Paysafe’s unified platform enables travel brands to expand globally by supporting local payments, real-time bank transfers, and prepaid options.
Expanding into new markets presents both opportunities and complexities for travel brands. Consumers expect local payment options, yet card usage can vary significantly by region. To stay competitive, merchants must modernise their payment ecosystems.
With that in mind, a recent survey found that 90% of travel executives are prioritising upgrades to payment and financial operations systems, while 80% would be interested in an all-in-one payment and financial operations platform.
To successfully cater to varying consumer preferences, a one-size-fits-all checkout no longer works. Paysafe’s unified platform seamlessly orchestrates 260+ local and alternative methods, including real-time bank payments, prepaid cards, and cash vouchers, so you can serve customers however they prefer to pay.
Unlocking new markets with real-time bank payments
In markets where plastic cards aren’t widespread, payment methods like account-to-account (A2A) transfers and real-time bank payments can bridge the gap. Real-time bank payments debit a traveller’s bank account and credit the merchant almost instantly, with no card networks or third-party wallets required. The result is a checkout flow that mirrors everyday online banking: familiar, secure, and fast. Customers appreciate the transparency and immediacy of transactions, while merchants benefit from higher approval rates and fewer chargebacks thanks to built-in bank-level risk checks.
For travel brands targeting budget-conscious or underbanked travellers, enabling instant pay removes a significant obstacle to booking completion. And with Paysafe’s unified API, integrating these local and real-time bank schemes is straightforward, ensuring you capture demand in every geography.
Engaging budget travellers with prepaid and cash vouchers
Prepaid cards and cash-in-store vouchers offer budget-conscious shoppers a controlled way to pay, helping them avoid overspending or going overdrawn. Travellers who prefer to manage their spending without tying transactions to their bank accounts or credit lines can purchase a prepaid voucher, such as those offered by PaysafeCard. These methods reduce credit card-related anxiety, appeal to unbanked or underbanked consumer segments, and foster trust by making costs immediately visible. Merchants benefit from guaranteed funding since vouchers are paid upfront, minimising the risk of chargebacks. Integrating these options is effortless through Paysafe’s global network, allowing travel brands to diversify their payment offerings without adding operational complexity.
Benefitting from geo and device-based orchestration with Paysafe
Paysafe’s payment orchestration engine unifies acquirers, PSPs, and local methods into a single platform tailored for travel. It dynamically routes each transaction along the fastest, most cost-effective path, factoring in geographic performance, device type, and real-time success rates. If one partner declines, Paysafe instantly switches to an alternative, ensuring payments don’t stall. Built-in fee comparison then selects the lowest-cost route, helping travel brands reduce processing fees while boosting authorisation rates.
Looking ahead
Global expansion requires catering to diverse payment preferences. Alternative methods, such as A2A, real-time bank payments, prepaid cards, and cash vouchers, unlock demand in underbanked markets and among budget travellers. Combined with Paysafe’s geo- and device-based orchestration, this unified platform transforms browsing into bookings, reduces declines, and boosts revenue.
