Navigating payment options on flight booking platforms can be challenging, especially when booking international travel. AviaSales, one of Russia’s most popular flight search engines, offers several payment methods, but understanding how to use them effectively is key. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every available payment option, how to pay with foreign cards, and what to do if you encounter payment issues.

Available Payment Methods on AviaSales

AviaSales provides several convenient ways to pay for your tickets:

1. Bank Cards (Most Common)

• Visa and Mastercard – Widely accepted by most partner agencies
• МИР (Mir) – Russia’s national payment system card
• Both debit and credit cards are typically accepted

2. SBP (Fast Payment System)

• Pay via QR code scan
• Direct bank transfer without card details
• Available through participating Russian banks

3. ЮMoney (Formerly Yandex.Money)

• Russia’s popular e-wallet service
• Only available with certain partner agencies
• Quick and secure digital payments

4. Foreign Bank Cards

• Limited availability depending on the partner agency
• Requires specific search settings (see below)
• May involve additional verification steps

Can You Pay with Foreign Cards?

Short answer: Not directly through AviaSales, but yes through certain partner agencies.

Here’s the detailed explanation and how-to:

How to Find Tickets That Accept Foreign Cards

1. Adjust Your Profile Settings:

• Go to your profile settings
• Find the “Regional” section
• Under “Payment Methods,” select “Russian and foreign cards”

1. Identify Compatible Partners:

• Look for partner agencies marked with:
  • “Оплата любой картой” (Payment with any card)
  • “Оплата зарубежной картой” (Payment with foreign card)

1. The Booking Process:

• When you find your ideal flight, click “Buy” with a compatible partner
• You’ll be redirected to the partner’s website
• Enter your foreign card details on their secure payment page
• Complete the transaction

Important Considerations for Foreign Card Payments

Geographic Restrictions: Some sellers may decline payments if your card was issued in one country but you’re booking from another. This security measure helps prevent fraud but can be inconvenient for legitimate travelers.

Verification Process: If the seller flags your transaction as suspicious, they may:

• Contact you directly
• Request documents verifying your identity
• Ask for proof that you’re the legitimate cardholder
• Once verified, they’ll approve the payment and issue your ticket
• If verification fails, they’ll cancel the order and refund your money

If Your Payment Fails: Try using a different card. Some international banks are more restrictive than others about cross-border transactions.

Troubleshooting Payment Issues

If You Don’t Receive SMS Confirmation Codes

SMS delivery failures can happen for several reasons:

Common Causes:

• Weak mobile network signal
• Airplane mode enabled on your device
• Mobile operator or security app blocking SMS
• Temporary service delays

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Basic Fixes:

• Restart your phone
• Check if airplane mode is off
• Verify mobile signal strength

1. SIM Card Solutions:

• Try a different SIM slot (if your phone supports dual SIM)
• Test with another device
• Check if service SMS are blocked in your settings

1. Wait and Check:

• SMS can sometimes be delayed by several minutes
• Check your spam/SMS filtering apps

1. Alternative Approaches:

• Go back and choose a different payment method
• Try a card from another bank
• Contact the seller’s support directly

What to Do If Your Payment Isn’t Processing

1. Check Your Card:

• Ensure sufficient funds/credit
• Verify international transactions are enabled
• Check with your bank about any blocks

1. Seller Communication:

• The seller handles all payment processing
• Their contact information appears during checkout
• They can provide specific reasons for declines

After Payment: What to Expect

Successful Payment

• You’ll receive an e-ticket/itinerary via email
• Check your spam folder – tickets sometimes land there
• Save both the ticket and payment confirmation
• The seller’s contact info will be on your ticket for any changes

Failed or Pending Payments

• 30-minute window: Unpaid orders automatically cancel after 30 minutes
• No charges: Your card won’t be charged if payment doesn’t complete
• Refunds: If money was temporarily held, it typically returns within 3-10 business days

If You Paid But Didn’t Receive a Ticket

1. First step: Contact the seller directly using the contact information from your booking form
2. Check your email: Search all folders including spam
3. Have ready: Your booking reference and payment confirmation
4. Allow time: Some tickets take up to 24 hours to deliver during peak times

Best Practices for Smooth Payments

Before Booking

1. Update AviaSales settings to show foreign card options
2. Contact your bank to inform them of international travel purchases
3. Have multiple payment methods ready as backup

During Booking

1. Choose marked partners (“Оплата любой картой” or “Оплата зарубежной картой”)
2. Use cards from major international banks for better acceptance
3. Keep your phone nearby for SMS verification

After Booking

1. Save all confirmations – payment and ticket
2. Check spam folders immediately
3. Contact within 24 hours if ticket doesn’t arrive

Special Considerations for International Travelers

Currency Conversion

• Most partners charge in local currency (rubles)
• Your bank handles currency conversion
• Check conversion rates and fees with your bank
• Consider cards with no foreign transaction fees

Security Measures

• Expect verification requests for large purchases
• Have identification documents ready
• Use secure internet connections for payments
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for financial transactions

Time Zone Considerations

• Russian partners operate on Moscow Time (UTC+3)
• Support may not be available 24/7 in your time zone
• Plan purchases during Russian business hours if you anticipate needing support

Final Tips for Successful AviaSales Payments

1. Patience is key – International payments take extra verification
2. Communication matters – Respond promptly if sellers contact you
3. Document everything – Save emails, confirmations, and chat logs
4. Know your seller – Research partner agency reviews before booking
5. Have a backup plan – Consider alternative flights or dates if payment issues persist

Remember: While AviaSales aggregates flight options, actual payments are processed by their partner agencies. Each partner has slightly different policies, acceptance criteria, and support procedures. When in doubt, contact the specific seller directly – their information is always provided during the booking process.

By understanding these payment options and preparing accordingly, you can book your flights on AviaSales with confidence, whether you’re using a local Russian card or an international banking card from abroad.

Travel tip: Always book with sufficient lead time to resolve any payment issues that may arise. For time-sensitive travel, consider more flexible payment options or have backup flights in mind.