Thomas Cook India and Mastercard Partner for ‘Priceless Cities’ Experience

Outbound travellers from India gain first time access to handpicked ‘Priceless’ experiences in the world’s greatest cities 

Mumbai/New Delhi, India - May 16, 2019: Tapping into the evolving aspiration of Indian travellers, Mastercard and Thomas Cook India today announced their partnership to bring, for the first time, Mastercard’s global ‘Priceless Cities’ program for outbound travellers from India. Offered for a period of six months starting May 2019, Thomas Cook India’s Forex cardholders (Borderless Prepaid Cards and One Currency Cards) will have the opportunity to utilize these unique benefits and create enriching experiences for themselves. The initiative will allow travellers the opportunity to unlock hidden gems across more than 40 cities worldwide through the ‘Priceless Cities’ program. All Thomas Cook prepaid cards in India exclusively enjoy Mastercard’s safe and secure payments network.

‘Priceless Cities’ is part of Priceless, a one-of-a-kind global experiential program by Mastercard. First introduced in New York in 2011, the program celebrates the world's greatest cities by connecting consumers' passions to unique experiences, privileged access and attractive offers. Cardholders will have access to box seats at bespoke events, cooking classes with Masterchefs, along with an array of other benefits to choose from. The program is designed to bring consumers closer to their passions — dining, sports, shopping, arts and entertainment, and travel — through one-of-a-kind experiences and exclusive access in more than 40 destinations around the world such as Paris, Rome, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.

Commenting on the launch, Mahesh Iyer, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “We are delighted to partner with Mastercard to offer our Borderless and One Currency card customers, unique and inspirational experiences across more than 40 cities worldwide. India’s new age travellers are showing an increasing appetite for exclusive experiences and hence the Priceless Cities portfolio, featuring falcon flying in Dubai, stay at Zaya Nurai, one of the world’s most beautiful islands in Abu Dhabi , or a gin masterclass in Singapore, finds strong appeal across our segments.”

Vikas Varma, Senior Vice President, Account Management, South Asia, Mastercard said, "Mastercard is passionate about creating memorable experiences for its cardholders. Mastercard’s partnership with Thomas Cook will allow Indian outbound travellers to use their Thomas Cook travel prepaid cards for cashless shopping and enjoy unparalleled access to a suite of benefits and privileges worldwide.”

Thomas Cook prepaid cardholders can view the ‘Priceless Cities’ packages here - https://www.thomascook.in/campaigns/mastercard-priceless-citie

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Set-up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. (TCIL) is the leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services that include Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, Insurance, Visa and Passport services and E-Business. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Private Safaris East & South Africa.

As one of the largest travel service provider networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, The Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across 5 continents, a team of over 8226 and a combined revenue in excess of Rs. 11,411.6 Cr. (over $ 1.75 Bn).

TCIL has been felicitated with The Best Outbound Tour Operator and Leading Company with Cutting Edge Travel Innovation at the Times Travel Awards 2018, Excellence in Domestic Tour Operations at the SATTE Awards 2018, Best Travel Entrepreneur of The Year at TTG Travel Awards 2017, The French Ambassador’s Diamond Award for Exemplary Achievements in Visa Insurance– 2015 to 2018 and the Condé Nast Traveller – Readers’ Travel Awards from 2011 to 2018.

CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programmes and bank facilities of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd at ‘CRISIL AA-/Stable on the long-term bank facilities of TCIL and CRISIL A1+ rating on the short-term bank facilities and short- term debt of the Company.

For more information, please visit www.thomascook.in

Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 66.93% of its paid up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.

About Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management. Founded in 1985 by the present Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prem Watsa, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Its common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FFH and in U.S. dollars under the symbol FFH.U.

About Quess Corp Limited: TCIL owns 48.82% of Quess Corp Limited, a provider of integrated business services.

About Subsidiaries of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.: Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is engaged in time share and resort business.

SOTC Travel Limited (Formerly known as SOTC Travel Private Limited) wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel.

TCIL owns 100% of TC Forex Services Limited (Formerly known as Tata Capital Forex Limited) (TC Forex) and TC Travel Services Limited (Formerly known as TC Travel and Services Limited) (TC Travel). TC Forex offers travel related foreign exchange products including Currency notes, Travel Cards and Traveller’s cheques and TC Travel offers a wide range of services including Airline ticketing, Booking Hotel accommodation, Visa and Passport facilitation, Travel insurance and more.

Thomas Cook India Group has recently completed its acquisition of a 51% stake in DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), one of the world’s leading imaging solutions and services providers.

For more information, visit:

Quess Corp Limited: http://www.quesscorp.com

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited: http://www.sterlingholidays.com

SOTC Travel Limited: http://www.sotc.in

About Mastercard

Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry.  Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard 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.  Follow us on Twitter @mastercardindia, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.