Virtual cards specialist Conferma has signed a deal with Amadeus allowing TMCs to pay for hotel bookings using virtual card numbers (VCNs).
The deal means that agencies can use VCNs as a payment method within the Amadeus e-Travel Management online self-booking tool.
The automated process does not change the existing booking process, with the VCN automatically faxed to the hotel when the booking is made. The hotel then will charge back to that number when the traveller checks out at the end of their stay.
Buyers can benefit from receiving data captured on VCNs, which can include specific company information on cost centres or project codes, through Conferma’s management information (MI) and reporting tool.
Conferma CEO Simon Barker (pictured) added: “It’s great to see more and more businesses embracing innovative technology to replace the outdated and inefficient manual processes that are costing the industry $1.5 billion a year.”
Simon Taylor, business line manager for Amadeus UK & Ireland, said the deal allowed them to deliver “the kind of seamless process that both travellers and businesses love”.
“Not only has it increased the adoption of the booking tool, improving travel policy compliance and efficiency, but it has also improved cost control and traveller satisfaction,” he said.
VCNs can be created for single transactions or individual projects and are also regarded as being more secure because the numbers can be restricted to certain categories of merchants to reduce the risk of fraud.