London, UK, May 29th: Modulr, the embedded payments platform, today announced the launch of its innovative travel payments solution, specifically designed to address the unique needs of online travel agents (OTAs) and travel industry intermediaries. The new offering enhances operational efficiency, streamlines reconciliation and cash flow processes, and unlocks margin improvement opportunities within the travel sector.
The traditional payment infrastructure in the travel industry is often fragmented and outdated, relying on multiple vendors and creating cumbersome manual processes. With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reporting that 41% of travel firms still place payment inefficiencies as their biggest concern. This not only puts operational strain on businesses impacting tight margins, but also affects supplier relationships and deteriorates the customer experience.
Modulr's comprehensive platform and deep payment network connectivity, is engineered to overcome these challenges and is tailored to the unique needs of travel industry. It provides a suite of solutions in a range of currencies that includes virtual cards, account-to-account transfers and customisable notifications, all supported by detailed reporting and accessible through a single API integration and an online portal tailored for travel agents.
Travel companies can benefit from an array of fixed interchange rates available with both VISA and Mastercard, allowing for customised arrangements with suppliers and respond effectively to changing customer needs. Modulr's virtual cards are enhanced with advanced authorisation controls ensuring every transaction is transparent, flexible, and secure.
Myles Stephenson, CEO and Founder of Modulr, emphasised the importance of this innovation, stating, “Our goal is to alleviate the payment challenges experienced by the travel industry, bringing together our comprehensive suite of virtual card programs with our leading-edge payment and account issuance capability, delivering an all-in-one solution for the travel industry."
Modulr's industry leading platform deeply integrates into the payments ecosystem to include a full spectrum of payment functionalities such as virtual cards, collections, disbursements, and supplier payments; encompassing methods like Open Banking, Direct Debit, Faster Payments, Bacs, Chaps, SEPA, and SWIFT. Integrated into one seamless API and portal, this technology empowers travel companies to navigate financial complexities with confidence and strategically plan for the future.
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At Modulr, our vision is a world where all businesses are powered by embedded payments.
Modulr enables thousands of businesses, from SMEs to enterprise, across the UK and Europe to efficiently pay-in, collect and disburse funds instantly via a range of payment methods, accounts, and card products.
We’ve created an industry-leading platform with comprehensive online tools and API access, to meet the demands of daily business payments. We are connected to an expanding network of accounting and payroll platforms, including Sage, Xero, BrightPay and IRIS. Our payments expertise and extensive product capability also enables us to build tailored solutions to solve complex payment problems for hundreds of clients in a range of industries, including Travel, Merchant Payments, Lending, Wage Advance and Investment & Wealth.
We are deeply integrated into the payment eco-system. In the UK, we are direct participants of Faster Payments and Bacs, and hold settlement accounts at the Bank of England. Our payment network connectivity includes CHAPS, Open Banking, SEPA, SWIFT and account issuance in a range of currencies. We are principal issuing members of Visa and Mastercard across the UK and Europe.
Our regulatory permissions and governance structure underpin our business. We are regulated as an Authorised Electronic Money Institution (AEMI) in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and in the Netherlands by De Nederlandsche Bank.
