Payment problems solved

SINCE launching in 2022, Glyde has seen good growth within the South African travel industry. Built exclusively for B2B use and developed in partnership with Mastercard, Glyde aims to solve payment complexities that travel agencies often face, Paulina Klotzbücher, CEO of Glyde, told Travel News. New solutions Within the next three months, Glyde has two exciting launches coming up, according to Klotzbücher. One is the launch of the Mastercard Wholesale Program Card, a first in Africa, which will offer high rebates for hotel payments, backed by secure and transparent processes and reporting. Glyde is also introducing a new expense card app. This app will allow tour operators, employees and agents to pay expenses using their Apple, Samsung and Google wallets, all managed through an easy-to-use app. “Every transaction links back to the B2B bank, giving CFOs and business owners clear oversight and control to issue, cancel, load, manage and approve payments with real time visibility,” said Klotzbücher. In addition to these two launches, Glyde will soon go live with Amadeus, enabling card issuance directly within the GDS. Klotzbücher said agencies wanting to be part of the first batch to go live could contact support@glydepay.io or speak to their Amadeus account manager. Leap “Glyde’s biggest leap yet is its expansion from card issuing into full banking services,” said Klotzbücher. Clients can open their own dedicated accounts, supported by what Glyde described as the cheapest real-time clearing (RTC) payments in the market today. “Glyde can now replace your main banking services delivering the most cost-effective and innovative solutions available.” Innovation “At the heart of Glyde’s offering is its programmable virtual card platform, designed around the realities of the travel trade,” said Klotzbücher. The platform allows for programmable automation, cards to be funded and offloaded automatically based on trigger events, granular controls such as activation dates, authorisation value limits and swipe limits. Merchant-level controls allow agencies to determine not just how a card is used but also who can swipe it. Agencies can issue an unlimited number of cards curated for their specific use. According to Klotzbücher, a common problem travel agents face is that the cardholder is sometimes not the person actually using the card. Glyde’s customisable OTP routing means one- time PINs can be directed to the right recipient, eliminating failed payments and frantic phone calls. Cards can be issued manually, in batches or via API. Glyde has built an ecosystem of technology partners including Papertrail and, most recently, a full integration with TravelIt for easy issuance within the platform. “As a registered financial services provider and accountable institution, Glyde works in support of the SA Reserve Bank’s vision of creating a safe, transparent and effective evolution of the banking space for the entire B2B ecosystem, but especially for the travel industry that sits at the heart of Glyde’s focus and passion,” said Klotzbücher.