Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

How Almosafer’s Local Payment Options Make it the Best Flight Booking App for Saudi Travelers

Ever tried booking a flight on an international app only to get stuck at the payment screen? Maybe it doesn’t accept Mada, you can’t figure out how to use your Qitaf points, or the checkout process feels designed for someone living halfway across the world.

If you’ve experienced this frustration, you’re not alone. It highlights something important: for travel-booking apps, local payment options aren’t just “nice to have”, they’re essential for Saudi travellers.

The Digital Payments Revolution in Saudi Arabia

Let’s talk about what’s happening in Saudi Arabia’s payment landscape, because the numbers are impressive. In 2024, 79% of all retail transactions in the Kingdom were electronic, up from 70% in 2023 and just 36% in 2019, according to WhiteSight. That’s not a gradual shift; that’s a digital-payments revolution.

Mada, Saudi Arabia’s national payment card system, processed 8.9 billion transactions in 2024, with e-commerce sales using Mada cards reaching SR197.42 billion (US$52.64 billion), a 25.82% year-on-year increase. E-commerce transactions alone jumped from 170 million in 2020 to 1.12 billion in 2024, according to a report by SAUDI LAWS.

What does all this mean for you as a traveller? Simple: if a flight booking app doesn’t support the payment methods Saudis actually use, it’s already behind the curve.

Why Local Payment Options Matter So Much

Think about your ideal booking experience: you find the right flight at a great price, add it to your cart, head to checkout, and then realise they don’t accept Mada. Or they do, but the interface is clunky and you’re not sure if it went through. Or you realise you could earn Qitaf points on this purchase, but there’s no integration.

These aren’t minor inconveniences; they’re deal-breakers that waste your time and potentially cost you money in lost rewards.

How Almosafer Embraces Saudi Traveler Needs

This is where the difference between a “good” app and a truly local app becomes clear. Almosafer has become a go-to choice for millions of Saudi travellers, with 10 million+ downloads and 200,000+ five-star reviews, not just because it has flights and hotels, but because it speaks the language of your wallet.

Here’s a closer look at how local payment flexibility changes the game, and why it matters for your next trip.

1. The power of Mada: paying without the headache

For years, booking travel online often meant you needed a credit card. If you didn’t have one, or your limit was low, you were stuck. Almosafer changed this by fully integrating Mada for both flights and hotels.

Why it matters: Mada is the card in most Saudi wallets and connects directly to your bank account. By accepting Mada, alongside other local options like Apple Pay and major cards, Almosafer removes the barrier of needing a credit card for travel.

The benefit: It’s seamless, secure, and instant. There are no unexpected “international use” flags from your bank because the transaction is local. You are paying a Saudi company in Saudi Riyals. Simple.

2. Buy now, pay later: a budgeting game-changer

Travel can be expensive, especially for family trips. Global apps usually ask for 100% of the payment upfront. Almosafer offers a smarter alternative through its integration with Tamara and Tabby, so you can split your booking into installments instead.

How it works: You can book your flight or hotel today and pay in scheduled installments rather than in one big amount.

The real win: The instalments are 0% interest, so you can lock in a good fare during a sale and spread the cost over time, without paying extra to your bank or card provider.

3. Your Loyalty Points Are Real Money

Many of us sit on unspent loyalty points from phone bills, bank cards, or airline programmes. One of Almosafer’s big advantages is that it acts as a hub for several major Saudi programmes, not just its own loyalty system. You can earn and redeem loyalty points from programmes like Qitaf, Mokafaa, Alfursan, and Shukran. 

Taking this further, Almosafer recently partnered with Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) to launch the BSF Almosafer Visa Credit Card. This card is a game-changer for frequent travelers, offering up to 20% in Almosafer Points on travel bookings and 5% back on dining and shopping.

The value is transparent: 1 Almosafer Point equals 1 SAR, with no blackout dates for redemptions. Available in Visa Signature and Infinite variants, the card also charges 0% foreign exchange fees on international transactions and waives the annual fee for the first year, ensuring your travel budget goes even further.

4. No Hidden Currency Shocks

When you book on a European or American travel site, the price you see is often an estimate. The final charge depends on your bank’s exchange rate on the day the transaction posts. Because Almosafer is a home-grown Saudi brand, pricing is transparent and in Saudi riyals (SAR).

The Confidence Factor: The price you see at checkout is exactly the amount that will be deducted from your account. There are no hidden FX fees or conversion surprises waiting for you on your bank statement.

5. The “Safety Net” of Physical Payment

This is where Almosafer’s omnichannel approach is a big advantage. If you are struggling to pay via the app, you are not stuck. You can:

• Call the 24/7 call centre in Arabic or English
• Chat quickly on WhatsApp
• Use the website for another payment attempt
• Or visit one of 38 retail branches across Saudi Arabia and one in Kuwait to finalise and pay for your booking in person with a travel advisor.

This gives you a safety net that many international, digital-only apps simply don’t have.

Why Almosafer’s Full Travel Platform Helps

While this article focuses on flights, Almosafer also offers seamless hotel bookings, car rentals, holiday packages, and even activities, all with the same local payment ease and loyalty integrations. With 1.5M+ stays and hundreds of local activity partners, you can plan your whole trip in one place.

For pilgrims heading to Makkah and Madinah, Almosafer’s Mawasim brand provides trusted Hajj and Umrah solutions. Mawasim is an officially licensed, integrated provider for Nusuk and Nusuk Hajj, the government platforms for pilgrimage permits and packages. It supports visa assistance, lodging, and transfers, while permits and e-visas are handled through the Nusuk ecosystem.

Why Almosafer Tops the List

Saudi travellers want an app that truly understands their needs, and that means supporting Mada, integrating loyalty rewards like Qitaf, offering installment payments, and being 100% reliable on security.

Almosafer checks all those boxes with local expertise rooted in the market, a large user base (5 million+ customers), and strong app-store ratings (4.7★ on both iOS and Android).

Whether you’re booking a last-minute business trip, a family holiday, or planning your spiritual journey, Almosafer’s local payment options and full travel ecosystem make it one of the friendliest and most trusted flight-booking apps for Saudi travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What payment methods are commonly accepted for booking flights in Saudi Arabia?

A: Popular options include Mada cards, standard credit/debit cards, and co-branded options like the BSF Almosafer Visa, which offers high-value travel rewards. Other options include Apple Pay and buy now, pay later (BNPL) services.

Q2. How do loyalty programs like Qitaf work with flight bookings?

A: Loyalty programs like Qitaf allow members to earn points on purchases, including flights, and redeem accumulated points for discounts or rewards.​

Q3. Are installment payments available when booking flights?

A: Yes. Services like Tamara and Tabby let you split your flight cost into multiple 0%-interest instalments, a flexible way to budget higher travel expenses.

Q4. Is booking with Mada safer than using international credit cards?

A: Mada payments benefit from Saudi Arabia’s local banking security protocols, making them a trusted domestic payment method.

Disclaimer: Data validated on Dec 2025. All values are subject to real-time changes.