SHANGHAI - According to ResearchAndMarkets' recent forecasts, Chinese outbound travel is predicted to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.5%, increasing from $140B today to reach $386B by 2033. UnionPay International helps cardholders to easily make cross-border payments in 183 markets and its payment methods are particularly popular with travelers across Asia Pacific. That's why being able to directly accept UnionPay cards is crucial for airlines serving travelers from the 85 countries and regions where UnionPay cards are issued.

Under the terms of a new partnership between Outpayce from Amadeus and UnionPay International, airlines that power online payments in their direct channels with Outpayce's Xchange Payments Platform can natively accept UnionPay cards in the standardized way. This native acceptance secures more revenue for airlines while improving the payment experience for travelers by drastically increasing acceptance rates.

The Amadeus Travel Platform is a comprehensive marketplace connecting travel providers like airlines, hotels, car rentals and rail operators to more than 60,000 travel sellers so they can combine and retail attractive offers. Thanks to the new partnership, travelers wishing to pay with a UnionPay card can be passed through to the provider to pay directly when making a booking.

The new approach means travelers can access the same payments experience as an airline offers on its website, including access to loyalty benefits that depend on making payment directly with the airline.

By directly processing the payment, airlines improve cash flow by accessing funds faster and can also take control of the payments experience for indirect bookings. By applying their own approach to issues like fraud management, airlines can improve acceptance rates and deliver a better overall experience.

Bomme Sheng, Global Director of UnionPay International said: "UnionPay has established a solid presence in the airline payment vertical. By deepening cooperation with Amadeus, UnionPay cards will be fully integrated into the underlying technology of airline distribution, covering websites, and indirect channels. This will further refine UnionPay's air travel payment ecosystem and promote the industry to upgrade towards greater efficiency and diversity."

Damian Alonso, Head of Product and Partnerships, Outpayce said: "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."

The addition of card acceptance for UnionPay means that travelers can pay travel providers directly with all major card schemes when their booking is completed via the Amadeus Travel Platform. Native acceptance of UnionPay cards via the Outpayce Exchange Payments Platform is expected to be enabled in H1 2026 and will be enabled gradually across different markets throughout 2026 within the Amadeus Travel Platform.