Mastercard Launches Access Pass in UAE to Deepen Consumer Engagement

Mastercard has moved to strengthen its footprint in experiential payments by debuting Mastercard Access Pass, a platform designed to give issuers and brands new tools for driving engagement, in the United Arab Emirates. The launch, announced in a Tuesday (Nov. 25) news release, comes as global payment networks and banks accelerate efforts to differentiate their digital card propositions through personalization, loyalty and embedded experiences.

The program is rolling out first with the McLaren Formula 1 Team and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), giving eligible FAB cardholders access to exclusive content, merchandise, events and limited-edition digital card art tied to the McLaren Racing brand. According to Mastercard, Access Pass lets consumers layer unique perks and visual designs onto their existing debit, credit, or prepaid cards without needing a new physical card.