Travel Merchant Account
At Signature Payments, we provide merchant accounts for a broad range of travel merchants.
At Signature Payments, we provide merchant accounts for a broad range of travel merchants. With more than two decades of industry experience, we specialize in providing “high-risk” businesses with the payment processing support they need to grow.
If you’re a travel merchant that has been repeatedly turned down by other payment providers, we may be able to help. Our team of in-house specialists are ready to guide you through the easy application process so you can get approved for your travel merchant account ASAP.
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What Is a Travel Merchant Account?
To process card-based transactions for your travel business, you need a dedicated merchant account. Without this special account, all future sales will be limited to cash, check or some other payment method that doesn’t use a credit, debit or rewards card.
The problem is that many payment processors are reluctant to work with vendors in the travel space. Whether fairly or not, they deem travel merchants “high-risk.”
There are a few reasons why this perception exists:
- Chargebacks: A chargeback is similar to a typical refund. Though instead of going through you (the merchant), the customer reverses the charges directly through his or her bank. That customer also keeps whatever service or good you sold to him or her. If you rack up enough chargebacks, you’ll also likely lose your merchant account.
- Fraud: Payment fraud exists across all industries. By its nature, the tourism industry invites a lot of bad actors that take advantage of the anonymity and distance that online shopping offers. When you add special deals, reward points and exchange rates, it’s easy to see why payment processing for the travel industry is complex.
- COVID: Every sector of the economy has been directly impacted by COVID-19. The travel industry has taken one of the largest hits, with closures, restrictions, cancellations and testing all making it harder for tourists to reach and enjoy their destinations.
As a result of these challenges, most payment processors simply don’t offer travel industry merchant accounts. Those that do often charge exorbitant rates to compensate for the perceived “risk” of taking on such a client.
At Signature Payments, we specialize in providing high-risk merchants with the payment processing support they need to securely accept all major credit and debit cards — whether in-person, online, via mail or over the phone. If you need a merchant account for your travel agency, Signature Payments can help.
When others say no, we say yes.
With Signature Payments you get …
Easy Sign-Up
Our online merchant account application can be completed quickly and easily in just a few minutes.
Fast Approvals
Our application review process is quick and easy so you can begin accepting payments in no time.
No Hidden Fees
Our team will work hard to get your account approved at the lowest possible rates with no hidden fees or extras.
Flexible Solutions
We work with multiple banks and offer both domestic and offshore solutions to give you the flexibility you need.
Travel Merchant Frequently Asked Questions
The application process couldn’t be easier. Just fill out our free online form. Our team of payment processing specialists will review your application and get you approved as quickly as possible.
If you have specific questions about travel merchant accounts or how to fill out the online application, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
What types of travel merchants do you accept?
Because we specialize in merchant services for travel agencies, we work with a wide range of clients in the broader tourism and hospitality spaces. If you’ve repeatedly been denied by other payment providers in the past, you’re exactly the type of travel merchant that would benefit from our high-risk payment processing solutions.
What types of payments can I accept?
With a Signature Payments merchant account, you’ll be able to securely accept all credit, debit and rewards cards offered by the major brands (Mastercard®, Visa®, Discover® and American Express®). Your merchant account also supports payments made via check, mobile wallet and electronic benefit transfer (EBT).
Do I need to be based stateside to qualify for a travel merchant account?
You don’t have to be physically present in the United States. To secure and maintain your travel merchant account status, you’ll need a U.S. business address and banking account. For questions about merchant account eligibility, schedule a free consultation with our in-house specialist today.
Can I still apply if I have bad credit?
At Signature Payments, we require a Personal Guarantee during the application process in almost all cases. However, we also assess your travel business’s creditworthiness by analyzing its size, sales records and repayment history.
The online application only takes a few minutes to complete. You have nothing to lose (and so much to gain if and when you are approved).
How do you determine merchant account eligibility?
Because every business is unique, there is no universal formula. Generally, businesses that work with us must provide bank statements, processing statements, pricing lists and refund policies. If you have questions about the application process, our in-house specialists are always ready to help.
Will Signature Payments work with my existing software?
Our processing technology works with most major payment gateways — including NMI, ePN and Authorize.net. Our merchant accounts integrate seamlessly with many of the most popular accounting, bookkeeping and customer relationship management (CRM) software.
If you have specific questions about software integrations, schedule a free consultation with us today.
Will I need additional hardware to start accepting payments?
To accept in-person card-based payments, you’ll need a physical POS terminal — whether it’s a desktop, compact or mobile card reader. To accept card-based payments online, you’ll need a dedicated payment gateway (which is the virtual equivalent of a POS reader).