New requirements for airport lounge access with Visa cards

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Overview

Visa, in partnership with DragonPass, has launched the new Visa Airport Companion app in the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region. As part of this partnership, Visa will continue to provide the highest levels of airport lounge access to Visa Premium cardholders worldwide.

 

What has changed?

Effective April 1, 2026, Visa introduced new requirements based on the spending eligibility criteria for airport lounge access using eligible cards, to promote and encourage cross-border spend engagement.

Cards Included

  • Visa Platinum
  • Visa Infinite
  • Business Credit Card
  • AJIB Global Credit Card/ Platinum

New Requirements Details

  • Visa Infinite Credit Cards:
  1. Eligibility condition: Cumulative international transaction value of USD 5 within 90 days prior to benefit usage.
  2. One guest with the cardholder per visit.
  3. Unlimited total number of usages per calendar qualifying year, after the eligibility condition is met.
  4. No usage allowed, if eligibility condition is not met.

 

  • Visa Platinum Credit Cards, Visa Business Platinum Credit Card and Visa AJIB Global Platinum Credit Cards:
  1. Eligibility condition: cumulative international transaction value of USD 30 within 90 days prior to benefit usage.
  2. Cardholder only, no guests allowed.
  3. Six visits is the total number of usages per calendar year, after the eligibility condition is met.
  4. No usage allowed, if eligibility condition is not met.

Visa Airport Companion Application

Previously, Visa cardholders were required to show their eligible card to the receptionist to enter the airport lounges, but now all cardholders – primary and supplementary – are required to show the QR Code through the “Visa Airport Companion” application.

Application Features

  • Fully digital experience — enrolled cardholders can use the VAC app to access participating airport lounges and benefit from an improved customer experience.
  • Real-time eligibility checks via Visa Card Eligibility Service (VCES), enabling an even more convenient registration.
  • Extensive lounge coverage — with 1200+ lounges globally, including 220 in CEMEA, eligible cardholders can enjoy the benefits of VAC’s global network. Cardholders can also access details regarding participating lounge locations and information.

Steps to register for the Visa Airport Companion application

Step 1: Download app

Download the Visa Airport Companion app now which will be available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

 

Step 2: Registration

  1.  Register your eligible Visa card (primary and/or supplementary) on the app, by clicking on the Sign-Up option.
  2. The cardholder enters their Visa card details, including the card number, expiry date, CVV number, and country of issuance.
  3. Your card will be authenticated by:
  • Send a text message confirming the reservation of $0 to confirm.
  • Perform 3D Secure (Visa Secure Authentication) and Account Verification.

Note: In case of failures, cardholders will be notified with the appropriate

error message to contact their respective Issuer.

 

Step 3: Customer Verification Process

As part of profile setup:

  1. the cardholder enters their details:
  • Name (which must match passport)
  • Contact information (Mobile Number and Email Address).
  1. Accept terms and conditions

Note: If the name entered in the VAC app does not match the name on the passport, the cardholder will not be granted access to the lounge.

 

Step 4: Complete the verification process and create the password

  1.  A six-digit code is sent to the cardholder’s email address or phone number for verification.
  2. Upon successful verification, the cardholder creates a password.
  3.  The cardholder can then set up biometric access and offline access, if desired.     
  4. Once enabled, offline access allows cardholders to see their membership data without mobile data or Wi-Fi access. If offline mode is not enabled and no internet connection is available, the cardholder will not be able to access the lounge. 

Note: First-time setup of offline access requires internet connection.

 

Step 5: Login

The cardholder can log in with their email address and password or via biometrics (if enabled).

 

Step 6: Home Page

Once logged in, a personalized welcome page is displayed where the cardholder can see their available entitlements, any terms or rules, and links to view airport lounges.

 

Step 7: Lounge Access

To browse and access lounges, the cardholder clicks Explore Lounges. After selecting the airport and desired lounge, the digital membership card (QR code) will be displayed for the cardholder to scan at the lounge.

• The cardholder can also access their membership card in the Membership section of the app.

Terms and Conditions

  • If there are issues with login, the cardholder can select the help icon or reset their password.
  • The cardholder will be locked out of their account for 30 minutes after the fifth unsuccessful login attempt.
  • If the cardholder has enabled offline access, the app will display a notification on the home screen. The cardholder can still access their membership QR code even if they do not have mobile data/Wi-Fi access.
  • If the cardholder’s Visa card has expired, their entitlements will be locked until they update their card details.