Research reveals that 100% of people surveyed experienced a flight delay in the past two years, with over two-thirds only notified about the delay after check-in. Mastercard has partnered with Collinson, a global leader in customer benefits and loyalty, to provide an enhanced airport experience for cardholders across six leading Indian banks.
Mastercard has partnered with Collinson, a global leader in customer benefits and loyalty, to bring Mastercard Flight Delay Pass to customers in India. Powered by Collinson’s signature SmartDelay™ solution, Mastercard Flight Delay Pass enables eligible cardholders across six major Indian banks to register their flights in advance to receive an instantly redeemable voucher for access to their nearest available airport lounge if they are delayed by two hours or more.
Collinson’s solution eases flight delay frustration with real-time benefits, supporting partners like Mastercard to provide customers with enhanced airport experiences and assistance in a time of need. Mastercard’s Flight Delay Pass leverages Collinson’s leading global lounge network and technology so that in case of disruption, cardholders plus one travelling companion can relax in comfort while waiting for their flights at over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. The service will be available to eligible cardholders at Canara Bank, Federal Bank Limited, HDFC Bank Limited, Indian Overseas Banks, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank and Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd.
Making its solution available to customers in India follows Collinson’s July announcement to triple its investment in the country to fuel additional growth within the company’s world-leading airport experiences; doubling its lounge portfolio and boosting its technology capabilities in India over the next three years.
India is a key market for Collinson, demonstrating strong growth potential in terms of outbound travel. Approximately 1.7 billion domestic passengers in India took to the skies in 2017[1] and outbound travellers are expected to number 50 million by 2020[2]. At the same time, a 2018 Collinson survey[3] reveals that flight delays now make a significant impact on travellers in India. All respondents had experienced a flight delay in the past two years and over two-thirds (64%) were only notified about the delay after check-in. Globally, one in five flights are now delayed[4].
Aman Ahuja, Vice President, Product Management, South Asia, Mastercard, said: “Mastercard is committed to provide Mastercard cardholders an increased level of reassurance and assistance while they travel. There is a significant shift in the lifestyle, travel habits, and growth aspirations among frequent flyers. The collaboration with Collinson to introduce Mastercard Flight Delay Pass is a great opportunity for Mastercard to provide more value to the issuer banks. Mastercard Flight Delay Pass, by leveraging Collinson’s leading airport lounge programmes and customer benefit solutions, will enable travellers to escape the stress of flight delays.”
Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer & President Asia Pacific at Collinson said: “India is the fastest growing domestic air travel market, demonstrating significant growth potential for the coming years. As interest in travel continues to rise, we are committed to increasing our presence in the market and supporting our financial services partners to offer the best solutions that deliver on the rapidly evolving needs of Indian travellers today. Collinson solutions like SmartDelay are the building blocks for innovative customer benefits - keeping them on the front foot, engaged, secure and in control. SmartDelay is an ideal entry-level solution for a bank’s mid-tier customers to try the benefit of lounge access for the first time and incentivise them to move up to a card-tier that includes Priority Pass™ or LoungeKey™ – meaning they can continue enjoying the lounge, even when their flight is not disrupted.”
Sources:
[1] Arabian Business
[2] UN World Tourism Organisation
[3] Research commissioned by Collinson in February 2018 with 1010 consumers in India
[4] Flight Stats data 2014 - 2016
