KLARNA has revealed a major change to its famous buy now, pay later scheme.

From today, British and American Apple users can use the savvy AI-powered shopping tool through Apple Pay when placing an order.

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Customers can check out with Apple Pay online and through apps if they have iPhones with iOS 18 or later or iPads with iPadOS 18 or later.

Shoppers will have access to Klarna’s flexible payment offerings, including pay later in three or four instalments with no interest or over longer periods with APRs starting at 0%.

Klarna is set to launch the same feature in Canada within the next few months as part of a global expansion.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Co-founder and CEO of Klarna, said: “Consumers around the world have been asking for Klarna on Apple Pay, so I’m super proud to let them know it’s here!

“Our fair, flexible and interest-free payments options are now even easier to use at your favourite merchants when checking out on Apple Pay online and in apps in the US, UK, and soon Canada. 

“This is a big step toward our mission to offer consumers Klarna at every checkout.”

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, added: “We’re excited to give users in the US and UK more choice in how they pay with the addition of Klarna’s flexible payment options right at checkout on Apple Pay.

“With this rollout, users have the option to pay for purchases over time, and they get to enjoy the seamless and secure experience of Apple Pay that they already know and love.”

The new integration hopes to make flexible payment options more accessible so Klarna purchases can be made directly on an iPhone or iPad, in app and online with Apple Pay.

All eligible users need to do is select Other Cards & Pay Later Options when they check out on Apple Pay with an iPhone or iPad.

Then they must select Klarna to access the Klarna products that are available to them.

Once they agree to the terms, they can double click the side button and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID to confirm their purchase.

Before approving the purchase, Klarna will make a new lending decision, using its industry-leading underwriting checks.

This decision will not impact a customers’ credit score.

With this handy integration, users can enjoy all the privacy and security features they love about Apple Pay.

As with all Apple Pay purchases, when a user pays with Klarna, Apple does not keep a record of a user’s transaction history.

Klarna clarifies that loans are not offered by Apple and the feature may not be available for all types of purchases, such as subscriptions and recurring transactions.

And while it’s available with Apple Pay online and in apps, via suitable iPhones or iPads, it is not available in-store.

Since last month, US-based customers have been able to purchase Apple products using flexible payment options on Klarna.com and Apple from Klarna, a storefront in the Klarna app.

With 85 million active consumers, Klarna is the biggest global buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider in the world.

Earlier today we revealed that changes to BNPL rules to protect shoppers are set to kick in within months under major new plans by the government.

The new Labour government has confirmed that it intends to legislate to bring the BNPL sector under the City watchdog’s rule by early 2025.

This would mean the regulation would come into effect in early 2026.

Proposals to regulate BNPL products were first touted in 2021, but have been repeatedly delayed.

We revealed earlier this year that the previous government had shelved the plans over fears that it would drive BNPL firms out of the market during a cost of living crisis.

But the lack of regulation around BNPL is bad news for shoppers as it means these firms don’t have to follow the same rules as major credit lenders and customers aren’t protected if things go wrong.

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• Citizens Advice – 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
• StepChange – 0800138 1111
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• Debt Advice Foundation – 0800 043 4050

You can also find information about Debt Management Plans (DMP) and Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVA) by visiting MoneyHelper.org.uk or Gov.UK.

Speak to one of these organisations – don’t be tempted to use a claims management firm.

They say they can write off lots of your debt in return for a large upfront fee.

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Jimmy Dolan is finally getting credit as a visionary. The problem, however, is that artists are not always great at turning excellence into profits. Dolan, son of Cablevision founder Charles Dolan, is behind the Sphere, an orb-shaped arena in Las Vegas composed of a video screen shell. The Sphere cost $2.3bn to construct. It opened last year with an acclaimed U2 residency. But for its recently completed fiscal year, it still lost $500mn on revenue of $500mn.

That is not so bad for a venue still finding its footing and that wants to establish more locations around the world. But the other half of its listed parent, Sphere Entertainment, is in trouble. Madison Square Garden Networks, the pay-TV channel that broadcasts the games of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers (separately owned by Dolan), is suffering from the ills facing traditional television networks.

