Amadeus and UnionPay simplify airlines’ card acceptance

Native UnionPay acceptance rolls out H1 2026

Outpayce, Amadeus’s payments subsidiary, has partnered with UnionPay International, a brand of China UnionPay and one of the world’s largest card networks, to build native UnionPay card acceptance into airline payment flows. The move covers direct online sales and bookings initiated via travel sellers connected to the Amadeus Travel Platform. When a traveller chooses to pay with a UnionPay card, the flow can switch to direct settlement with the carrier, even when the purchase is made through an intermediary. The partners say the aim is to unify the experience across channels and standardise acceptance of a key Asia-Pacific network.

Acceptance is underpinned by Outpayce’s Xchange Payment Platform (XPP). The gateway enables direct processing by the airline, with potential to lift acceptance rates through greater control over fraud, authentication and foreign exchange. The Amadeus Travel Platform connects providers across air, hotel, car rental and rail to more than 60,000 sellers, and orchestrates pass-through to direct payment with the provider when a buyer uses a UnionPay card.

"We are committed to enabling a smooth payment experience in every channel however the traveler chooses to pay. Our payment platform approach means travelers can pay with the method of their choice in a way that's easy and trusted. Airlines can now offer the same payments experience to UnionPay cardholders whether they are shopping via Amadeus travel sellers or in their own direct channels, maximizing investments in payments and improving the overall experience," said Damian Alonso, Head of Product and Partnerships, Outpayce.

For airlines, the change is designed to accelerate access to funds — improving cash flow — regain control of the payments experience in indirect sales, and better address Asian demand. UnionPay cards are issued in 85 countries and regions and accepted in 183 markets, making the scheme a significant payment method for Asia-Pacific travellers.

According to ResearchAndMarkets, the market is growing at a compound annual rate of 13.5% and could reach $386 billion by 2033. Native acceptance of UnionPay cards via XPP is expected in the first half of 2026, followed by a gradual rollout across markets during the year within the Amadeus Travel Platform. UnionPay International says it works with more than 2,600 partners worldwide and has issued over 8 billion cards.