8 Best Travel Payment Solutions

Explore the best options to send and accept payments in the travel industry.

Cross-border payments remain a challenge in travel, with fees, delays and disconnected systems affecting both operators and customers. Traditional bank transfers can take several days to settle and currency conversion costs reduce already tight margins, limiting reinvestment in service and technology.

New payment tools are helping travel businesses simplify operations and improve the customer experience. Digital wallets and virtual cards offer secure ways to pay, Buy Now Pay Later options provide more flexibility and blockchain introduces new methods for processing transactions.

These travel payment solutions support faster, safer and more flexible payment flows across regions, helping businesses serve global travellers more effectively.

1. Digital Wallets

Digital wallets are becoming a popular method of payment by offering secure, contactless transactions through smartphones. They store payment cards, loyalty details and travel documents in encrypted form, protected by biometric authentication such as fingerprint or facial recognition. This reduces fraud risk compared to physical cards.

Adoption is growing rapidly, particularly among younger travellers. Gen Z and millennials are significantly more likely to use digital wallets when booking and paying for travel. In Europe, contactless payments have become standard, and businesses that support these methods meet customer expectations more effectively.

For travel companies, digital wallet integration improves the payment experience, supports faster settlement in many markets and may reduce processing costs. Many providers also offer transaction-level insights that help inform business and marketing decisions.

Payment solution providers like Rapyd connect travel businesses with leading eWallets across global markets, helping them offer trusted, localised options that increase conversion and customer satisfaction.

2. Direct Card Acquiring

Accepting major credit cards is essential for travel businesses to meet the needs of global customers. Visa and Mastercard are widely used, and the ability to accept these cards is critical for boosting conversion rates. However, working with a local acquirer provides further advantages.

Local acquirers improve transaction success rates by tailoring payment processes to regional preferences. This is especially important in travel, where high-value transactions demand reliability and efficiency. Using a local acquirer also eliminates international processing fees.

Rapyd provides direct local card acquiring for travel businesses across multiple regions, including the UK, Europe, Israel and Singapore.

3. Virtual Cards

Virtual cards offer enhanced control and security for managing travel payments. With the ability to generate unique card numbers for individual transactions or vendors, they reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorised charges.

Travel businesses can configure virtual cards with spend limits, expiration dates and use parameters. Cards can be issued instantly and deactivated at any time, making them well-suited for supplier payments such as airline tickets and hotel bookings.

In corporate travel, virtual cards support accurate, real-time expense tracking. Transactions are logged automatically and linked to specific trips, departments or projects, simplifying reconciliation. Real-time visibility helps finance teams monitor spending and identify anomalies quickly.

Booking.com reports that assigning dedicated virtual cards to each expense category or budget improves oversight and prevents overspending. Notifications and limit settings allow teams to stay within budget while maintaining flexibility across departments.

Virtual cards also accelerate supplier payments and can be used to speed up commission payouts, reduce operational complexity and support better cash flow management.

4. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is influencing how consumers pay for travel, offering more flexible budgeting options and increasing conversion. The global Travel Now Pay Later market is projected to reach USD 98.6 billion by 2033.

BNPL services are delivering measurable results. 56% of Asian Pacific companies offering BNPL services reported acquiring new customers, while 40% of companies in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East reported an increase in previously unreached customers.

Travel companies offering BNPL see several benefits:

• Increased conversion and higher spend: BNPL users typically spend more per booking than those using traditional payment methods
• Customer retention: Instalment options encourage repeat purchases, particularly among younger customers
• Expanded reach: BNPL makes travel more accessible to price-sensitive travellers who may not otherwise complete bookings

However, BNPL adoption also raises challenges:

• Dispute complexity: BNPL can add friction to chargeback and refund processes
• Regulatory pressure: Oversight is increasing across markets, with new compliance requirements emerging regularly
• Customer risk: Missed payments are common, particularly in markets with weaker credit infrastructure

As the sector evolves, BNPL may be embedded more deeply into loyalty programmes and personalised travel offers. Success will depend on balancing payment flexibility with operational control.

5. Multi-Currency Payment Platforms

Multi-currency payment platforms help travel businesses manage cross-border operations by supporting local acceptance, fast settlements and centralised currency control. These platforms reduce reliance on traditional banking infrastructure and improve transaction visibility.

