Merchants’ Evolving Perspective on the Value of Card-Linked Pay Later Plans

Merchants’ Evolving Perspective on the Value of Card-Linked Pay Later Plans

Last updated July 2024

Our latest report in conjunction with PYMNTS “Merchants’ Evolving Perspective on the Value of Card-Linked Pay Later Plans”, reveals that consumers spend twice as much when using credit card-linked installments compared to traditional BNPL. Nearly 90% of merchants see these installments as key to boosting customer acquisition and retention.

Demand for card-linked installments is growing as it caters to customers who may not need new credit but value a faster checkout process—a segment largely ignored by traditional BNPL. Merchants also appreciate that keeping installments on an existing card simplifies returns and other back-office processes.

Other Report Highlights:

72% of merchants rate card-linked installments as their top choice.

Consumers typically spend over twice as much on retail items when using card-linked installment plans compared to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options.

Over 1/3 of merchants believe their customers are very or extremely likely to switch to retailers that offer card-linked pay later plans, a sentiment that has risen 164% since December 2023.

82% of merchants confirm an increase in card-linked installments for in-store purchases over the past twelve months, compared to 67% reporting an increase in BNPL use in-store during the same period.

53% of merchants believe that consumers would purchase higher-priced items or services if they were aware of card-linked installment options prior to checkout.

Discover how card-linked options are revolutionizing the pay-later landscape and why they are fast becoming the preferred choice for consumers and merchants. Read more about these insights and get the full report here!

Get the full report

Latest blog posts

What Consumers Actually Want in a BNPL Provider What Consumers Actually Want in a BNPL Provider
The buy now pay later (BNPL) landscape has transformed dramatically over the past few years, with installment payments becoming a standard expectation at checkout. As businesses evaluate the buy now pay later options for their customers, understanding consumer preferences isn’t just helpful but essential for choosing the right solution that drives conversions and builds loyalty. […]
The Samsung Wallet Revolution: Your In-Store Sales Just Got a Major Upgrade The Samsung Wallet Revolution: Your In-Store Sales Just Got a Major Upgrade
Starting July 25th, 2025, something historic happened in American retail. For the first time ever, in-store card-linked installment payments became available at scale through Samsung Wallet. If you’re accepting Samsung Pay in your store, you just gained access to a powerful sales tool that could transform your business overnight. The question is: are you ready […]
How Payment Stress Affects Patient Outcomes How Payment Stress Affects Patient Outcomes
What if the biggest barrier to your patients’ recovery isn’t medical—it’s financial? There’s a growing understanding of the connection between healthcare affordability and patient outcomes: when patients struggle with medical debt and payment anxiety, their physical healing can slow, treatment compliance drops, and overall health deteriorates. For healthcare professionals focused on delivering exceptional patient care, […]