Wero: a fast, flexible and future-ready new payment option for travellers

Wero: a fast, flexible and future-ready new payment option for travellers 

Wero offers airlines and OTAs an easy-to-integrate, pan-European alternative payment option providing immediate access to over 40 million bank customers

For airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs), payments are often both an enabler of sales and a persistent source of cost and complexity. Cards have long been the dominant payment method for travel, but they come with high fees, intricate chargeback processes, and habitual yet bulky UX. The arrival of Wero, a new pan-European account-to-account (A2A) payment solution, offers the travel industry a meaningful alternative – one that supports cost-efficiency, trust, and customer choice, as well as immediate access to more than 40 million bank customers.

A credible alternative to cards

A growing segment of travellers, especially younger generations, value a great payment experience. They are moving away from credit cards and towards real-time, mobile-first payments. Wero meets this demand by providing a trusted, bank-based method that feels safe, instant, and user-friendly. It enables customers to pay directly from their bank accounts through a secure, app-based flow that fits naturally into the digital travel experience.

Wero is based on instant bank transfer technology with built-in buyer protection, and gives European businesses a sovereign payment solution which promises to unlock widespread payment acceptance across Europe.

For airlines and OTAs Wero offers the advantage of being able to roll out an alternative payment method seamlessly across multiple European markets at the same time. By embracing Wero now, airlines and OTAs can position their businesses as a partner in this fundamental shift toward independent, trusted European payments.

Improving experience and reducing friction

When it comes to travel, timing and convenience are key. Wero supports fast, frictionless payments for extras such as seat upgrades, additional bags, or on-board services – all directly from a smartphone during check-in or on the move. The user experience is on a par with that of Apple Pay or Google Pay, but without the dependency on cards.

For airlines and OTAs, this translates into smoother transactions, fewer abandoned bookings, and greater flexibility in offering payment options that align with local consumer preferences across Europe.

Reducing costs and risk

Wero also addresses one of the biggest pain points for airlines and OTAs: card scheme costs. Higher-tier credit cards, often linked to loyalty programs, carry elevated interchange fees that are absorbed by the enterprise. By offering an A2A alternative, airlines and OTAs can mitigate these costs and improve enterprises’ payment mix economics.

Wero also reduces fraud exposure, since transactions are authenticated through the customer’s own bank. Refunds and settlements are likely to be faster, especially as the solution matures, helping both cash-flow management and customer satisfaction.

Simple integration through Worldline

For airlines and OTAs already connected to Worldline, adding Wero involves minimal effort. The payment method uses the same APIs, reporting tools, and dashboards that support other Worldline integrations. This unified approach simplifies maintenance, reconciliation, and refund handling.

It also enables deeper insight. Through a single performance environment, Worldline can help merchants benchmark uptake and optimise payment mix strategies across multiple markets.

Ready for take-off

Wero is set to expand across Europe, with new markets scheduled to join over the coming years. The roadmap includes advanced features such as two-step transactions (similar to authorise-and-capture), giving airlines more flexibility when finalising fares or ancillary services.

For an industry juggling thin margins, evolving consumer habits, and the need for trusted digital experiences, Wero is more than just another payment option; it is a strategic tool for improving profitability, enhancing resilience, and aligning with Europe’s transition toward real-time, account-based payments.

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