UAE travellers: Airport lounge access to change for Mastercard, Visa cardholders from June 1
New rules require app registrations, spending thresholds, and limit free lounge visits
Dubai: Starting June 1, 2025, significant changes are coming to airport lounge access for Mastercard and Visa cardholders. These updates will affect how UAE residents and travellers access lounges worldwide.
Here's a breakdown of what's changing and how to prepare:
Mastercard: New caps, spending Requirements
Mastercard is implementing the following changes:
Mandatory app registration: All cardholders must register on the Mastercard Travel Pass app to access lounges.
Visit limits: Annual lounge visits are now capped based on card tier:
Platinum: 4 visits
World: 8 visits
World Elite: 14 visits
Spending requirement: To unlock lounge access, cardholders must make an international transaction of at least USD 1 within the three months prior to the lounge visit.
Transition period: For 2025, the calendar year for lounge access caps will run from May 1 to December 31.
Visa: Digital membership, spending thresholds
Visa cardholders will experience the following updates:
Digital membership: Access to lounges will now require registration on the Visa Airport Companion app, replacing the previous method of showing the physical card.
Spending requirements: Cardholders must meet specific spending thresholds within 35 days prior to the lounge visit to qualify for access.
Visit limits: The number of complimentary lounge visits per year will depend on the card tier and spending:
Platinum: Up to 6 visits
Signature: Up to 10 visits
Infinite: Unlimited visits
Note: Specific spending amounts and visit limits may vary by region and card issuer.
Next steps for UAE Travellers
To ensure uninterrupted lounge access:
Download the newly required apps:
Mastercard users: Mastercard Travel Pass
Visa users: Visa Airport Companion
Register your card: Complete the registration process within the respective app.
Monitor your spending: Ensure you meet the necessary international spending requirements within the specified timeframes.
Check your visit limits: Be aware of your card's annual lounge visit cap and plan accordingly.
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