Investec Partners with Dragonpass to Launch eSIM and Sees Immediate Market Success
How Investec and Dragonpass introduced eSIM connectivity to the InTransit travel benefits app and achieved rapid client adoption across the UK and South Africa.
In November 2025, Investec Bank Ltd (Investec South Africa) and Investec Bank plc (Investec UK) partnered with Dragonpass - a global travel and airport benefits provider - to launch eSIM, adding a high-demand digital product to Investec InTransit, its Dragonpass-powered travel benefits app. Within hours of going live, eSIM sales surpassed expectations.
This milestone marks the next step in Dragonpass’ evolution from an airport lounge network into a comprehensive travel benefits platform, enabling partners to deliver seamless, end-to-end travel experiences, and significantly strengthens Investec’s premium travel benefits offering.
Background
Investec’s InTransit programme already offered a range of Dragonpass-powered airport benefits, including:
Airport lounge access
Fast Track security
Airport dining offers
Research by Dragonpass showed 32% of their users ranked eSIM as the top requested digital benefit to be added to the programme. As the travel programme approached its one-year anniversary, Investec identified connectivity as the next logical extension of its travel ecosystem.
As Investec’s travel benefit partner, Dragonpass offered Investec priority access to its newly developed eSIM product—making Investec the first client to launch eSIM within the Dragonpass global network.
This partnership delivered clear value on both sides:
Investec strengthened its travel benefits platform with a new, highly relevant digital-first product.
Dragonpass accelerated innovation and brought a new travel service to market with a trusted, financial services partner.
Why eSIM Was a Strong Fit for Investec
Investec serves both high-net-worth clients in the UK, and the high-net-worth and high-Income markets in South Africa. Travel is important to Investec clients so eSIM aligned naturally with their lifestyle.
As part of Dragonpass’ broader travel and airport benefits ecosystem, eSIM complements existing services while helping clients stay in contact with friends, family and business while travelling abroad.
Key advantages:
A seamless solution for leisure and business travellers
A natural extension of airport and travel benefits in the app
A high-value digital product that offers convenience
A feature that complements airport lounge access, Fast Track security, airport dining offers, and pre-bookable services
A scalable benefit suitable across multiple tiers
Results
Client uptake was immediate from launch. For South Africa in particular, the launch coincided with peak travel season, driving immediate uptake.
Immediate performance highlights
Over 1 000 eSIMs purchased in South Africa in the first week
Within the first 24 hours, purchases covered unexpected global destinations, including Vatican City
Early user feedback has been extremely positive, praising the design and ease of use
These results validate strong client demand and demonstrate how expanding beyond traditional lounge access into broader travel services can materially increase engagement within a travel benefits programme.
How the Product Works
Dragonpass eSIM is fully built and branded within the app. A specialist connectivity partner supplies the network infrastructure while the entire journey from browsing to purchase to activation is delivered inside the Dragonpass platform.
Packages include:
Regional bundles (Europe, Asia, Global and more)
Single-country options
Multiple data package options (1GB to 20GB)
This gives users a simple, convenient way to stay connected abroad, all within the app they already use for lounge access, Fast Track and dining benefits.
Why the Partnership Worked
1. Perfect timing
The launch landed during South Africa’s busiest travel season.
2. A unified travel platform
Investec clients now access a full suite of airport and travel services in one place
Lounge access
Dining offers
Fast Track
eSIM connectivity
A single, seamless experience powered by Dragonpass.
3. Strong brand alignment
Investec aimed to deliver more value through differentiated travel benefits. Dragonpass enabled this by combining physical airport services with digital travel solutions, reinforcing its role as a comprehensive travel benefits provider for financial institutions.
Client Feedback
Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly around the intuitive purchase journey.
Alison Clarke, CVP Manager at Investec SA said:
"We are incredibly pleased with the launch of eSIM through Investec InTransit and delighted by the immediate response from our clients. The uptake has far exceeded our expectations, reaffirming the strong demand for seamless, travel-friendly digital solutions. Partnering with Dragonpass on this launch has allowed us to deliver meaningful value to our clients from day one."
Conclusion
The Investec eSIM launch demonstrated how Dragonpass helps banks and financial institutions evolve from standalone lounge access into fully integrated travel benefits programmes.
Key outcomes:
Dragonpass delivered the first client-powered eSIM integration
Investec became the first to market, achieving strong day-one adoption
Clients now benefit from an all-in-one travel platform spanning airport and digital services
The partnership sets the foundation for future innovation across both UK and South African markets.
As a global travel and airport benefits provider, Dragonpass continues to expand beyond lounges into connected, end-to-end experiences. The success of eSIM highlights the growing opportunity for banks and financial institutions to deliver smarter, more relevant travel benefits that increase engagement and differentiation.