Passenger Payment Preferences: Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia
Payment methods for airline tickets and other tourist products vary from country to country, but cards and digital payments are increasingly present. Here's how things stand in Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia.
Croatia: Card payments, but cash isn't disappearing
Croatians most often pay for airline tickets with credit and debit cards, primarily Visa and Mastercard. Digital wallets like PayPal are becoming increasingly popular – used by more than a third of online shoppers. Although trust in card and digital payments is growing, many still use cash, especially when buying other types of products. For e-commerce, cash on delivery and bank transfers are still common (46% of customers preferred cash on delivery in 2022), but this is not a common option for airline tickets as they are generally paid for in advance. Instalment payment plans are also popular, making it easier to purchase more expensive trips.
Slovenia: Cards Dominate, but Cash Holds a Share of the Market
Slovenes are inclined towards card payments – Visa and Mastercard are accepted in almost all online shops (94.6% in 2023). Cards are particularly popular for larger purchases such as airline tickets. However, cash on delivery is still prevalent – offered by as many as 76% of Slovenian e-commerce stores. Digital wallets are on the rise, with PayPal available in around 59% of stores. A generational divide is noticeable: older consumers tend to stick to cash, while younger people are switching to cards and mobile payments.
Serbia: Cash still dominant, but digital payments are growing
In Serbia, cash remains dominant – around 60 per cent of online shoppers opt for cash on delivery. This is also reflected in the purchase of airline tickets: many passengers without cards buy tickets through agencies or airline offices, where they can pay in cash or by bank transfer. Although card payments are growing, they are still less developed than in neighbouring countries. In addition to Visa and Mastercard, the national DinaCard is also used in Serbia, which is accepted by Air Serbia. Digital wallets such as PayPal are present but less popular than in Croatia and Slovenia.
Key differences and similarities
- Cards are the most common way to pay for plane tickets. across all three countries, with Visa and Mastercard being universally accepted.
- Serbia relies most on cash, while Croatia and Slovenia have moved more towards cards and digital wallets.
- Installment payments it is popular in Croatia and Slovenia, while card payments have not yet become fully established in Serbia.
- The use of digital wallets is growing, While PayPal and mobile payments are widely accepted in Slovenia and Croatia, they are still less common in Serbia.
Local payment systems and trends
Each country also has specific payment systems:
- Croatia Payment processors like WSPay, T-Com PayWay and Corvus are popular, while mobile wallets like Keks Pay and Aircash are gaining traction. Croatia Airlines recently began offering Keks Pay as a payment option.
- Slovenia Slovenians use local cards Activa, BA, and Karanta, and Apple Pay and Google Pay are available through most banks.
- Serbia DinaCard is a national card, and the Instant Payment System (IPS) enables fast payments via QR codes and mobile banking applications. Apple Pay and Google Pay are only in the expansion phase.
Trends:
- Contactless payments and mobile wallets becoming standard in Croatia and Slovenia.
- Buy Now, Pay Later it is becoming increasingly popular, and fintech solutions such as Slovenia's Leanpay are attracting more and more users.
- Fast bank payments The SEPA Instant payment systems in Croatia and Slovenia and the IPS system in Serbia facilitate transactions.
All three countries are gradually transitioning to digital payments, but differences remain. Croatia and Slovenia are leading in card and mobile payments, while Serbia still prefers cash, although trends are changing. With the increasing availability of digital solutions, travellers in the region have more options for securely and quickly paying for airline tickets.
