Mastercard and Collinson extend partnership in Japan to provide airport lounge access in the case of flight delays to Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club's Customers

• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club is the first company in Japan to adopt the Mastercard Flight Delay Pass programme.
• The partnership with Collinson provides Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club issued Mastercard Trust Club World Card and World Elite Card cardholders with instant access to a network of over 1,400 premium airport lounges globally, in the event of flight delays. 

TOKYO, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry, extends its partnership with Collinson, a leading 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^[1] show that almost 1 in 5 flights within Asia Pacific are delayed by at least 15 minutes; while 33 million travellers across the region are impacted 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 an 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, through which they can easily redeem their real-time travel benefit.

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. "We are pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with Mastercard, and we look forward to welcoming eligible Mastercard cardholders of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club to our vast network of airport lounges and broader travel experiences."

Ken Uchiyama, Japan Country Manager, Mastercard said, "With the strong recovery in travel demand, Mastercard is excited to extend its partnership with Collinson to offer Mastercard Flight Delay Pass for its issuers in Japan and to begin the programme with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club issued Mastercard World Card and World Elite Card cardholders in Japan. Through Mastercard Flight Delay Pass, Mastercard is pleased to support Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club to address the needs of their travelling customers and further strengthen their engagement with their cardholders."  

Kouji Igarashi, Representative Director, President, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club said, "With domestic and international travel picking up pace in Japan, we are delighted to partner with Mastercard and Collinson to provide a seamless and pleasurable travel experience to our customers. Our customers can now enjoy their upcoming travel with peace of mind."

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 they are members of.

About Collinson
Collinson is the global, privately-owned company dedicated to helping the world to travel with ease and confidence.  We work with the world's leading payment networks, over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines and 20 hotel groups worldwide. We deliver market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million end consumers. 

Collinson is the operator of Priority Pass, the world's original and leading airport experiences programme. Travellers can access a network of over 1,400 lounges and travel experiences, including dining, retail, sleep and spa, in over 650 airports in 148 countries, helping to elevate the journey into something special.    

About Mastercard (NYSE:MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

About Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club Co Ltd
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club Co., Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Japan's first trust bank with a tradition of over 90 years.  Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club Co., Ltd. Is also the exclusive issuer of "Diners Club" card in Japan. The company provides convenient and high-quality credit card services utilising various cards line-up including brands such as VISA and MasterCard.

SOURCE Collinson