Affirm, a London-based payment network known for its lending provisions, has formed a global partnership with UATP, a global payment network owned and operated by the world's airlines.This collaboration aims to integrate Affirm’s installment payment options into UATP’s network, which includes airlines, rail carriers, and travel agencies across the U.S., U.K., and Canada.​There is growing consumer demand for alternative payment methods in the travel sector. By offering Affirm at checkout, UATP’s merchants can provide customers with the option to split their travel expenses into manageable payments, promising that customers will never incur late or hidden fees.Offering flexible payment options can lead to higher average order values and reduced cart abandonment rates, which appeals to UATP. Additionally, transparent pricing and straightforward eligibility checks can help build trust and loyalty among their customers.​Max Levchin, Founder and CEO of Affirm, commented: “Travel is 10 percent of all global spend - and it can be expensive and stressful. But legacy credit options add to the hassle with hidden costs and complexity. People deserve better, and this partnership with UATP is going to deliver just that: the transparent, flexible payment options Affirm stands for, available as a turn-key option to top travel brands.”​Ralph Kaiser, President and CEO of UATP, added: “Partnering with Affirm will make travel more accessible for customers who prefer to not use traditional credit cards to pay. Customers want more safe alternative payment choices and this will address that need by providing an option that has not been available to them before.”​According to UATP, 44 percent of consumers are inclined to abandon their transaction if their preferred payment method isn’t available, highlighting the importance of offering diverse payment options

Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.Google Wallet expansionsGoogle Wallet is expanding its digital ID capabilities, enabling users in the United Kingdom to add passport-based IDs for age verification, including potential use for alcohol purchases, pending government approval. In the United States, digital ID support extends to Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico and West Virginia, with Transportation Security Administration acceptance at select airports. Google is piloting a privacy-centric age verification method, Zero Knowledge Proof, in apps like Bumble, confirming age without revealing personal data. This technology will be open sourced for broader adoption. These initiatives aim to streamline identity verification while enhancing user privacy and security.SuiteOp, HostfullySuiteOp and Hostfully have announced a strategic integration aimed at simplifying hospitality tech stacks. Hostfully users can now tap into SuiteOp’s operations platform to automate tasks like cleanings, guest check-ins, upsells and smart device control without manual input or third-party tools.The integration bridges reservation data directly into operational workflows, enabling real-time coordination across teams

Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth, announced a new, long-term global partnership with UATP, a global network owned and operated by the world’s airlines. This collaboration integrates Affirm’s flexible and transparent pay-over-time options directly into the UATP network, which includes thousands of leading airlines, rail carriers, and travel agencies. By selecting Affirm, UATP enhances its payment ecosystem and offers its merchants in the U.S., U.K., and Canada seamless access to Affirm’s popular short-term, interest-free installments and flexible, longer-term payment plans – always with no late or hidden fees.More and more travelers are already turning to Affirm to pay for their trips, with the company seeing nearly 40% year-over-year growth in travel and ticketing as of December 31, 2024. Through this partnership, UATP is directly addressing growing consumer demand for Affirm’s flexible payment solutions within the $11 trillion global travel market.“Travel is 10% of all global spend—and it can be expensive and stressful. But legacy credit options add to the hassle with hidden costs and complexity. People deserve better, and this partnership with UATP is going to deliver just that: the transparent, flexible payment options Affirm stands for, available as a turn-key option to top travel brands,” said Max Levchin, Founder and CEO of Affirm