Gen X: Security trumps hype in their payment choices

Amid the noise surrounding Millennial fintech adoption and Gen Z’s mobile-first payments, Gen X remains a powerful yet overlooked cohort.

Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen X came of age during the rise of e-commerce and digital banking.

Yet, despite their familiarity with technology, their payment preferences are rooted in security, reliability, and tangible value, according to PXP’s latest report.

Pragmatic Approach

Gen X: Security trumps hype

Unlike younger generations who chase frictionless convenience and embedded finance innovations, Gen X demonstrates a pragmatic approach.

Over half (51%) cite security as their top payment priority, with 40% listing fraud risk as their greatest frustration when transacting online.

This caution reflects a generation that witnessed everything from cheque fraud in the 80s to phishing scams in the early internet era.

Their choices are not about resisting innovation, but rather ensuring it is grounded in trust.

Preferences?

Debit cards remain their primary payment method, with 49% of Gen X using them for everyday purchases such as groceries and fashion.

Credit cards follow closely, especially for big-ticket items like travel bookings, where 33% prefer them to access rewards programmes and fraud protection.

Mobile wallets, by contrast, remain niche, used by just 5% for travel and 6% for in-store shopping.

The conclusion is clear: Gen X seeks payment methods they can rely on rather than those that merely promise novelty.

Yet this is not a generation stuck in the past.

PXP’s research highlights that 34% are curious about wearables, and nearly a third (29%) are open to biometric payments if security is proven robust.

In travel, Gen X shows strong interest in instant currency conversion and fee transparency, aligning with their value-driven mindset.

Another striking finding is their distaste for hidden fees: 36% of Gen X cite lack of pricing transparency as a major frustration, underlining their demand for straightforward communication at checkout.

Meanwhile, loyalty remains an effective motivator.

31% say exclusive discounts influence purchasing decisions, and 28% are drawn to payments that offer rewards or cashback – a figure businesses cannot ignore given Gen X’s significant disposable income and peak-career earnings.

How to Capitalise

For merchants and fintechs, the implications are profound.

As Kamran Hedjri, Group CEO of PXP, notes, “Gen X aren’t driven by hype, but by security, clarity and payment experiences that fit seamlessly into their everyday lives.”

Businesses seeking to build loyalty within this cohort should focus on enabling trusted card payments, integrating loyalty programmes with direct financial value, and communicating security credentials clearly at the point of payment.

In a world obsessed with digital-first Millennials and Gen Z’s embedded wallets, Generation X quietly wields influence over retail and travel payments trends.

They want payment solutions that balance the assurance of security with the genuine benefits of innovation – a reminder that when it comes to winning over Gen X, trust will always outweigh tech hype.