This collaboration will allow the UK-based luxury tour operator to offer instalment payment options, providing customers with an easier and more flexible way to manage travel expenses

The feature is made possible through BR-DGE Connect, which grants real-time access to more than 100 different payment service providers and over 300 alternative payment methods, thus improving transaction efficiency and resilience against outages.

The Visa Instalments solution gives eligible consumers more choice in how they pay online, by enabling holiday goers easy access to instalment payment options with clear repayment schedules shown at checkout – so the cardholder knows what they need to pay and when.

Visa Instalments also uses existing lines of credit by integrating with consumers’ accounts, making it convenient to manage their money without having to open or track other accounts. Research has shown that 75% of consumers said instalments helped them manage unexpected expenses, whilst 40% of merchants have seen an uplift in sales when instalments are offered.

Tom Voaden, head of partnerships at BR-DGE, said: “This announcement is a major step forward in our strategic partnership with Visa, providing Kenwood Travel and their customers with an innovative payment solution.

“We are thrilled to be the first platform to switch on Visa Instalments live with a UK merchant, demonstrating how BR-DGE is enabling our merchants to access the latest payment innovations via BR-DGE Connect.

“Working with Visa, we are excited to offer Kenwood Travel’s customers a first-class payment experience as they book excursions and holidays around the world.”

Mathieu Altwegg, head of product, UK & Ireland, Visa, added: “Partnerships play a vital role in driving innovations that reshape the payments experience.

“Through our strategic partnership with BR-DGE, we are helping businesses like Kenwood Travel to provide their consumers with more choice in how they pay for travel.”

George Koumi, managing director at Kenwood Travel, said: “As the first UK tour operator to introduce ‘Visa Instalments’ in collaboration with Visa and BR-DGE, we at Kenwood Travel are thrilled to offer our customers enhanced flexibility in their online payment experience.

“This innovation allows for convenient instalment options, complete with transparent repayment schedules right at the checkout.

“We’re proud to lead the way in providing holidaymakers with affordability, security, and convenience at every step of their journey.”

This development follows the launch of a three-year partnership agreement between BR-DGE and Visa, a world leader in digital payments, announced earlier this year. The partnership offers innovative payment solutions to merchants and consumers, with further product enablement planned for the future, including tokenisation.