Mastercard and Trip.com are piloting an AI agent that can search, book and pay for travel.

The two companies unveiled the tool at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week. Payments company Network International is also part of the project.

The pilot uses Mastercard’s Agent Suite for Merchants. This lets merchants build AI-driven shopping tools into their existing systems.

Trip.com is using it to upgrade TripGenie, its AI travel assistant. The agent can now complete a booking, not just suggest one.

This is an example of agentic commerce. An AI agent handles a purchase on a person’s behalf, with their approval.

Mastercard supplies the payments network and gateway infrastructure. Network International handles acquiring for the region.

“Through our collaboration with Trip.com and Network International, we are showcasing how consumers can transact confidently with new solutions,”

said Mete Güney, Mastercard’s Executive Vice President of Market Development for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Our role is to make the entire journey, from planning through to booking and payment, simpler, faster and more connected,”

said Schubert Lou, Chief Executive of Trip.com.

The pilot covers select travel services, such as attractions and add-on bookings.

A phased rollout and commercial launch are planned for early 2027.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by Mastercard via its Press Release.