All Top Banking

UATP to Expand Network to Hotels and Car Rentals?

Posted by John B. Frank Monday, November 24, 2008

According to Commercial Payments International,  "This week, the payment network Universal Air Travel Plan indicated that it is considering expanding its existing merchant network in 2009 to both hotels and car rental vendors. (At present, over 240 airlines and travel agencies accept UATP for air travel, service fees, management fees and net fares payment.)

It believes the time may be right to make such a move as so many companies are looking for ways to cut costs. Merchants are usually charged lower service fees by UATP than by other corporate card networks.


If UATP proceeds with this strategy, it would represent more competition for the existing dominant payment networks such as MasterCard and Visa. UATP is already a significant payment network as far as airline payments go – the organization is expecting its charge volume to reach $12 billion in 2008, with further growth predicted for next year."

In related news, UATP announced yet another partnership...this time with Atlanta based Moneta.  Here's the press release:

UATP and Moneta Partnership Broadens Airline Payment Options - MarketWatch
Universal Air Travel Program (UATP), the low cost payment network privately owned by the world's airlines, announced it has partnered with Moneta to support Moneta's online payment wallet for the 250 airlines utilizing UATP payment gateway services. Moneta offers consumers, airline and merchants a convenient, safe and affordable payment method which is distributed and marketed through the consumer's bank. Airlines using the UATP payment gateway connection can activate Moneta on their retail checkout site with no infrastructure investment and minimal configuration.

"The Moneta-UATP partnership provides a low-cost payment option for airlines while enhancing consumer confidence and loyalty for both airlines and banks," said Ralph Kaiser, president and chief executive officer, UATP. "As our network of airlines continues to grow, we look forward to assisting Moneta in expanding their airline distribution."

Initially, Moneta transactions will use the U.S. ACH debit network, enabling consumers to pay directly from their checking or money market accounts. In 2009, Moneta plans to offer additional payment options including international debit payments, credit cards, pay later and pay early functionality. The Moneta service is free to consumers and is available to customers in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

"Partnering with UATP underscores the ease of implementing Moneta's online wallet for airlines," said Guido Sacchi, CEO of Moneta. "By integrating into the UATP gateway service, airlines can take immediate advantage of lower online transaction costs. Additionally, airlines offering Moneta will enjoy the ability to reach new customers through our bank partner network. Airlines selecting the UATP-Moneta solution will realize not only cost savings, but the ability to market their airlines through online banking customers either on a per-market basis or around the country."

About Moneta Corporation

Moneta Corporation is a leading payments company offering secure, convenient methods for consumers to pay online merchants directly from their checking or money market accounts. Moneta partners with online merchants to accept and process payments, while providing financial institutions branding opportunities during the transaction process. Moneta's rapidly growing partner network enables online retailers and travel providers to attract valuable customers with a preference for paying directly from their well-established bank accounts. Moneta is a privately-held company headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information visit www.monetacorp.com

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

0 comments

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Search This Blog

Our Manufacturing Facility

Learn More About Us

Find out how our patented technology can empower your financial institution.

Our secure two-factor online banking authentication eliminates dangerous passwords and usernames and replicates the same trusted process used to access cash at ATM's. (Insert Bank Issued Card, Enter Bank Issued PIN)

There is an R.O.I. as FI's also earn recurring revenue from each transaction conducted using our PCI 2.0 Certified PIN Entry Device. Our technology also provides a unique real-time P2P "Instant-Transfer" which allows your online banking customer to transfer cash from ANY of their bankcards to ANY other bankcard...with the Swipe of a card.

Help your bank eliminate phishing and your customers avoid identity theft by providing them with the ability to stop typing and start swiping. There is no safer way to conduct financial transactions online than by 3DES DUKPT encrypting the cardholder details, which we do at the mag-head "inside the box/outside the browser."

Total Pageviews

SLIM for PC or SmartPhone

SLIM for PC or SmartPhone
Click to Inquire

Chip and PIN eCommerce and Mobile

Chip and PIN eCommerce and Mobile
Click to Inquire

Kapersky Calls for Mass Adoption of Card Readers

Kapersky Calls for Mass Adoption of Card Readers

Translate This Blog

BobCaps

Search ePayment News (example: NFC)

About Me

My photo
Named one of the best Payment Industry News Blogs 4 Years Running

Feedjit

My Zimbio