The REKA card in Switzerland is issued by Schweizerische Reisekasse (REKA) – a non-profit organization founded in 1939.
REKA specializes in social tourism, with the goal of providing families and individuals with more affordable access to holidays, leisure activities, and travel within Switzerland.
🏢 What is Schweizerische Reisekasse (REKA)?
Schweizerische Reisekasse is a Swiss foundation that:
– promotes affordable tourism
– supports families with low and middle incomes
– cooperates with employers and trade unions
– offers subsidized holiday payment solutions
REKA itself manages the card, top-ups, and the payment system.
💰 How Does the REKA Card Work?
The REKA card (today most commonly in digital form – REKA-Card) functions as a special payment method that can be used with partners throughout Switzerland.
✔ Employers often offer their employees the opportunity to purchase REKA credit at a discounted price (for example, 10–20% discount)
✔ The credit is loaded onto the REKA card
✔ The card is used as a payment method with participating partners
📍 Where Can It Be Used?
REKA funds can be used with more than 6,000 partners across Switzerland, including:
🚆 public transport (trains, trams, buses)
⛽ petrol stations
🏨 hotels and tourist accommodations
🏕 REKA holiday villages
🎿 ski resorts
🚠 cable cars
🎟 various tourism and leisure services
👨👩👧👦 Who Is Eligible for a REKA Card?
A REKA card can be obtained by:
– employees through their employer (if the company participates in the program)
– members of certain trade unions
– private individuals (without subsidy, at full price)
Subsidized models are most commonly available through companies and collective agreements.
🎯 Why Is REKA Important?
The REKA system:
– promotes domestic tourism
– helps families finance their holidays more easily
– strengthens the Swiss tourism economy
– fulfills both a social and economic function
For more than 80 years, REKA has been an important part of the Swiss model of social support in tourism.
📌 Conclusion
The REKA card is issued and managed by Schweizerische Reisekasse (REKA), a long-established Swiss non-profit organization.
The card provides more affordable travel and holiday opportunities and can be used with thousands of partners throughout the country.
