In response to the growing demand for alternative methods of online payment, CashU and Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) on Monday announced a new partnership that will allow customers to complete secure transactions on www.rj.com using CashU’s prepaid cards.
Customers can complete the process by simply selecting the CashU icon as a payment method when booking a RJ flight, CashU said. After receiving details of the purchase, the customer will then need to enter a CashU account number and pin code to authorise the payment.
The two companies said that 19% of airline transactions are completed via alternative online payment methods such as prepaid cards, and that this number will increase to 23% by 2015. They also said that 84% of airlines are planning to offer more choice in payment types over the next two years.
“The partnership between CashU and RJ is reflective of the current Middle East market, illustrating the rise in prepaid cards as an alternative payment method,” said Amer Hadidi, President and CEO, Royal Jordanian Airlines.
Hadidi added that having CashU on board will also reduce the chances of last-minute abandoned sales.
CashU’s system allows customers to top up their accounts either electronically or by using plastic CashU prepaid cards, which come with a scratchable pin code and a unique bar code number. The firm claims that people can purchase these cards from six exchange houses in Amman, Jordan.
Martin Waldenstrom, CEO, CashU, said that these kinds of payment methods are becoming essential for big businesses, as customers look for ways to purchase goods and services online without having to dole out credit card numbers.
“Having CashU integrated as a payment method will provide users with access to a whole new category, in which they can use their accounts to make safe and secure online transactions,” he said regarding the RJ agreement. “This indicates the importance of having prepaid online payment options besides the traditional methods available.”