Sompo Insurance Thailand has announced a collaboration with Collinson International, the company behind Priority Pass, to introduce a new travel benefit aimed at addressing flight delays.
The service, branded as Sompo Smart Delay, gives policyholders access to over 1,600 airport lounges and travel experiences worldwide, designed to ease the inconvenience of delayed travel.
The Smart Delay feature is integrated into Sompo’s TravelJoy platform, offering single-trip and annual policyholders the ability to redeem benefits automatically when delays occur. Eligible customers will receive a digital voucher that can be used to access airport lounges in real time.
Aditya Vardhan Tibrewala, CEO of Sompo Insurance Thailand, highlighted the strategic value of this partnership.
“By offering exclusive perks like Sompo Smart Delay, we’re not just positioning Sompo Thailand as a trailblazer in the industry; we’re setting a new standard for the entire travel insurance in the Thai market to deliver an unparalleled travel experience,” he said.
He also noted that the program would likely be expanded to other markets in the Asia Pacific region where Sompo operates.
Collinson International’s global chief commercial officer and Asia Pacific executive chair, Todd Handcock, underscored the relevance of lounge access for Thai travellers.
“With our recent research revealing that travellers in Thailand greatly value airport lounge access, particularly during the event of a flight delay, we are confident that our partnership with Sompo will provide a convenient and accessible solution that will alleviate travel stress and provide their valued customers a place to unwind and relax at the airport – enabling them to enjoy their upcoming travel with peace of mind,” he said.
He added that this partnership ensures Sompo customers can access these benefits, reducing travel stress and improving their overall journey.
The launch of this benefit comes amid significant flight disruption in the Asia Pacific region.
According to Collinson, more than 33 million travellers in the region experienced delays of over an hour as of mid-2024. Priority Pass research also found that preflight disruptions cause considerable stress for six in 10 travellers, particularly as travel ranks among the highest annual expenses in the region.
The introduction of Sompo Smart Delay aligns with a broader trend in the insurance industry to integrate customer-centric solutions. By addressing the stress of flight delays with tangible benefits, Sompo aims to strengthen its position in Thailand’s competitive travel insurance market.