Q: One of the perks offered for certain credit card holders is access to certain airport lounges. Will it be permissible for a credit card holder to use this perk and use the lounge?
A: If these benefits are received through the bank, then it will be impermissible for one to benefit from it.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q: Many people who have these facilities pay high bank charges or card fees eg. Zaids Bank charges are R300 000 rand for the year. After paying the bank so much in bank charges, why can he not take a R300 benefit from the bank by using the lounge facilities ?
A: The bank charges are in lieu of the services the bank renders for managing the account of the account holder. The other benefits the bank offers e.g. the interest money that the bank gives to it’s depositors, e-bucks benefits, lounge benefits are all in appreciation for depositing your money with them. Hence just as it is not permissible for one to benefit from interest of the bank that is in cash form, it is not permissible to benefit from the interest of the bank that is in the form of kind or any other benefits (airport lounges, ebucks benefits, etc.).
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)