Checkout.com works with Holiday Extras on virtual card integration and boosts payment processes performance

Digital payments specialist, Checkout.com, says it has helped Holiday Extras streamline and increase the performance of its payment processes through the use of virtual cards.

Holiday Extras is used by more than 11 million travellers every year to book airport parking, airport hotels, airport lounges, travel insurance, car hire, airport transfers and more.

By integrating Checkout.com’s issuing platform, it has automated its booking and payment systems, and claims to have significantly reduced manual processing and simplified error checking systems.

Holiday Extras previously relied on entirely manual payment processes with its hotel, hospitality, and airline business partners, which caused inefficiencies.

Manual batch bank wire transfers were previously required between Holiday Extras and their partners to confirm bookings and make payments, an area in which the two companies worked together to identify opportunities for technical improvements and significant efficiencies.

Successful implementation of this automated booking and payment system across the business is expected to reduce manual processing time by at least 12.5 hours per week, leading to substantial savings.

Furthermore, the ability to lock virtual cards to specific Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) has also added an extra layer of security, reducing decline rates and enhancing overall customer and partner satisfaction.

Checkout.com provides a virtual card issuing platform that integrates into the booking system of partners.

This integration allows Holiday Extras to issue virtual cards automatically to secure room bookings and make automatic payments to partners as soon as a customer makes a reservation on their website.

Holiday Extras is using Checkout.com’s travel card proposition, which leverages virtual card technology as part of the Mastercard Wholesale Programme, to pay hotel partners. These cards aim to enhance the partner payment experience, and offer a simpler cost structure as well as more card product and currency flexibility.

"Partnering with Checkout.com has transformed how we manage payments. The integration of virtual cards has not only streamlined our booking and payment processes but also enhanced security and efficiency,” says Michelle Taylor, Account Payable Team Leader at Holiday Extras.

“We're excited to expand this solution further, improving the experience for partners and the performance of our customer journey.”

“We are committed to empowering businesses with innovative payment solutions that enhance the performance of payments and fuel growth,” says Antoine Nougué,  Chief Revenue Officer at Checkout.com.

“Our Issuing platform is designed to simplify complex payment processes, and we're thrilled to see Holiday Extras benefiting from the automation and security. This collaboration enables Holiday Extras to provide an even smoother booking experience for its customers, ensuring secure and efficient transactions every time.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Payments is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which is now open for entries.

The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.