Collinson International, a global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions, and owner and operator of Priority Pass, enhances its LoungeKey Pass solution in South Korea, offering card issuers in market new ways to enhance customer engagement and drive card usage through the provision of travel benefits seamlessly integrated into existing digital platforms.

LoungeKey Pass is a digital voucher that offers one-time access to premium airport lounges and travel experiences without the need for additional registration, physical cards or memberships. Seamlessly integrated into existing digital platforms such as a banking app, it allows card issuers to provide the travel benefit directly to customers upon fulfilling the required criteria or as a reward redemption. Eligible customers receive a digital pass which grants access to a global network of over 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences across more than 832 airports around the world, including wellness facilities, sleep pods, dining options and more.

This enhanced solution comes amid growing interest in travel benefits among South Korean consumers. According to Collinson International’s research, 44% of cardholders in South Korea feel rewarded by travel benefits provided on their payment cards, 47% feel more valued, and 91% are more likely to use their cards for everyday expenses when they come with travel benefits and rewards. When it comes to the travel benefits most valued by South Korea consumers, airport lounge access remains central to today’s airport experience, with 80% of travellers having visited an airport lounge at least once, while more than half (56%) said that payment card access to lounges has enhanced their overall airport journey.

Complementing Priority Pass, the world’s leading airport experiences programme, the enhanced LoungeKey Pass solution tailored for the South Korean market, offers card issuers additional ways to drive usage, higher transaction volumes and card spend by offering airport lounge access as a reward linked to card transactions, loyalty points or specific spend thresholds.

“Our research shows that travel spend accounts for almost a third of South Korean consumers’ annual card expenditure, with average spend per annum reaching USD 5,553 – almost 17% higher than the APAC average. This underscores the value that South Korean consumers place on travel and their willingness to spend on seamless, premium experiences,” said Ian Lee, Managing Director, North Asia, Collinson International.

Shinhan Card is the first card issuer in South Korea to offer LoungeKey Pass to its customers. From March 2026, eligible cardholders will be able to access a global network of 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences, with the convenience of using unique QR-codes for seamless entry and the ability to track visit entitlements directly within Shinhan Card’s Shinhan SOL pay.

“We are thrilled to be the first bank in South Korea to integrate the enhanced LoungeKey Pass solution in our Shinhan SOL pay app, and to partner with Collinson International to bring this highly-valued travel experience to our customers,” said a Shinhan Card Official. “As consumer expectations continue to evolve, premium travel benefits are becoming an increasingly important differentiator for cardholders. The integration of LoungeKey Pass into our ecosystem enhances our overall travel proposition by providing our most valued customers with seamless access to a global network of airport lounges and experiences. This partnership not only elevates the travel experiences we offer, but also reinforces the distinctive value and service our customers expect from us.”