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Mastercard Partners with Qlub to Elevate Contactless Payments Across the GCC Hospitality Scene

James Miller, GetTransfer.com
by 
James Miller, GetTransfer.com
5 minutes read
News
September 22, 2025

Mastercard and Qlub: Digitizing Hospitality Payments in the GCC

A game-changing partnership has been forged between Mastercard and Qlub, a fintech leader in hospitality, aiming to reshape digital and contactless payments throughout the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). This collaboration reflects a keen response to the escalating thirst for smooth, technology-driven dining encounters in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Vision and Scope of the Partnership

Mastercard is set to provide its advanced payment solutions and technological platforms, seamlessly integrating with Qlub’s innovative services. The agreement includes Mastercard’s minority investment in Qlub and processing of card-not-present transactions via Mastercard Gateway in multiple GCC markets.

Since joining Mastercard’s acclaimed startup program, Start Path, in 2023, Qlub has demonstrated rapid progress, supported by Mastercard’s ambition to elevate digital commerce particularly within the fast-growing hospitality sector.

Transforming Payments with QR Technology

The partnership marries Qlub’s cutting-edge QR-code based payment technology with Mastercard’s vast global payments infrastructure. This union aims to simplify dining experiences — speeding up payments, boosting security, and enhancing convenience for both restaurants and diners.

The collaboration is more than a financial engagement; it is a step toward empowering innovators who redefine how people live, work, and transact in the hospitality landscape.

Qlub’s Rapid Growth and Market Footprint

Year Founded Headquarters Restaurants Covered Users Served Countries Operating Employee Strength
2021 Dubai 3,000+ 3,000,000+ 10 ~300

Qlub’s smart dining model using QR-based payments has transformed dining convenience across thousands of restaurants and millions of users, quickly spreading its footprint across 10 countries since its launch.

Investment and Expansion

The fintech’s significant funding round of $30 million, co-led by Shorooq and Cherry Ventures and backed by strategic stakeholders such as e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital, signals its ambition to expand globally and continue developing its smart dining experience.

Why This Matters for Travelers and Hospitality Services

The rise of swift, contactless payment methods is reshaping how travelers interact with hospitality services in the GCC. For anyone traveling to these vibrant cities, such innovations mean less waiting, more flexibility, and secure transactions at dining locations and other services.

In the context of taxi and transfer services, platforms like GetTransfer.com complement these trends by offering transparency and control over your travel options. You get to choose your exact vehicle, note details like make, model, and driver ratings before booking, creating a seamless pre-trip experience that pairs nicely with the hassle-free payment ecosystem evolving in hospitality.

Key Features and Benefits of the Mastercard–Qlub Collaboration

  • Enhanced digital payment infrastructure by integrating Mastercard’s robust technology with Qlub’s niche fintech solutions.
  • Wider market coverage ensuring seamless experiences across major GCC countries with millions of users benefiting.
  • Contactless, QR-based payments fostering faster table transactions and improving hospitality workflows.
  • Strategic investment from Mastercard to fuel Qlub’s growth and development on a global scale.
  • Strengthened security and convenience for restaurants and consumers alike, offering peace of mind with each transaction.

Table: Market Impact at a Glance

Aspect Impact
Payment Speed Faster checkouts at restaurants
Security Reduced fraud with tokenized contactless payments
Consumer Experience More convenient, tech-savvy dining
Restaurant Efficiency Streamlined payment processing
Geographical Reach Expanded across 10 GCC and regional markets

Final Thoughts: Innovation Meets Hospitality

This innovative alliance between Mastercard and Qlub highlights a crucial trend in hospitality—the shift towards smart, seamless digital payments that cater to modern consumer expectations. By embracing QR code technology and expanding global infrastructure, they make dining experiences not only quicker but also more enjoyable and secure.

While such advancements set exciting new standards, nothing quite compares to experiencing these benefits firsthand. On GetTransfer.com, travelers can hire vehicles from verified companies with transparent pricing and service details, helping avoid surprises and unnecessary costs. This reflects a broader move towards transparency and user empowerment in travel services—from dining to onward transit.

The platform offers a wide selection of vehicles, including private cars, limousines, and luxury seater options, with the ability to check drivers’ licenses, reviews, and fares right from the app before booking. This integration of technology and trust creates an effortless journey, harmonizing perfectly with the evolving digital payment landscape in hospitality.

Book your Ride now on GetTransfer.com and enjoy the convenience, security, and affordability of tailored transfers worldwide.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Global Tourism

Although this development in the GCC hospitality sector may seem region-specific, it mirrors a global move towards digitization and contactless convenience in travel and tourism. Such innovations can serve as a blueprint for enhancing payment systems in cities worldwide, improving visitor experiences at airports, hotels, restaurants, and local services.

GetTransfer remains proactive, continuously adapting to these trends to offer travelers worldwide a seamless method for booking transfers and trips with exact fare transparency, trusted drivers, and a diverse fleet at their fingertips. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with GetTransfer.

Summary

The partnership between Mastercard and Qlub is transforming the hospitality payment scene in the GCC with fast, secure, and contactless QR-code technology backed by Mastercard’s global platform. This alliance exemplifies how technological innovation is mentoring the future of dining and travel payments alike.

Such breakthroughs present a natural companion to tailored transfer services like those available via GetTransfer.com, where travelers can book exact vehicles—with full insight into prices, drivers, and service quality—ensuring smooth travel from airports to city destinations.

By combining digital payment ease in hospitality with transparent, reliable taxi and transfer options, travelers are equipped for more connected, efficient journeys. Whether it’s booking an airport cab or a limousine for a special occasion, technology-led platforms are raising the bar for modern travel convenience and satisfaction.

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