Insider Spotlight
Why it matters
Airport lounge access has traditionally required separate memberships, third-party apps, or physical cards.
Maya’s integration with Dragonpass collapses those steps into a single in-app feature, signaling a shift in how financial platforms compete not just on rates or rewards, but on everyday convenience and experiential value.
What’s new
Maya Black Credit Card holders can now access participating airport lounges worldwide by generating a QR code directly from the Maya app.
There is no separate registration, no additional downloads, and no manual verification at the lounge. The experience is designed to mirror the simplicity users expect from mobile payments, now extended to global travel privileges.
Big picture
This launch makes Maya the first fintech platform in the Philippines to embed global lounge access via API, reflecting a broader trend where digital banks evolve into lifestyle ecosystems.
By integrating Dragonpass’ global network into its app, Maya positions itself as a one-stop interface for banking, payments, rewards, and travel—blurring the line between financial services and daily life enablement.
What they’re saying
“Maya Black reflects our goal to make premium experiences truly accessible,” Shailesh Baidwan, president of Maya Group and co-founder of Maya Bank, said in a press release on Dec. 12, 2025.
“Through Dragonpass, our customers can now enjoy global lounge access directly from the app they already use for their everyday banking—proof that financial innovation can be both practical and delightful,” he added.
Dragonpass also frames the move as a glimpse of travel’s digital future. “This initiative with Maya represents the future of travel convenience,” said Emre Dilmen, chief commercial officer of Dragonpass.
“By integrating lounge access directly within the Maya app, we’re merging world-class travel experiences with everyday digital banking,” he said.
By the numbers
Each Maya Black cardholder receives one complimentary lounge pass per quarter, usable at participating airports in the Philippines and abroad.
The perk sits alongside other Maya Black features, including numberless cards, real-time spend controls, AI-driven fraud protection, and rewards through Maya Miles.
Why now
Access to credit cards remains limited in the Philippines, with a significant share of adults historically finding them difficult to obtain.
Maya’s digital-first approach ties easier access to credit with tangible lifestyle benefits, reframing premium travel not as an exclusive luxury but as an attainable convenience.
The bottom line
By turning airport lounge access into a native app feature, Maya is not just simplifying travel—it is redefining what Filipinos can expect from a fintech platform, where premium experiences are no longer hidden behind complexity, but delivered as effortlessly as a tap. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
