Visa announced Tuesday that it has launched a flexible payment feature in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, a move that aligns with rising consumer expectations for versatile payment options in a dynamic e-commerce environment.
The new feature, called “flexible credential,” allows users to link multiple funding sources to a single card. Previously available in Asia-Pacific markets like Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, the service provides customers with more control and convenience, according to Visa.
The push for adaptable payment solutions comes as consumers increasingly value the ability to manage transactions from various accounts on one card. A recent Visa study revealed that 51% of card users want to access multiple accounts through a single credential.
“Most people think of their finances on a month-to-month basis. Breaking down the cost of an item helps people with their financial decisions and allows retailers to sell more,” said Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO of personal finance platform WalletHub.
For the U.S. market launch, Visa has partnered with fintech firm Affirm, which has over 1.4 million active cardholders, while in the UAE, it has teamed up with Liv Bank. Visa’s global head of consumer products, Mark Nelsen, noted that the company plans to bring the feature to Europe in the near future.
The collaboration with Affirm signals a trend of increasing partnerships between established financial firms and fintech innovators. Traditionally considered rivals, such alliances enable both types of organizations to tap into emerging revenue opportunities. “It’s a little bit easier for the fintechs to get started on this. But as the ecosystem matures, you’ll see some legacy banks start to take advantage of it as well,” Nelsen said.
Affirm CEO Max Levchin emphasized the benefit of their new offering, which combines debit and credit functionality without hidden or late fees, making it accessible and transparent for users.
