What are the benefits of PayBridge?

PayBridge has many benefits for you and your guests, especially compared with using a card machine.

Here is a summary of the main benefits of PayBridge, compared with using a card machine.

Deposits deducted automatically

Benefit	Using PayBridge	Using a card machine that can process 'card not present'	Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Processing deposits	Deposit payments automatically deducted from the guest's credit card before arrival (according to property's deposit policy). You don't need to follow up with the guest -- saves time and admin.	Deposit payments manually deducted from the guest's credit card. No time saved. Risk of human error.	Deposit can't be processed until the guest arrives at the property. Potential issues: cash flow is impacted, no-shows and can't apply cancellation policy.
Notifications and payment tracking	You and the guest are instantly notified (via email and SMS) once payment is made. You can keep track of who paid and whether a payment is successful or not.	You and the guest can be instantly notified. However, there is no link to the booking so there is more admin involved. You must manually contact the guest.	No notifications because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all.
3D Secure	Deposits taken via your own website and Google Hotels are 3D Secure payments. Reduces your card security risk and credit card fees for local domestic cards (Visa & Mastercard).	Deposits taken via card machine with the card not present are not 3D Secure payments. This means you have more risk and will pay higher credit card fees.	Not 3D secure because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all.

Virtual cards processed automatically

Benefit	Using PayBridge	Using a card machine that can process 'card not present'	Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Processing virtual cards	Paybridge automatically processes virtual cards (e.g. from Booking.com).	You have to process virtual cards manually on your card machine.	You won't be able to process any virtual cards.
Connecting to channels	Because PayBridge processes virtual cards, you can connect to more channels. You can offer more payment options on Booking.com. This gives you the ability to potentially generate more bookings.	Not applicable.	You can't connect to some channels or offer alternative payment options, possibly leading to a lack of bookings.
Admin and manual work	Automated virtual card processing saves you time, reduces human error, and ensures payments are not missed.	Not automatic. Has led to properties not getting paid because they process the wrong amounts, or on the wrong date, or forget to process.	No automation because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all.

3D secure card link available

Benefit	Using PayBridge	Using a card machine that can process 'card not present'	Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Processing payments	You can send the guest a 3D-Secure card link to collect payment. This can be sent at any time from any booking site. Guest doesn't need to be physically present at the property.	Payments are manually deducted from the guest's credit card. No time saved. Risk of human error.	Payments can't be processed until the guest arrives at the property. Potential issues: cash flow is impacted, no-shows and can't apply cancellation policy.
Amount outstanding	Checkout link in the NightsBridge calendar shows how much is still owing for a booking.	You must manually check how much is still owing on a booking and manually input the amounts.	You must manually check how much is still owing on a booking and manually input the amounts.
3D Secure and physical presence	3D-Secure card link prevents fraudulent transactions, chargebacks and disputes because no payment will go through unless the real cardholder authorises the payment (via OTP or their banking app). Reduces your card security risk and credit card fees for local domestic cards (Visa & Mastercard).	Deposits taken via card machine with the card not present are not 3D Secure payments. This means you have more risk and will pay higher credit card fees.	Not 3D Secure because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all.
Automation and convenience	You can set up an automated email with 3D-Secure card link to be sent before the guest arrives or during their stay. This lets the guest conveniently pay their remaining balance and/or any extras.	You must manually process the remaining balance before arrival and it will not be 3D Secure. Because the guest is not initiating the payment, you need their consent.	No automation or convenience because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all.

Payment transactions made on time

Benefit	Using PayBridge	Using a card machine that can process 'card not present'	Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
How long to be paid	Funds are paid into your bank account within 2 to 3 working days after transaction. You may get paid quicker using PayBridge than via some booking sites (which can take up to 3 weeks to pay).	The timing varies. Could be quicker (if the money is paid directly into your account from the bank). Could be longer (if the gateway pays in batches).	You can't get the deposit until the guest arrives. This can cause major issues with cash flow, no-shows and cancellations.
Bank transfer fee	PayBridge batches payments so you only pay one bank transfer fee per batch.	This depends on the property's payout frequency.	This depends on the property's payout frequency.
Payment frequency	You can choose whether you would like your PayBridge payments to be made to you every 2 days, weekly or monthly.	This depends on whether payments are direct or via a gateway.	This depends on whether payments are direct or via a gateway.

Payment reconciliation on NightsBridge

Benefit	Using PayBridge	Using a card machine that can process 'card not present'	Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Automation	Payments made via PayBridge are automatically added to the Accounts tab of the NightsBridge booking. This makes it easier to trace who has paid or if there are outstanding balances.	You have to manually capture a payment in the calendar.	You have to manually capture a payment in the calendar.
Payment reconciliation	NightsBridge's Payment Reconciliation is a central place to track payment details, card commissions and bank fees for the payments we've transferred to your account.	Having to look across multiple places/sources for payment information makes life difficult for you.	Having to look across multiple places/sources for payment information makes life difficult for you.
Tracking and tracing payments	PayBridge helps you clearly see the connection between the payment and booking, so you can keep track of all payments.	You must remember to capture payments in NightsBridge to see what has been paid. You would also have to do your payment recon somewhere else (not central).	You must remember to capture payments in NightsBridge to see what has been paid. You would have to do your payment recon somewhere else (not central).

Community and NightsBridge Support accessible

Benefit	Using PayBridge	Using a card machine that can process 'card not present'	Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Training	We offer comprehensive training when you are activated on PayBridge (this is included in the cost of the service). You can ask for additional training at any time.	This could be available with other payment solutions, but not with our service quality.	This could be available with other payment solutions, but not with our service quality.
Human support	We offer friendly, efficient, human assistance. You can call a central support team and a person will answer your query. You don't need to use different contact numbers for different queries.	You would need to deal with a bank.	You would need to deal with a bank.
Fraud and pattern spotting	We work with large volumes of payments so we can spot suspicious patterns. We share information on scams and security and let you know when there are issues to be aware of.	You are on your own in terms of fraud checks and keeping up to date on scams happening in the industry.	You are on your own in terms of fraud checks and keeping up to date on scams happening in the industry.

PayBridge overview and application

Previous Article What is PayBridge?

Next Article How does PayBridge work?