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Mastercard is stepping into the airport lounge wars — but not with a cookie-cutter lounge model.
The card network has opened its first new “Taste of Priceless” airport dining lounges. These offer eligible cardholders complimentary access to à la carte dining, tasting menus, beverages, seating, Wi-Fi, and space to relax before a flight.
For now, these lounges are only available at select international airports. Still, this is notable. Mastercard’s new concept gives World Legend Mastercard cardholders another complimentary airport option — and one that appears to focus more on elevated dining than the typical buffet-style lounge experience.
Here’s what we know so far about Mastercard’s new Taste of Priceless lounges, where they’re located, and which cardholders can get in for free.
New Mastercard “Taste of Priceless” Lounges
These new lounges, a part of the “Taste by Priceless” experience, are now open at the following international airports:
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) – Located in Hong Kong Terminal 1, at the Level 7 mezzanine near Gate 40, and open from 6 a.m to 12 a.m daily.
- São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) – Located past passport control on the right, open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- A lounge is coming to Mexico City (MEX) airport, but the date has yet to be announced.
According to Mastercard, these lounges will feature:
- À la carte dining and chef-curated tasting menus featuring locally inspired cuisine
- Signature Priceless desserts & beverages will be available to order
- Comfortable seating for dining, working, and relaxing, with nearby power outlets
- Free and unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi
Who is Eligible for Entrance into These Lounges?
Any cardholder of a World Legend Mastercard will get access to these lounges. Cardholders can bring three guests with them at no cost, and children under 12 can accompany the cardholder for free. Additional entrants can purchase passes for $70-100 each.
So which cards fall under the World Legend umbrella? For U.S.-based travelers, the most common cards that will have access to these lounges are:
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
- 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
You can enter these Mastercard lounges by showing your physical credit card or your Priority Pass membership associated with your card. Note that the Citi AAdvantage Globe Card card does not have a Priority Pass membership but does enable access to these Mastercard lounges — as long as it has the Mastercard World Legend logo.
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access
Bottom Line
Mastercard’s new Taste of Priceless lounges are still limited in scope, with the first locations opening far outside the United States. But the concept itself is a big development: Eligible World Legend Mastercard cardholders can access a complimentary airport dining lounge — plus bring up to three guests.
Hopefully, Mastercard will continue expanding this concept to major international airports. If so, Taste of Priceless lounges could become a valuable new perk for World Legend cardholders, especially for travelers who prefer a proper à la carte meal over the usual lounge buffet.
For now, travelers passing through Hong Kong or São Paulo with an eligible World Legend Mastercard should keep these lounges on their radar. And with Mexico City already listed as a future location, this is a benefit worth watching.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
