ONLINE B2B operator, RezLive has
changed its policy to allow only the use
of agency cards. This is in contrast to
a slew of airlines prohibiting the use of
agent cards as a form of payment.
While airlines have stated that agency
card transactions incur higher costs
and put the airline at greater risk,
RezLive believes this form of payment
poses less risk to suppliers.
This change in policy was sparked
by RezLive being hit for $28 000
(R370 000) in fraud this month.
The transactions were all
processed at midnight in
Indonesia and Pakistan
for guests checking in to
hotels the next day. As the
fraudulent transactions were
only reported after guests
had checked out, RezLive was
held responsible for honouring
payments.
Sunitha Ganesh, business
development manager for
RezLive, says agency credit
cards offer suppliers less risk,
not more, as the operator
visits and vets each agency
that they work with to ensure
that the businesses are
sound. Vetting would not be
possible when dealing with
client credit cards worldwide.
Otto de Vries, ceo of Asata,
says the global payment
space is revolutionising the
way customers and travel
agents can pay for products
and services. While in most
cases this ensures the safe,
cheap, effective and quick
transfer of funds between
business partners in the travel
space, airline settlement is the
exception.
He adds that, despite Iata’s
argument that NewGen ISS
is “modernising the agency
programme”, it is clear that
the industry is actually moving
backwards as more and more
airlines refuse to accept
various forms of card payment
in the BSP and drive a cash
settlement agenda, with all
the associated risks attached
thereto.
