Visa has introduced a new Visa Airport Companion (VAC) app designed to offer exclusive services to eligible Visa cardholders worldwide, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA). The app aims to provide users with a streamlined and enjoyable experience at airports, leveraging a partnership with DragonPass, a global leader in travel and lifestyle services.
A New Standard for Airport Lounge Access
Visa’s new app offers cardholders access to over 1200 airport lounges across 140 countries, ensuring convenience and comfort throughout their travels. Available on iOS and Android, the app replaces existing lounge access programs, which officially ended on October 1, 2024. With this new platform, Visa promises a more unified and digital experience for users, combining several travel benefits in one place.
The Visa Airport Companion app is designed to improve the experience for frequent travelers. It allows users to perform real-time eligibility checks, ensuring they are aware of their remaining lounge visits and can track their usage seamlessly. The app also provides detailed information about participating lounges worldwide, making it easier for cardholders to find and access airport services wherever they are.
One of the standout features of the app is its offline access, allowing users to view essential details even without internet connectivity—an invaluable tool for travelers on the go. Additionally, the app supports biometric authentication, further enhancing user convenience by making the login process fast and secure.
Expanding Beyond Lounge Access
While lounge access is the core feature of the app, Visa is planning to extend the app’s services to include more exclusive benefits for cardholders. The app will evolve into a comprehensive travel companion, offering services like fast-track airport processes, dining privileges, and spa access. These additional features aim to elevate the overall travel experience for Visa users, whether they are traveling for business or leisure.
According to Godfrey Sullivan, Head of Product Solutions and Digital Partnerships at Visa CEMEA, the Visa Airport Companion app is designed to deliver a premium, fully digital experience from the start of the journey. Sullivan emphasized that the app’s development is centered on the needs of travelers, providing them with convenient access to Visa’s extensive range of benefits at airports worldwide.
He noted, “Whether traveling for business or leisure, we know Visa cardholders enjoy a premium experience from the very start of their journey, including simple access to airport lounges. The new Visa Airport Companion is designed around the traveler, offering a fully digital and seamless experience.”
How the App Works for Visa Cardholders
Eligible Visa cardholders can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to start using its features. Once registered, users can view the lounges available at various airports, check their eligibility, and track how many lounge visits they’ve used versus those remaining. The app also allows Visa cardholders to access a global network of lounges and services, whether traveling from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi or any other major airport in the world.
Looking Ahead
The Visa Airport Companion app is part of Visa’s ongoing efforts to enhance its digital offerings for cardholders, ensuring that their airport experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. As the app continues to evolve, more features will be added, offering cardholders additional ways to make their travel smoother, including faster processing through airport security, dining discounts, and wellness services at airports worldwide.
For Kenyan travelers and those across the CEMEA region, this new app provides a valuable tool for ensuring a more pleasant journey, from start to finish. Whether frequenting local airports or embarking on long-haul international flights, the Visa Airport Companion app offers unmatched convenience and a digital-first solution to enhance travel.
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