This post contains everything you need to know about the new Visa Airport Companion App that eligible cardholders must use to take advantage of any complimentary airport lounge benefit they are entitled to.
What’s new?
Complimentary airport lounge access is among the most popular and arguably valuable credit card perks. It is a benefit available to holders of Visa Infinite and Visa Signature cards issued in the UAE.
Visa has launched the Visa Airport Companion App, which eligible cardholders must now use to access airport lounges.
The app is powered by Dragon Pass and grants access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide, including 20 airport lounges in the UAE alone.
How does the Visa Companion App work?
Previously, you could present your physical Visa card at an airport lounge reception. The card would then be swiped to verify eligibility and grant entry.
However, to access an airport lounge now, you must first search for the lounge in the new app and generate a unique QR code. The lounge staff will scan the unique QR code to grant access.
What do you need to do to start using the app?
There are three steps to start using the new Visa Airport Companion App:
- Download the new Visa Airport Companion App from Google Play or the App Store
- Register and verify your card eligibility
- Set up a Visa Airport Companion App account and login
The process was still clunky when I registered for the first time. The download and registration process took about ten minutes as you needed to verify your card and contact details. The latter requires an OTP, which is sent to your email. It was also not possible to cut and paste details into the app, which slowed the process further.
My advice is to download and register before travelling rather than finding yourself needing to do it at a lounge entrance. I ended up standing awkwardly for ten minutes at the lounge entrance in Yerevan after offering to guest in a friend travelling with me. However, once you are set up, the app is relatively easy to use, particularly as it is possible to activate Face ID on the iOS version.
What lounges can you access in the UAE?
Visa currently provides eligible cardholders complimentary lounge access to 20 airport lounges in the UAE. The complete list is:
Dubai International Airport
- Ahlan First Class Lounge (Concourse D)
- Ahlan Business Class Lounge (Concourse D)
- Marhaba Lounge (Terminal 2)
- Marhaba Lounge (Concourse A)
- Marhaba Lounge (Concourse B)
- Marhaba Lounge (Concourse C)
- Marhaba Lounge (Concourse D)
- Ahlan Lounge @ Gate A1 (Terminal 3)
- Ahlan Lounge Executive Floor (Terminal 3)
- Ahlan Lounge @ Gate C13
- Ahlan Lounge (Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Concourse A)
- sleep ‘n fly Sleep Lounge (Concourse A)
- sleep ‘n fly Lounge & Shower (Concourse B)
- sleep ‘n fly Lounge (Concourse C)
- sleep ‘n fly Sleep Lounge & Showers (Concourse D)
Zayed International Airport – Abu Dhabi
- Pearl Lounge
Sharjah Airport
- The Lounge – Terminal 1
Dubai Al Maktoum International
- Marhaba Lounge
Ras al Khaimah International Airport
- The Lounge
Not just airport lounges
Remember, you need to download the app on Google Play or the App Store before you will be able to gain access to any of the lounges above.
While, at the moment, the app is only used for airport lounge access, there are suggestions that Visa plans to expand the range of cardholder perks and benefits accessed via the Visa Airport Companion App. Watch this space.