NightsBridge Client Tutorials

What are the benefits of NightsBridge Pay?

NightsBridge Pay has many benefits for you and your guests, especially compared with using a card machine.

Here is a summary of the main benefits of NightsBridge Pay, compared with using a card machine.

Expand or collapse content Deposits deducted automatically
Benefit Using NightsBridge Pay Using a card machine that can process 'card not present' Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Processing deposits
  • Deposit payments automatically deducted from the guest's credit card before arrival (according to property's deposit policy).
  • You don't need to follow up with the guest -- saves time and admin.
  • Deposit payments manually deducted from the guest's credit card.
  • No time saved.
  • Risk of human error. 
  • Deposit can't be processed until the guest arrives at the property. 
  • Potential issues: cash flow is impacted, no-shows and can't apply cancellation policy. 
Notifications and payment tracking
  • You and the guest are instantly notified (via email and SMS) once payment is made. 
  • You can keep track of who paid and whether a payment is successful or not.
  • You and the guest can be instantly notified.
  • However, there is no link to the booking so there is more admin involved.
  • You must manually contact the guest. 
  • No notifications because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all. 
3D Secure
  • Deposits taken via your own website and Google Hotels are 3D Secure payments. 
  • Reduces your card security risk and credit card fees for local domestic cards (Visa & Mastercard).
  • Deposits taken via card machine with the card not present are not 3D Secure payments.
  • This means you have more risk and will pay higher credit card fees. 
  • Not 3D secure because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all. 
Expand or collapse content Virtual cards processed automatically
Benefit Using NightsBridge Pay Using a card machine that can process 'card not present' Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Processing virtual cards
  • Paybridge automatically processes virtual cards (e.g. from Booking.com).
  • You have to process virtual cards manually on your card machine. 
  • You won't be able to process any virtual cards.
Connecting to channels
  • Because PayBridge processes virtual cards, you can connect to more channels.
  • You can offer more payment options on Booking.com.
  • This gives you the ability to potentially generate more bookings. 
  • Not applicable.
  • You can't connect to some channels or offer alternative payment options, possibly leading to a lack of bookings.
Admin and manual work
  • Automated virtual card processing saves you time, reduces human error, and ensures payments are not missed. 
  • Not automatic.
  • Has led to properties not getting paid because they process the wrong amounts, or on the wrong date, or forget to process.
  • No automation because payment cannot be processed ahead of check-in at all. 
Expand or collapse content Payment transactions made on time
Benefit Using NightsBridge Pay Using a card machine that can process 'card not present' Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
How long to be paid
  • Funds are paid into your bank account within 2 to 3 working days after transaction. 
  • You may get paid quicker using NightsBridge Pay than via some booking sites (which can take up to 3 weeks to pay).
  • The timing varies.
  • Could be quicker (if the money is paid directly into your account from the bank).
  • Could be longer (if the gateway pays in batches).
  • You can't get the deposit until the guest arrives.
  • This can cause major issues with cash flow, no-shows and cancellations.
Bank transfer fee
  • NightsBridge Pay batches payments so you only pay one bank transfer fee per batch. 
  • This depends on the property's payout frequency.
  • This depends on the property's payout frequency.
Payment frequency

  • You can choose whether you would like your NightsBridge Pay payments to be made to you every 2 days, weekly or monthly.
  • This depends on whether payments are direct or via a gateway.
  • This depends on whether payments are direct or via a gateway.
Expand or collapse content Payment reconciliation on NightsBridge
Benefit Using NightsBridge Pay Using a card machine that can process 'card not present' Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Automation
  • Payments made via NightsBridge Pay are automatically added to the Accounts tab of the NightsBridge booking. 
  • This makes it easier to trace who has paid or if there are outstanding balances.
  • You have to manually capture a payment in the calendar.
  • You have to manually capture a payment in the calendar.
Payment reconciliation
  • NightsBridge's Payment Reconciliation is a central place to track payment details, card commissions and bank fees for the payments we've transferred to your account. 
  • Having to look across multiple places/sources for payment information makes life difficult for you. 
  • Having to look across multiple places/sources for payment information makes life difficult for you.
Tracking and tracing payments

  • NightsBridge Pay helps you clearly see the connection between the payment and booking, so you can keep track of all payments. 
  • You must remember to capture payments in NightsBridge to see what has been paid.
  • You would also have to do your payment recon somewhere else (not central).
  • You must remember to capture payments in NightsBridge to see what has been paid.
  • You would have to do your payment recon somewhere else (not central).
Expand or collapse content Community and NightsBridge Support accessible
Benefit Using NightsBridge Pay Using a card machine that can process 'card not present' Using a card machine that can't process 'card not present'
Training 
  • We offer comprehensive training when you are activated on PayBridge (this is included in the cost of the service).
  • You can ask for additional training at any time.
  • This could be available with other payment solutions, but not with our service quality.
  • This could be available with other payment solutions, but not with our service quality.
Human support
  • We offer friendly, efficient, human assistance.
  • You can call a central support team and a person will answer your query.
  • You don't need to use different contact numbers for different queries.
  • You would need to deal with a bank.
  • You would need to deal with a bank.
Fraud and pattern spotting
  • We work with large volumes of payments so we can spot suspicious patterns.
  • We share information on scams and security and let you know when there are issues to be aware of.
  • You are on your own in terms of fraud checks and keeping up to date on scams happening in the industry.
  • You are on your own in terms of fraud checks and keeping up to date on scams happening in the industry.

NightsBridge Pay overview and application

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New to NightsBridge

Introduction and Chapters 8
Navigating NightsBridge & finding help - articles and guides 5
Managing bookings, payments & reporting - articles and guides 2
Using channels smartly - articles and guides 8
Global Online Travel Agents - articles and guides 15
Regional & Niche Channels - articles and guides 17
Tools to support your channel strategy - articles and guides 35
Your online presence & increasing direct bookings - articles and guides 6

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