Payment in 3 or even 4 monthly installments for train tickets of 120 euros and more has been available on the SNCF website and mobile application since last August. A method of regulation which has met with some success.
It’s time for the first assessment. Last August, MoneyVox revealed that SNCF now allowed its customers to pay for train tickets in installments. A new service available on the SNCF website and mobile application thanks to its partner Alma, a French specialist in split payments.
As we approach the May 8 and Ascension bridge where the trains will be very full, we asked the railway operator to give us some details on the use of this new payment method which allows you to pay by bank card in three installments for any payment greater than or equal to 120 euros, and in 4 installments from 150 euros.
Older customers
He thus notes that payment in several installments attracts older customers on SNCF Connect (40 years on average) and mainly groups or families…. This method of payment is particularly used during the opening of train ticket sales by carriers. This solution is also seeing greater interest from SNCF Connect customers at the start of the month and at the end of the month.
A solution available for train and bus ticket reservations, in France and Europe, but which comes at a cost.
Anticipate costs
For example, for a purchase of 300 euros paid in 3 monthly installments of 100 euros, the fees are 4.8 euros: or 1.60% of the financing amount collected by Alma when paying the first chance. Another example with a purchase of 400 euros paid in 4 installments. The fees are 9.20 euros, or 2.3% of the financing amount.
Among the elements communicated by SNCF, note the success of Apple Pay, particularly among young customers. It represents 20% of payments for tickets purchased in 2023, whether on the site or the application, a figure that has been continuously increasing since the implementation of this payment solution in August 2022, indicates the SNCF.