In partnership with Visa and Bank One, Starbucks, the American coffee bar chain, is launching Duetto, which can be used as a Visa credit card and a reloadable Starbucks charge Card.

The Starbucks Card was launched in November 2001 and more than 11 million cards are now in use. It can be reloaded on the company's Internet site and in all the Starbucks coffee bars which accept it. Duetto integrates a loyalty programme: "Duetto Dollars" which allows cardholders to get back one per cent of the amount of card purchases and qualify for additional rewards and benefits.

In 2002, almost seven percent of items purchased at Starbucks were paid for with the Starbucks Card and, according to the company, 10,000 customers have pre-registered for the Duetto Card.