What are meses sin intereses?
Meses sin intereses (MSI) let credit card holders split a purchase into monthly payments with no interest, usually from 3 to 24 months, while the merchant absorbs the cost. Only a minority of shoppers hold credit cards, which is why cardless BNPL such as Kueski Pay and Aplazo grew. 9% of online shoppers used cardless BNPL in 2025.
In detail
Meses sin intereses (MSI) are Mexico's classic installment tool. Credit card holders split a purchase into monthly payments with no interest, usually from 3 to 24 months. The merchant absorbs the cost through a discount on the amount it receives.
Why it matters
MSI drives big sales events such as Hot Sale and Buen Fin, and many shoppers expect it for electronics, appliances and travel. But it needs a credit card, and only 28% of card payments in 2025 used one. A Mercado Pago executive said in 2026 that only 34 issuers offer MSI.
Cardless BNPL fills the gap
Shoppers without credit cards turn to cardless buy now, pay later. In AMVO's 2026 study, 9% of online shoppers used BNPL without a card. Kueski Pay, Aplazo and Mercado Pago's credit line lead the market, and Aplazo has moved into physical retail.
What it means for payment operators
For operators serving Mexican merchants, MSI depends on acquirers that support installment plans and pass them to issuers, with clear pricing for each term. Adding a cardless BNPL option next to MSI reaches shoppers without credit cards. Activating both per merchant lets each one offer installments where they lift sales.