Virtual Account Networks

Platforms like Rapyd let businesses set up local virtual accounts in over 40 countries and 25+ currencies without opening physical bank accounts. Travel companies can receive payments in local currencies via familiar regional methods, avoiding complex international banking arrangements.

Fund Management and FX Control

Global accounts allow travel businesses to accept payments in customers’ preferred currency, hold funds in multiple currencies and settle in a variety of currencies. Built-in FX tools allow businesses to convert funds at competitive rates, reduce third-party fees and manage exposure based on market conditions.

Disbursement Flexibility

With platforms like Rapyd, travel companies can pay suppliers, workers and partners in over 190 countries using a variety of payment methods, including bank transfers and instant card payouts. This supports smoother supplier relationships and better control over global operations.

Emerging Trends

Key developments in multi-currency payments include embedded finance within booking flows, AI-driven FX optimisation, expanded support for regional wallets and stronger analytics for financial planning.

6. Contactless Payments

Contactless payment technology, including NFC and QR codes, is changing how travellers pay across the travel journey, from booking to check-in to local experiences.

These methods offer several advantages:

• Faster checkout with tap-to-pay or scan-to-pay
• Improved security through tokenisation and encryption
• Simplified experiences through mobile wallet integration

Adoption is growing across the travel ecosystem:

• Airports: Self-service kiosks support tap-to-pay for check-in and baggage drop
• In-flight purchases: Airlines are enabling mobile payments for onboard sales
• Hotels: Mobile check-in and digital room access are becoming standard
• Transport: Ride-hailing, taxis and transit systems increasingly accept contactless cards and wallets
• Tours and activities: QR code payments are used for fast, app-free bookings

Biometric payments using facial recognition and fingerprint verification are being tested in select airports. Smartwatches and other wearable payment tools are also gaining traction, offering added convenience for travellers on the move

As traveller expectations evolve, contactless payments are becoming essential for delivering convenient, trusted payment options.

7. Mobile Payment Apps

Mobile payment apps offer fast, secure transactions that support both traveller convenience and business operations. Leading solutions like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Alipay allow users to pay without physical cards or cash, supporting travel across borders and currencies.

These apps simplify payments through features like NFC and QR code support, enabling contactless transactions across transportation, retail, accommodation and dining. For international travel, built-in multi-currency support and automatic conversion make budgeting and payments more predictable.

Security is a central strength. Features such as biometric authentication and tokenisation protect user data and reduce fraud risk. This creates confidence for both travellers and businesses handling frequent payments.

Many travel businesses now connect mobile wallets with loyalty programmes, allowing customers to earn and redeem rewards directly from their devices. This integration supports repeat bookings and improves customer retention.

Adoption requires technical readiness. Businesses must integrate mobile payment platforms through secure APIs, manage compatibility across regions and meet evolving regulatory requirements. A phased rollout allows time to test functionality and adapt systems as needed.

As mobile payments become standard across global markets, they will remain a core component of travel payment strategies.

8. Blockchain-Based Payment Solutions

Blockchain technology introduces new ways to improve transparency, reduce costs and automate transactions in the travel industry.

Smart contracts, self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain, can automatically trigger actions such as booking confirmations, refunds and payment releases, helping reduce administrative tasks and human error.

Improved Transparency and Cost Savings

The decentralised ledger records transactions in a secure, verifiable format, helping prevent fraud and improve financial accuracy. A notable example is the partnership between KAYAK, Blockskye and PwC, which developed a blockchain solution for corporate travel bookings. The result: lower costs, faster reconciliation and better visibility across the booking lifecycle.

Tokenised Loyalty Programmes

Blockchain supports interoperable loyalty programmes where points can be tokenised and used across multiple travel brands. This flexibility increases engagement and simplifies point management for both customers and providers.

Decentralised Identity Verification

Blockchain is also being tested for secure identity verification. It offers a consistent and tamper-proof way to manage traveller credentials, which could improve airport check-ins and reduce fraud.

Implementation Challenges

Widespread adoption is limited by regulatory uncertainty, integration complexity and the need for education across the industry. Compatibility with existing systems remains a barrier for many providers.

Still, blockchain offers clear long-term potential.

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