Vertical Travel Group’s homeworking agents have hailed a new pay-by-link system which makes it easier and safer for them to take payments from customers.
Called VSL Pay, the solution has been developed by sister technology brand Vertical Systems and PXP Financial, which specialises in payment processing services.
Agents with the group’s four homeworking brands – Your Holiday Booking, Holiday Elite, Instant Holidays and Instant Breaks – started training with the software last month.
Chris North, managing director at Vertical Systems, said the Vertical homeworkers have embraced the system, calling it a “a life saver” and “game changer” because it makes payments secure and easy for agents and customers.
VSL Pay enables an agent to send a secure payment link to a customer by text, email or an online messaging service. Once payment is made by the customer, the agent will receive an alert to proceed with the booking.
North said VSL Pay reduces the risk involved in payments as agents do not need to handle any customer card data.
“It cuts the amount of manual loading of information; it cuts down mistakes; and helps with reconciliation,” he said.
“[It] will ensure zero hassle when booking travel.”
The system also helps agents comply with data protection rules and cuts the risk of chargebacks because the customer makes the transaction, rather than the homeworker.
Agents can determine how long the links will be valid, and they can customise the message that is generated for the customer.
Vertical Systems is selling VSL Pay to other agency groups and hopes to sell it to non-travel companies such as restaurants, garages and hotels, which can also take payments by links.
Kamran Hedjri, chief executive at PXP Financial, added: “Our partnership with Vertical Systems has been long and successful and we are thrilled to be continuing this with VSL Pay.
“As the travel market re-opens, it is crucial that travel agents are prepared for an influx of customers looking to book holidays away.”
Picture by Jirapong Manustrong/Shutterstock
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