November 02, 2011 - Dubai Airports, Dubai Duty Free and MasterCard Worldwide today announced the launch of DXB Connect, the world's first airport prepaid MasterCard card aimed primarily at airport clientele.

Operated on the MasterCard network and issued by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) in conjunction with Jade Payments and Global Processing Services, the DXB Connect card offers over 50 million passengers annually travelling through Dubai International, a convenient and safe method to make airport purchases in local currency (AED).

DXB Connect offers arriving, departing and transiting passengers exclusive discounts at Dubai Duty Free retail outlets, as well as at renowned hotels, spas, F&B outlets and family entertainment venues across Dubai. It also offers global reach as it is accepted everywhere the MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed. As part of the package, the card also comes with a ready to use Etisalat mobile SIM preloaded with AED 25 credit allowing travellers the convenience of having a local phone number on arrival.

DXB Connect cards can be purchased for a one-time fee of 95AED (USD26) and immediately activated at dedicated card activation stands operated by Dubai Duty Free (DDF) across all three terminals at Dubai International. Travellers are able to select the amount they wish to load onto the card when activating it.  The card can be topped up at specified locations in the airport and very soon also through all Virgin Megastores, UAE Exchange outlets in UAE and online via the DXB Connect website (www.dxbconnect.com). DXB Connect cardholders can access their card balance through IVR, SMS, dxbconnect.com and at card activation touch points at Dubai International. 

The Etisalat prepaid SIM and the DXB Connect prepaid cards are instantly activated at multiple card activation touch points across the airport.  This is the first time in the world where a prepaid MasterCard and prepaid mobile SIM have been integrated into a single package for customer convenience.

The DXB Connect card provides cardholders with the ability to better manage their finances as they are not able to spend beyond the pre-paid balance amount stored on the card. It is PIN enabled for ATM use and requires cardholders to provide a signature at point of sale terminals.  Additionally, like a credit card, it can be cancelled, blocked and re-issued.

"Our goal is to continually find innovative ways to create a uniquely positive and memorable service experience for our passengers," said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. "Much like the airport itself, the DXB Connect card ticks all the boxes by offering our customers global reach, greater convenience and tremendous value."

"We are very excited about the DXB Connect card and have enjoyed working with Dubai Airports and MasterCard on making it all come together," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free. "The DXB Connect card will offer travellers tremendous opportunities to avail of a pre-paid card that is easy to purchase at Dubai Duty Free and quickly activated.  I think that it is going to be very popular with a diverse mix of travellers."

"As the world's first dedicated airport prepaid card, the DXB Connect ushers in a new era of convenience customised for travellers visiting the UAE," said   Ramzy Al Amary, vice president-Abu Dhabi District Manager, MasterCard Worldwide.  "DXB Connect cardholders will be powered with the ability to instantly buy, load, activate and use their prepaid cards at the airport and across our global network of 32.7 million acceptance locations.  The DXB Connect card provides travellers the advantage of carrying a mode of payment, which requires no bank account or annual fees and is more flexible than cash."

The global e-commerce industry is growing quickly with sales turnover increasing from US$183 billion in 2004 to an estimated US$550 billion by the end of this year. Similarly the global duty free industry is on the rise with sales turnover increasing some 56% from US$25 billion in 2004 to US$ 39 billion in 2010.

For more information on the DXB Connect card and a full list of partners and offers, please visit www.dxbconnect.com

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About Dubai Airports
Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both of Dubai's airports - Dubai International and Dubai World Central. Dubai International is the 4th busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic volumes and 4th in international cargo volumes offering connections to over 220 destinations across six continents on more than 150 airlines. Dubai World Central, the first phase of which was opened for cargo operations in June 2010, will eventually become the world's largest airport with a capacity of 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

About Dubai Duty Free
Dubai Duty Free opened for business on December 20th 1983 and over the past 28 years has grown to become the single largest airport retailer in the world with a turnover of US$1.27 billion in 2010.  The operation continues to witness positive sales growth in 2011 with sales for the first nine months reaching an impressive US$1.036 billion. Employing close to 4,000 people, DDF currently operates some 18,000 square metres of retail space at Dubai International, which will increase by a further 8,000 square metres in 2012 with the opening of Concourse 3. To date Dubai Duty Free has received more than 200 awards. The retailer was also honoured at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Award.  Dubai Duty Free, is highly committed to promoting Dubai through a series of high level sporting events including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and reaches a global audience of 400 million TV viewers.

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is a global payments and technology company.  It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Learn more at www.mastercard.com, follow us on Twitter @mastercardnews or join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog.

About ADCB:
ADCB was formed in 1985 and as at June 2011 employed over 3,800 people from 49 nationalities, serving over 480,000 retail customers and over 33,000 wholesale clients in 45 branches, 4 pay offices and 1 kiosk in the UAE and two branches in India.  It is the third largest bank in the UAE and second largest in Abu Dhabi by assets, at AED 179 bn as at 30 June 2011. ADCB is a full-service commercial bank which offers a wide range of products and services such as retail banking, wealth management, private banking, corporate banking, commercial banking, cash management, investment banking, corporate finance, foreign exchange, interest rate, currency, derivative and Islamic products, project finance and property management services. ADCB is owned 58.08% by the Abu Dhabi Government through the Abu Dhabi Investment Council.  Its shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market.  As at 30 June 2011, ADCB's market capitalisation was AED 17 bn.

About Global Processing Services (GPS)
Global Processing Services FZ LLC (GPS) provides Prepaid card transaction processing, Prepaid card programme management, financial control & reconciliation, and consultancy services to banks and other clients in Europe and the Middle East. Formed in Dubai in 2007 and wholly owned by its Directors and staff, the Company is recognised as a pioneer in its field by the leading global payment networks. It processes transactions for in excess of 1.2m Prepaid cards per year issued via over 70 live Prepaid programmes. GPS service offering is founded upon an extensive proprietary technology platform developed by the Company from the ground up. This robust platform provides GPS's banking and programme management partners with the tools required to issue, load, activate, process and manage Prepaid card programmes, including non-core processing services such as: Financial Control & Reconciliation; Compliance, Fraud &and Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring; and Customer Services Interfaces.  

About Jade Payments
Jade Payments are a Prepaid Programme Manager and the architects of the DXB Connect programme. Working in partnership with the key stakeholders, Jade Payments have designed and delivered the ground-breaking package of prepaid payment card, mobile telephony, and cardholder benefits that combine to form the DXB Connect product offering. Jade Payments will continue to provide support to cardholders and to the stakeholders to ensure that the programme operates efficiently and continues to evolve by delivering enhanced services and benefits to cardholders. With a presence in Hong Kong and Dubai, Jade Payments has an exciting pipeline of prepaid programmes in development that will continue to lead the market across the Middle East and Asia regions.

Contacts:
Noor Alayah ,
GolinHarris KSA- Jeddah ,
+966 2 6502743 -102 ,
nalayah@golinharris.com

© Press Release 2011