Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and Pay by Bank aren’t just reshaping how consumers pay - they’re redefining expectations around speed, convenience, and value. According to Pay360’s latest Pulse Report, consumers are increasingly opting for alternatives to traditional cards, drawn by lower costs, faster transactions, and greater flexibility.
For brands and fintechs, this shift opens up a huge opportunity: pairing these payment innovations with instant, digital rewards that keep customers coming back.
Why alternative payments are winning
BNPL gives customers immediate access to what they want while spreading out payments. Pay by Bank offers low-cost, secure, account-to-account transactions without card rails. Both provide a faster, more seamless checkout experience.
And as Pay360’s latest Pulse Report notes, these alternatives are no longer niche—they’re rapidly becoming part of the mainstream payment mix. This evolution is creating a new competitive landscape where speed, simplicity, and user experience are king.
The reward connection
Here’s where it gets interesting: customers who choose BNPL or Pay by Bank are already engaging with innovative payment experiences. They’re primed to value speed and convenience. Pairing their transaction with an instant digital reward takes that satisfaction to the next level.
Imagine:
- A customer pays via Pay by Bank and instantly receives a £10 digital gift card from their favourite retailer.
- A first-time BNPL shopper gets a digital voucher moments after completing their order, ready to spend on their next purchase.
In each case, the reward reinforces the positive experience, drives loyalty, and increases the likelihood of repeat use.
Timing is everything
Rewards work best when they’re immediate. Wait days or weeks, and the emotional impact fades. Deliver them instantly, and you connect the action with the benefit in a way that sticks.
That’s why instant digital gift cards are the perfect match for BNPL and Pay by Bank. They mirror the speed of the payment and keep the momentum going.
How Tillo makes it happen
Tillo’s award-winning API and StoreFront solutions let you deliver digital gift cards instantly from a network of over 3,000 global brands. With multi-currency options and seamless wallet integration, you can:
- Reward instantly - at the exact moment the customer completes the transaction.
- Delight globally - serve rewards in multiple currencies for cross-border campaigns.
- Integrate easily - plug Tillo into your existing BNPL or Pay by Bank flows without complex development.
Our partners in fintech and loyalty are already using Tillo to turn every payment - no matter the method - into a moment that strengthens the customer relationship.
The takeaway
BNPL and Pay by Bank are setting a new standard for speed and customer experience in payments. If your rewards don’t keep up, you risk being left behind.
Instant digital gift cards close the gap, delivering value when it matters most. And with Tillo, it’s never been easier to match the speed of your rewards to the pace of modern payments.
Add the power of instant rewards to your payment experience - start today with Tillo.
