Posted inTravel & Hospitality

dnata, Visa unveil exclusive benefits for GCC’s wealthy travellers

Eligible cardholders will gain access to value-added benefits including upgrades, preferred rates and bespoke experiences offered by select hotel partners

dnata visa partnership
The partnership highlights a shift in how affluent Gulf travellers book luxury experiences. Image: dnata

dnata has announced an exclusive collaboration with Visa to promote curated resort and hotel offers for high-net-worth travellers across the Gulf.

Partner establishments will be integrated into Visa’s concierge and benefits platforms, which serve as personalised travel and lifestyle channels for this customer segment.

The launch coincides with Visa’s new Private card designed for individuals with at least $1 million in investable assets or a monthly salary of AED 100,000 or more.

Eligible cardholders will gain access to value-added benefits including upgrades, preferred rates and bespoke experiences offered by select hotel partners. Participating properties include Club Med’s network of all-inclusive resorts, Villa Le Corail in Nha Trang, Vietnam, City of Dreams in Limassol, Cyprus, Seehof Davos in Switzerland, and 369 Degrees Hotels & Maisons across France.

The partnership highlights a shift in how affluent Gulf travellers book luxury experiences. Rather than using traditional online travel channels many high-net-worth clients now prefer concierge platforms within their financial institutions, valuing privacy, trust and tailored service.

“This collaboration is about meaningful access, not just visibility,” said Rakhi Purohit, head of dnata Representation Services. “Our hotel partners are connecting with a highly selective customer base through a trusted and exclusive environment. These travellers don’t browse – they expect seamless, premium service delivered where they already are.”

“With dnata Representation Services, Visa Private is giving high-net-worth cardholders access to exceptional destinations with the privacy and personalisation they value,” said Yuri Topunov, VP & Head of Products & Solutions for MENA at Visa. “It’s about delivering seamless, curated journeys – all backed by Visa’s payment security and worldwide acceptance – that match the lifestyle aspirations of GCC travellers while driving value for our hospitality partners.”

The platform will target destinations popular with Gulf travellers, including Europe, the Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia markets which are consistently ranked among the top luxury getaways for the region’s growing wealthy population.

The partnership also comes amid a surge in private wealth across the Gulf. The UAE led the world in millionaire migration in 2023, according to Henley & Partners, while Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a major hub for ultra-high-net-worth investment.

For dnata Representation Services, the collaboration forms part of a wider effort to provide hotel partners with higher-value access points to premium travellers beyond traditional OTAs and mass marketing channels.

“Visa’s concierge services are becoming trusted gateways for a new generation of luxury spenders,” Purohit added. “This is about elevating how and where bookings happen – through curated, closed-loop ecosystems that reflect the expectations of today’s top-tier travellers.”

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Nicole Abigael

Nicole Abigael is a Reporter at Arabian Business and the host of the AB Majlis podcast. She covers a diverse range of topics including luxury real estate, high-net-worth individuals, technology, and lifestyle...

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  • Nicole Abigael is a Reporter at Arabian Business and the host of the AB Majlis podcast. She covers a diverse range of topics including luxury real estate, high-net-worth individuals, technology, and lifestyle trends across the Middle East. Nicole...

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