The partners will provide airport lounge access in the case of flight delays affecting Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club's customers.
Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry, is extending its partnership with Collinson, a global airport experiences programme, to provide premium airport lounge access to Mastercard Trust Club World Card and World Elite Card cardholders in the event of a delayed flight through Mastercard Flight Delay Pass.
Recent flight delay statistics show that almost one in five flights within Asia Pacific are delayed by at least 15 minutes, while 33 million travellers across the region are affected by flight delays of over an hour. With travel firmly back on the agenda, there is a need to help travellers allay their stress and anxiety should they encounter flight delays in their journey.
With Mastercard's Flight Delay Pass, Mastercard Trust Club World Card and World Elite Card cardholders can now instantly access Collinson's LoungeKey network of over 1,400 airport lounges globally – including complimentary food and beverages – in the event of a flight delay. Eligible cardholders will not need to complete a claim form; they will automatically be sent a notification of their flight delay and a digital lounge access voucher.
Insights from Collinson's Travel Sentiment Survey found that travellers regard lounge access as the number one most desirable travel benefit at the airport. For travellers in Japan, a past Collinson study revealed that airport lounges are also seen as key in curbing travel anxiety, with 32% of respondents in Japan agreeing that lounge access makes them feel safer when undertaking air travel.
“With our recent research revealing the importance that travellers in Japan place on airport lounge access, particularly during the event of a flight delay, we are confident that our joint solution with Mastercard – Mastercard Flight Delay Pass – will provide a seamless solution to alleviate travel stress and provide travellers a place to unwind and relax at the airport,” said Todd Handcock, global chief commercial officer and Asia Pacific president, Collinson.
In collaboration with Collinson, Mastercard Flight Delay Pass was first launched in 2018 in Asia Pacific and is made available to Mastercard Platinum, World and World Elite Cardholders. This privilege is exclusive to eligible Mastercard cardholders regardless of the airline they fly with, the ticket they hold or the affinity programme to which they belong.
Image: Collinson
