwood Preferred Guest properties — as well as our business card. Now, a new benefit for business owners is an enhanced path to Gold Elite Status.

Tell our readers more about the benefits associated with The Ritz- Carlton Rewards Credit Card from JPMorgan.
If you are accustomed to the service standards at The Ritz-Carlton and the amenities of the Club Level at its properties, this is the card for you. The benefits are too many to count; the JP Morgan Premier Concierge and free upgrades to the Club Level are two to highlight. We also added some new benefits to the card this year, including airline ticket discounts, enhanced worldwide airport lounge access and Global Entry application fee reimbursement.

What changes, if any, can cardholders expect from the two cards in 2017?
We’re constantly looking for ways to make our products more rewarding for cardmembers. Stay tuned for what we have in store in 2017!