TAP Air Portugal Now Accepts UnionPay Cards as Part of New Partnership

TAP Air Portugal Embraces UnionPay Payments

In a significant development for air travelers, TAP Air Portugal has announced a new partnership with UnionPay International, a leading global payment service provider. This collaboration will allow customers to utilize UnionPay credit, debit, and prepaid cards for their airline transactions across various platforms. This initiative, which went into effect on September 30, 2025, marks a vital step for TAP Air Portugal in enhancing payment accessibility for its customers.

The Details of the Partnership

UnionPay's acceptance will expand to TAP's official website, mobile app, and physical ticket offices. This means that over 16 million passengers who fly with TAP Air Portugal will now be able to conveniently and securely purchase their tickets and services using UnionPay cards.

This partnership is not just beneficial for individual travelers but also for companies and travel agencies that utilize UnionPay. With this integration, TAP can provide a smoother booking experience, appealing to the vast customer base that prefers using UnionPay, especially among travelers from Asia-Pacific regions, including China.

Gonçalo Pires, Chief Financial Officer of TAP Air Portugal, commented on the development, stating, "UnionPay is one of the largest and most robust payment networks globally, and this partnership naturally aligns with TAP's strategy to offer convenient payment methods in key global markets. By accepting UnionPay payments, we enhance customer convenience, security, and simplicity for our clients in China, Europe, Brazil, the United States, and Africa, thus improving the overall customer experience."

Expanding Market Reach

The addition of UnionPay as a payment option not only underscores TAP's commitment to improving customer service but also its strategic focus on growth. This partnership aims to broaden payment accessibility for hundreds of millions of UnionPay cardholders in the Asia-Pacific region, thus facilitating easier transactions not just in Europe but also in critical markets like South America and Africa.

Larry Wang, CEO of UnionPay International, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "We are thrilled to collaborate with TAP Air Portugal, a leading European airline with a strong global presence. This cooperation will offer UnionPay cardholders enhanced convenience and flexibility when booking and paying for flights, while supporting TAP's sales growth in the Asian market. Together, we are making international travel easier and more predictable for travelers across the globe."

A Digital Future

The partnership aligns perfectly with TAP’s digital strategy, as it seeks to innovate and enhance the customer journey. By facilitating online ticket purchases with added security, TAP demonstrates its commitment to providing a customer-centric flight experience.

As the travel industry continues to rebound and evolve post-pandemic, such partnerships are vital in making international travel more accessible and user-friendly, responding to market demands effectively. With seamless payment options like UnionPay, TAP Air Portugal is set to enhance its operational capabilities and customer satisfaction significantly.

In conclusion, the collaboration between TAP Air Portugal and UnionPay International signifies a noteworthy advancement in airline payment processing and customer service enhancement. This initiative is expected not just to streamline flight bookings, but also to cater to the diverse payment preferences of global travelers, embodying the future of air travel commerce.

This partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances in the travel sector can uplift service offerings, making air travel more attractive and accessible in an increasingly interconnected world.