Riyadh Air Launches Mastercard Payment Cards with Saudi Banks
Riyadh Air has introduced RX Pay, a new suite of Riyadh Air-branded Mastercard payment cards issued through leading Saudi banks. The launch marks a further step in the airline’s efforts to expand its loyalty offering beyond air travel and into everyday spending.
According to the company, RX Pay cardholders will be able to earn Sfeer Points on regular purchases and redeem them across Mastercard’s global acceptance network. The programme is designed to give customers rewards not only when they fly, but also through day-to-day transactions.
The cards also include a range of payment features aimed at improving flexibility for users. These capabilities include multi-currency support, split payments and instalment options, which will be provided by the issuing banks. Riyadh Air said the product is intended to combine travel rewards with practical payment functionality for customers in Saudi Arabia.
The initial rollout will begin in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Air noted that the launch is supported by an exclusivity agreement with Mastercard in the Kingdom, with plans to expand the programme into other markets through partnerships with local banks.
Management Comments
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, said the airline wanted to build a card experience that reflects the brand itself rather than simply placing its name on an existing banking product.
“We didn’t want to put our name on someone else’s card, we wanted to create something truly Riyadh Air, one that rewards our guests in their everyday lives, not just when they fly,” Boukadida said.
Adam Jones, Executive Vice President and Division President for West Arabia at Mastercard, said the collaboration is aimed at helping travellers earn rewards in line with how they already spend and move between markets.
“Together with leading Saudi banks, we are making it easier for travellers in Saudi Arabia and beyond to be rewarded for the way they already live and travel,” Jones said.
Industry Analysis
The launch reflects a broader trend among airlines and payment providers to integrate loyalty programmes with everyday financial activity. By linking travel rewards to card usage, Riyadh Air is extending customer engagement beyond bookings and airport touchpoints.
For Saudi banks, the product creates an opportunity to offer differentiated card propositions in a competitive market, while Mastercard strengthens its role in travel-related payments and loyalty infrastructure. The planned expansion beyond Saudi Arabia also suggests that airline-branded financial products may increasingly be used as a tool for market entry and customer retention in the region.
As consumer demand grows for more flexible, reward-linked payment experiences, partnerships between airlines, banks and global card networks are likely to play a larger role in shaping the Middle East’s payments landscape.
