Visa launches a new benefit to Irish cardholders in partnership with DragonPass

Visa partners with DragonPass to offer the ‘Airport Companion’ programme to Irish cardholders, providing access to a range of exclusive privileges and discounts to enhance their travel experience worldwide

In 2016 over 2 billion people passed through Europe’s airports[1] with the global duty-free industry expected to grow to approximately US$67bn by 2020 from an estimated US$45.7bn in 2016^[2]

Dublin, Ireland – 18 January 2018 – Visa (NYSE:V) in partnership with DragonPass today launched the ‘Airport Companion’ programme to Visa cardholders in Europe, providing a one-stop shop of exclusive benefits to add some enjoyment back into their travel experience. The services will be offered to consumers through participating financial institutions who issue Visa accounts in Ireland.

Eligible cardholders will have access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, including lounges in Dublin, Cork and Belfast. Cardholders will also have exclusive airport restaurant discounts, and some also have the option to access other premium features such as transportation, spa, fast track and digital coupons for free meals or beverages. The Programme enables cardholders to manage their membership through a dedicated ‘Airport Companion’ app allowing them to make payments, receive smart recommendations and more.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to add value for Visa cardholders, whilst simultaneously supporting the commercial interests of our clients,” said Mike Lemberger, senior vice president, products and solutions, Visa in Europe. “Our new partnership with DragonPass is an excellent example of delivering a valued service globally to differentiate our offering and utilizing mutual assets in doing so. We know Visa cardholders regularly travel through airports and this new partnership will provide consumers in Europe with a one-stop shop of exclusive benefits to enhance their travel experience worldwide”.

The DragonPass offering is powered by the Visa Developer Platform https://developer.visa.com, using Visa APIs (Application Programming Interface) to enable seamless account verification and programme eligibility, making it easier for banks to integrate the service into their own apps and tailor services to their specific customer base and commercial interests. A simplified digital on-boarding process gives financial institutions the ability to deploy services quickly and effectively to suit their requirements. DragonPass also enables financial institutions to run bespoke segmented campaigns to optimise the service - driving acquisition, retention and increased customer value.

DragonPass’ global footprint is growing rapidly with more than 1,000 airport lounges and over 2,000 airport restaurant discounts available to users worldwide. The Programme offers discounts at a range of outlets from Caviar House in Malaga to Los Clos in Dubai, as well as access to lounges such as the Maple Leaf lounge in Frankfurt and the Plaza Premium Lounge in London’s Heathrow Airport.

“We are delighted to team up with Visa to provide an innovative set of travel solutions designed to give more value back to Visa customers through enriched Visa payment propositions,” said Andrew Harrison Chinn, global managing director for DragonPass. “Our approach and services are always designed at simplistically linking an often complex and multifaceted airport ecosystem to provide the customer with a more enjoyable travel experience.”

[1]https://www.aci-europe.org/press-releases.html

^[2] https://www.ft.com/content/5628f254-778e-11e7-90c0-90a9d1bc9691