Zip, Sabre Team to Offer Travel Payment Solution

Zip, Sabre Partner on Travel Payment Solution

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) company Zip will be working with Sabre Corporation to help with worldwide integration of BNPL capabilities, according to a press release Wednesday (Dec. 8).

Sabre works with next-generation tech to power travel partners including airlines, hotels, agencies and more. The release says Zip has integrated into Sabre’s Global Distribution System, allowing any global travel partner to accept Zip in any countries it’s available and simplifying the checkout process.

Per the release, this will be a “launchpad” so Zip can get more into the travel industry. The partnership comes as more countries come out of pandemic-induced lockdowns and customers begin traveling more often.

“Sabre is committed to enabling our travel partners to create truly personalized travel experiences, and how and when a traveler is able to pay for their trip is an important part of that personalization,” said Jeff Hayward, senior vice president, product management at Sabre. “That’s why we’re delighted that Zip has chosen to work with Sabre to offer buy now, pay later options at this critical time for travel industry recovery, so that we can provide new payment choices to our airline partners.”

Colin Baines, commercial director at Zip, said the agreement would hopefully help Zip “to be the first payment choice everywhere and every day and working with leaders like Sabre will help us get there sooner.”

Zip recently debuted BNPL functions in the U.K., PYMNTS writes, with a service called Tap and Pay. The idea is to let Zip customers with a digital wallet pay in both a contactless fashion and in installments.

Tap and Pay will be rolled out in several stores including Homebase, The Fragrance Shop, Jollyes and the clothing store Hype, with more to follow in the future.

Per the report, around 20% of UK adults have used BNPL in the last year.

Read more: Zip Debuts In-Store BNPL Payment Option in UK