LIFT expands flight payment options with Apple Pay, Google Pay and cryptocurrency

From digital wallets to crypto, LIFT is changing how South Africans pay for flights as consumer demand for faster and more flexible payment solutions grows.

Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers.

South African airline LIFT has expanded its digital offering by introducing Apple Pay, Google Pay and cryptocurrency payments, giving travellers more flexibility when booking flights online.

The airline has become the first South African carrier to offer both Apple Pay and Google Pay directly through its website across mobile and desktop platforms, while also introducing cryptocurrency payments through Ozow.

The move forms part of LIFT’s broader strategy to simplify the travel experience by offering customers more choice in how they pay.

Cilliers Jordaan, Chief Commercial Officer at LIFT, said changing consumer payment habits were driving the expansion.

“Our research showed that South Africans are quickly adapting to various payment methods for their purchases, favouring speed and security when making payments, while embracing digital wallets,” Jordaan said.

“The strong adoption of our LIFT Wallet demonstrated early on that our customers value convenience, flexibility and control when booking their travel. Expanding our payment ecosystem was a natural next step for us.”

The airline’s updated payment ecosystem allows customers to choose from a range of options including debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cryptocurrency through Ozow, payment plans through RCS and PayU, Mobicred financing, or 1Voucher.

The expansion comes as digital payment adoption continues to increase locally and globally, with consumers increasingly seeking faster and more secure ways to complete online transactions.

According to the Visa and Discovery Bank SpendTrend25 South African Consumer Survey, 45% of surveyed South Africans use virtual cards, highlighting growing interest in digital payment solutions.

Cryptocurrency adoption has also continued to grow in South Africa. The Financial Stability Report recorded that crypto users reached nearly 7.8 million in the country by July 2025.

LIFT said the introduction of cryptocurrency payments reflects the changing ways consumers interact with financial technology.

The airline previously introduced the LIFT Wallet, flexible bookings and simplified flight changes as part of its focus on improving customer convenience.

Jordaan said the latest payment expansion builds on those digital initiatives.

“This is just another way we continue to elevate the travel experience for our customers,” Jordaan said.

“First, we offered our LIFT Wallet, flexible bookings and easy flight changes, now we’re making the payment process that much easier.”

“Whether our travellers prefer cards, digital wallets, cryptocurrency or other payment solutions, we're committed to giving them the flexibility to choose how they want to pay for their flights,” he said.

The move reflects a wider shift in the travel industry, where airlines are increasingly investing in digital tools to improve booking journeys and respond to changing customer expectations.

For LIFT, expanding payment options represents another step towards creating a more flexible and technology driven travel experience for South African passengers.

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