An $850mn loan maturity has hit this month. Sphere last week said it was negotiating with JPMorgan Chase and other lenders — whose only collateral is strictly MSG Networks, not the broader Sphere corporation — over terms of what the company described as a “workout”. The lenders could take a haircut while some combination of MSG Networks, Sphere, Dolan and outside investors cash out the remaining debts. The Knicks are primed for their best season in a generation and the aesthetic triumph of Sphere is well-earned by Dolan. Now he needs to make the maths work.

Dolan has two other public companies, one that owns his sports teams and another which produces live entertainment at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall.

But Sphere itself has a market cap of just $1.6bn with total group debt of also $1.6bn and nearly $600mn of cash. Against the MSG subsidiary’s $850mn of debt, the TV business generated just $140mn in 2024 operating profit. Dolan has complained that the record-setting 11-year, $76bn TV contract that the National Basketball Association just signed has hurt local broadcasters such as his.

Given its plans for global expansion, Sphere’s hope is that the Vegas venue can attract enough lucrative traffic through concerts and in-house immersive experiences to fill the space most nights. This week it announced a deal to license its IP to developers in Abu Dhabi, who will pay for the construction and buildout themselves.

But Las Vegas traffic has been lighter than expected, noted Morgan Stanley analysts. The venue could, they reckon, generate $300mn of standalone annual cash flow in five years. Nearly $1mn a day is impressive but would only cover operating and creative expenses.

With Sphere’s financial hurdles, Dolan’s architectural artistry may need to be enough to persuade global investors to write checks in tribute.

sujeet.indap@ft.com

EUROSTAR has brought back its half-price ticket scheme – the first time in five years.

The train operator’s Snap lets passengers book tickets that are up to 50 per cent off, when booking last minute.

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First launched in 2016, it was suspended in 2019.

Passengers can now choose a travel destination and date that they want to book, although not the time.

Bookings can include up to three friends, and can be up to two weeks in advance when travelling from London.

Travellers are then notified 48 hours before departure if this has been confirmed for the discounted rate.

Destinations for Brits include London to Paris and back as well as London to Brussels and back.

The London to Amsterdam route is included, but only one way.

Travel times are between 5:30am and 8:40pm.

François Le Doze, Chief Commercial Officer at Eurostar, commented: “Snap has been a customer favourite, and we’re thrilled to bring it back year-round,offering a smart solution for travellers who can be flexible with their schedules.

“With Snap, Eurostar makes a simple yet compelling promise: travellers pick the date and destination, we select the time, and they can snap up to 50 per cent off the price for remaining Eurostar seats.

“It’s a smart way to travel, ensuring no seat goes unused – a win for our customers, a win for Eurostar, and a win for the planet.”   

There are some restrictions – the previous Snap scheme let you choose whether you wanted an AM or PM ticket.

You also can’t book a day trip so you will have to return at least the next day.

The cheap rates cannot be exchanged or refunded and you can’t pick your seats.

Kids under four can go for free without a seat reservation but Snap currently can’t be used for kids older than this.

But if you time it right, it could mean you get 50 per cent off a £39 ticket – meaning a one-way trip for less than £20.

Eurostar is also a great option for Brits heading to Christmas markets abroad.

With no liquid restrictions, it means you can bring back wine and snow globes without running into problems at security.

Eurostar tickets could even get cheaper next year.

Train regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) had said fares should be cut by 7.7 per cent from April 2025.

Feras Alshaker, ORR director for planning and performance said the high speed line “makes a crucial contribution to the UK economy, supporting growth”.

They added: “[We] should see the costs of operating on the line reduce significantly, giving savings for both international and domestic operators over the next five years, with benefits for passengers and freight users.”

And theare also calls for more Eurostar stops in the UK.

Previously stopping at Ashford International, this was paused during the Covid pandemic and is yet to return.

And there are also calls for it to stop at Stratford International, which the Eurostar also travels through.

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