UAE, May 31st, 2025: Things will drastically change on the 1st of June, 2025, for UAE travellers accessing airport lounges worldwide via their Mastercard and Visa credit cards. The changes have been instituted to provide seamless access to cardholders, confirm cardholder eligibility, and implement digital verification and minimum spending requirements. The system changes will limit the free visits and changes in the method of entry, frustrating the frequent flyers who don’t know how to deal with the updated rules.
Explanation of the Changes
Previously, cardholders were only required to show their physical Mastercard or Visa to the participating lounge for entry. From June 1st, 2025, this would no longer be the case. Both Mastercard and Visa now require users to register on specific apps, and access will be subject to new spending thresholds and annual visit limits based on card tier. This move is designed to enhance security and ensure that only eligible cardholders enjoy these premium travel benefits.
Visa & Mastercard’s latest rules & limits
- Mandatory App Registration
- Mastercard users must register on the Mastercard Travel Pass app.
- Visa users must register on the Visa Airport Companion app; physical cards will no longer be accepted for lounge entry.
- Annual Visit Limits
- Mastercard:
- Platinum: 4 visits per year
- World: 8 visits per year
- World Elite: 14 visits per year
- Visa:
- Platinum: Up to 6 visits per year
- Signature: Up to 10 visits per year
- Infinite: Unlimited visits per year
- Mastercard:
- Spending Requirements
- Mastercard: Must make at least one international transaction of USD 1 or more within the three months before each lounge visit.
- Visa: Must meet specific spending thresholds within 35 days before each visit (amounts vary by card and issuer).
- Transition Period
- For 2025, the annual visit cap will be counted from May 1 to December 31, not the full calendar year.
- Guest Policy and Charges
- For Mastercard, bringing additional guests above your allowance will incur a charge (e.g., $32 per extra guest).
Note: Specific spending amounts and visit limits may differ by region and card issuer.
What UAE Travellers Should Do Next
- Get the Right App: Install the Mastercard Travel Pass app (for Mastercard holders) or Visa Airport Companion app (for Visa holders) on your phone from your app store.
- Register Your Card: Complete the registration process within the appropriate app to unlock your digital lounge membership.
- Track Your Spending: Ensure you meet the required spending thresholds before planning lounge visits.
- Keep Track of Your Visit Limits: You must be aware of your maximum annual visits to protect yourself from any unexpected charges or declines to entry.
- Think Ahead: If you travel frequently, schedule your lounge visits and spending to get the most benefit out of the new rules.
What UAE Travellers Should Remember?
Such changes need to be put in place to avoid the abuse of the free lounge entry and to ensure that those services are offered to genuine cardholders. With the changes, lounge access will be fair and safe for the UAE travellers. By registering on the right app and fulfilling the spending requirements, UAE travellers are assured of continued access to airport lounges while on travel. UAE travellers should ring a big bell for themselves on 1st June, 2025, and henceforth begin their preparations.
In short, the UAE travellers should now ensure registration on specific apps, keep a record of their spending activities, and input the number of lounge visits into their apps. If followed, they guarantee UAE travellers an enjoyable and relaxing experience at the airport.
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