Klook and Mastercard team up to make APAC travel more rewarding

Klook and Mastercard have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their collaboration across Asia Pacific, with the companies looking to offer more travel benefits and explore new payment experiences for consumers in the region.

The collaboration will focus on three areas: enhancing value for Mastercard cardholders, opening up new travel and lifestyle opportunities, and exploring payment innovations. It will also see both companies look at areas such as deeper data collaboration as the partnership develops.

The move comes as travellers across Asia Pacific increasingly prioritise experiences when planning their trips, even as value remains a key consideration.

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According to Klook's "Travel pulse 2026" research, 47% of APAC consumers actively look for deals, discounts and bundled offers, while 42% book earlier to secure better prices.

At the same time, more than half of travellers no longer begin their planning with a destination already in mind. Nearly one in four (23%) choose where to travel based on a specific activity, while 73% said they would visit a lesser-known city for a unique event.

Against this backdrop, Klook and Mastercard will introduce discounts and privileges for Mastercard cardholders ahead of the year-end travel period. The companies are also planning to expand the collaboration with entertainment-related benefits over time.

Looking ahead, the two companies will explore further areas of collaboration, including the use of data and next-generation payment technologies, as they look to create more connected travel experiences across the region.

"Experiences give travel meaning, creating moments that become lasting memories," said Eric Gnock Fah, co-founder and president at Klook. "By combining Klook's experiences platform with Mastercard's global network and trusted payments infrastructure, we can help travelers discover more, unlock greater value, and spend less time planning and more time experiencing the world."

In tandem, Peter Robejsek, executive vice president, market development, APAC, Mastercard said, "The future of travel will be shaped by ecosystems that bring together the best of technology, payments and experiences."

"Through collaborations with industry leaders such as Klook, with their deep insights on travelers, Mastercard is helping create more personalized, rewarding and seamless journeys across the region. Together, we're unlocking new ways for consumers to discover, access and enjoy the experiences that matter most to them," he added. 

The Mastercard tie-up comes as Klook looks more broadly at how it can simplify the travel journey, from the way consumers plan their trips to how they book and pay for experiences.

Earlier this month, Klook launched its new global brand platform, "Get your travel right", putting the often-overlooked planners behind group holidays at the centre of its marketing. The campaign looks to address the growing complexity of travel planning, as travellers juggle accommodation, transport, attractions, dining recommendations, reviews and multiple booking platforms.

Developed by BBH Singapore, the campaign marks the agency's first work for Klook following a competitive pitch. It centres on the person in a friend or family group who typically compares options, builds itineraries and keeps everyone on track, with Klook's proprietary research finding that travel planning is among the least appreciated responsibilities within such groups.

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