With peaks on the horizon, having a simple, smart and efficient payment system is paramount. And for travel agencies currently relying on manual or semi-digital payment processes, a new modern, automated and flexible B2B credit card solution could help revolutionise the way they do business.
Pliant was founded in 2020 and launched to the UK market this year. From its headquarters in Berlin the fintech specialist supports more than 4,000 businesses globally, including TMCs, OTAs, tour operators, bed banks and other travel intermediaries. And as a licensed e-money institution it issues Visa-powered credit cards in 11 currencies, across more than 30 countries.
The challenges of existing payment systems
Being able to pay for bookings is one of the most critical components of a travel agency. And if an agency’s payment system is slow, inflexible or unreliable, the entire business can suffer.
For those using a manual or semi-digital payment process, there are plenty of challenges to overcome. From slow processing times and high fees to mounting admin, payments can be a real source of frustration. Manually issuing payment details, monitoring available funds and reconciling payments can all create unnecessary friction, slowing down teams.
These workflows can become a liability when booking volumes spike. It can even lead to missed bookings and higher costs, especially if agencies are caught up reacting to problems such as declined transactions.
A payment solution made for the travel industry
With peaks fast approaching, Pliant can help give agency managers and directors the real-time control they need to maintain their team’s speed and efficiency. Pliant can be used directly via the web app or embedded into an agency’s system. It seamlessly integrates into existing accounting software, and can connect to bespoke systems.
By automating reconciliation and providing a self-service platform, an agency’s finance and operations team can be freed-up from manual workarounds and unnecessary stress during the busiest times of the year. And as the time spent on payment processes is significantly reduced, bookings can be completed more quickly, helping improve customer service response times.
Plus, to support better cash flow management, funds are charged at the time of transaction, not when a card is issued.
The combination of avoiding lost revenue from failed bookings, earning rebates on all business spend and benefiting from interest-free credit lines, directly results in a healthier financial bottom line for agencies.
Agents can access Pliant via a web app
Pliant’s travel products
Pliant’s virtual card solution for travel companies is tailored to the industry, and offers:
Real-time control and visibility
Pliant provides real-time visibility over transactions, allowing agents to instantly set and adjust custom card limits according to specific booking requirements or business needs.
Self-service management
Teams can handle critical tasks themselves. For example, if a such transaction is declined due to a limit, staff can instantly resolve it via Pliant’s web app, rather than having to wait for assistance from their agency’s bank.
Instant card issuance
Teams can instantly issue virtual cards for new employees or specific high-volume bookings, enabling staff to start paying sooner, and speeding up onboarding.
Automated workflows
Pliant automates core processes, including reconciliation (with custom transaction fields like 'Booking Reference Number'), drastically reducing the administrative workload.
If payments have been become a pain point in your agency, discover how Pliant’s virtual credit cards can maximise your agency’s margins, speed up your processes and boost your efficiency.
Further information
Website: getpliant.com/en/industry/travel
