MasterCard cardholders enjoy more convenience than ever for the festive season

For everything from a bottle of perfume to jewellery, or even a family holiday, MasterCard is the best way to pay for the simplest to the most elaborate holiday gift purchases. If travel is on the agenda, MasterCard is your travelling companion offering all the benefits and services of the MasterCard Card.

"We have seen amazing growth in merchant acceptance throughout our region over the last 12 months, and we encourage MasterCard cardholders to take advantage of the enormous array of products and services that can be safely and conveniently purchased with a MasterCard card. During this special and festive season there is no better way to pay for gifts, entertainment, or travel," said Mohamed Belarj, senior vice president and general manager, MasterCard International, Middle East and North Africa.

With more than 112,000 merchant locations in the Middle East and North Africa and over 28 million worldwide, no other payment card is more accepted than MasterCard. Over the last 2 years, the MENA region has experienced significant increases in merchant locations allowing cardholders ever-expanding choice and convenience when using their MasterCard card.

Over the last 2 years, the United Arab Emirates experienced a sharp increase reaching nearly 17,000 merchants while Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have increased to 15,500 and 19,500 merchant locations, respectively. Cardholders in Lebanon have enjoyed a significant increase and can now use their MasterCard card when making purchases at more than 15,000 locations throughout the country. Kuwait has also seen an increase in acceptance and now boasts more than 5,000 merchant locations.