Payment in installments is part of consumer habits for high-value baskets, and the online travel sector is no exception to this expectation. However, the reality of split payments on Opodo has evolved significantly in recent years. What are the actual options available, the accepted payment methods, and the alternatives to lighten the cost of a booking?
Split payment on Opodo: what has changed since the Opodo card
Before detailing the current payment methods, it’s important to revisit a turning point that is often overlooked. The Opodo card, which once allowed users to pay for a plane ticket in several installments, was discontinued in November 2017. This split payment option has never been reintroduced in this form.
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Since that date, Opodo has shifted its commercial strategy towards another lever: the Opodo Prime subscription program. The goal is no longer to offer payment installments, but to make travel more accessible through recurring discounts on flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals.
To fully understand the terms of split payment on Opodo, it is essential to distinguish what existed before 2017 and what is offered today, as confusion persists in many search results.
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Accepted payment methods by Opodo online
Opodo requires full payment at the time of booking. No installment payment options are available directly on the platform, whether for a flight, hotel, or travel package.
The platform has also not integrated any Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) partners (like Klarna, Alma, or Oney) into its purchasing funnel. Payment is made via a debit or credit card accepted on the site.
| Criteria | Opodo (current situation) | OTA with integrated BNPL |
|---|---|---|
| Native split payment | Not available | Yes (3 or 4 installments) |
| BNPL partner (Klarna, Alma, etc.) | Not integrated | Integrated into the purchasing funnel |
| Standard credit card | Accepted | Accepted |
| Discount via subscription | Opodo Prime | Variable depending on the platform |
| One-time payment | Mandatory | Optional if BNPL is activated |
This table highlights a clear gap between Opodo and certain online travel agencies that have adopted third-party financing solutions. Opodo’s strategy focuses on reducing the amount rather than spreading the cost.
Opodo Prime: discount on the amount rather than consumer credit
The Opodo Prime program operates on an annual subscription of 54.99 euros for 12 months. It provides access to discounts on every flight, hotel, train, or car rental booking, starting from the first purchase.
Opodo claims more than 7 million Prime members. The program includes a best price guarantee: if the customer finds a cheaper flight or hotel elsewhere, Opodo refunds twice the difference.
To illustrate the type of savings possible, here is an example from the Opodo site for a round trip Paris-Lisbon:
- Flight without Prime: 149 euros, with Prime: 113 euros (a savings of 36 euros)
- Hotel without Prime: 458 euros, with Prime: 389 euros (a savings of 69 euros)
- Car rental without Prime: 90 euros, with Prime: 80 euros (a savings of 10 euros)
On this type of basket, the total savings reach 115 euros, which far exceeds the cost of the annual subscription. The calculation remains to be done on a case-by-case basis depending on travel frequency and chosen destinations.
Renewal and cancellation of Prime
The subscription automatically renews each year. To cancel, simply go to the “My Prime Account” section on the site or in the Profile tab of the app. The cancellation must occur before the renewal date to avoid a new charge.
External solutions to pay for an Opodo trip in installments
The absence of split payment on Opodo does not close off all possibilities for installment payments. Several external mechanisms exist, each with its own constraints.
- Deferred debit credit card: the total amount is charged at the end of the month, which delays payment without splitting it
- Payment facility offered by the customer’s bank: some banks allow transforming a card purchase into monthly payments, subject to fees (often an interest rate applied to the amount)
- Consumer credit dedicated to travel: financing organizations offer loans specifically for travel, independent of the booking platform
These solutions do not depend on Opodo and involve an additional cost in the form of interest or processing fees. The total cost of the trip increases proportionally to the duration of the installment plan.
Check eligibility before booking
Before relying on a bank payment facility, it is advisable to contact your bank to check eligibility conditions. Not all cards allow the transformation of a purchase into monthly payments, and limits vary by institution.
Split payment on Opodo belongs to a bygone era since the discontinuation of the Opodo card at the end of 2017. The platform now focuses its offer on discounts via the Prime subscription and a one-time payment by credit card. To split the cost of a trip booked on Opodo, the only option today is through external banking or credit solutions.