From Fax to Fully Connected: Conferma Accelerates Travel Payment Modernisation

Conferma Connect Direct is emerging as the preferred solution for integrating virtual card delivery into hotel systems. As business travel picks up around the world, this automated hotel payment system provides a scalable infrastructure that eliminates manual handoffs and makes operations more efficient.

Virtual cards are now the preferred payment method for corporate hotel stays — but they  only deliver on their promise when systems are well connected. Many hotel payments still  rely on a patchwork of methods, and there’s a growing need for more consistent,  automated delivery embedded in the ecosystem. 

As business travel rebounds to $1.5 trillion1, there’s a clear need for scalable, digital-first  infrastructure. Enter Conferma Connect Direct — Conferma’s API that delivers virtual cards  directly into hotel systems. 

Hotel groups including Omni Hotels & Resorts, Strawberry, Thon Hotels and Wyndham  Hotels & Resorts, property management systems Mews and SynXis Property Hub, and  agencies like BCD Travel, CWT, and Flight Centre Travel Group are actively working with  Conferma on plans to scale the solution globally. 

Infrastructure, Not Experiments 

Conferma Connect Direct eliminates outdated manual handoffs by integrating virtual card  delivery into hotel property management and central reservation systems. 

• Real-time delivery 
• No manual entry 
• Automated invoice reconciliation 

“This isn’t just about replacing the fax machine,” said Jason Lalor, CEO of Conferma. “It’s  about building infrastructure that makes virtual card acceptance seamless, secure, and  scalable. Our partners aren’t experimenting. They’re scaling, because this works.” 

Built for the Digital Traveller 

Travellers expect fully digital journeys2 — yet hotels still face outdated workflows behind  

World Travel & Tourism Council, WTTC Business Travel Forecast, 2024,  

https://wttc.org/news/business—travel—set—to—surpass—pre—pandemic—levels—to—reach—a— record—us1—5—trillion—in—2024 

Hilton, 2024 Trends Report, https://stories.hilton.com/2024trends—connectivity—personalization

the scenes. Conferma Connect Direct solves this by delivering real-time payments that  reduce fraud, cut operational costs, and improve the guest experience. 

Where Travel, Tech and Payments Connect 

Part of Conferma Connect, the trusted infrastructure linking global banks, hotels, and TMCs,  Connect Direct is already integrated across 90,000+ hotels and 90+ card issuers — modernising virtual card acceptance for the entire ecosystem. 

Partners Confirm the Impact 

Mr. Kjetil Smette, Managing Director, Thon Hotels, said, “Integrating virtual card technology  strengthens our ability to innovate and collaborate, creating smoother operations and added  value throughout the travel chain.” 

“Virtual card acceptance remains a challenge across the travel industry —and overcoming it  requires collective action,” said Neil Fyfe, Head of Payment Solutions, BCD Travel. “Our  partnership with Conferma marks a critical step forward in scaling direct delivery, reducing  front-desk friction, streamlining reconciliation and tax reclaim, and ultimately driving  innovation across the sector.” 

“Truly solving long-standing payment inefficiencies in travel demands bold partnerships,  seamless integration, and smart technology that put clients and guests first,” added Michael  Wirth, Senior Director, Global Payments, CWT. “This improves the guest experience above  all – while also supporting a more consistent, end-to-end payment journey for our clients.” 

“With Conferma integrating directly into hotel systems, we’re delivering faster payments,  fewer errors, and greater control to our clients,” added Melissa Elf, Global Chief Operating  Officer, Flight Centre Corporate. 

GBTA NAM Preview: Saying Goodbye to Fax — Permanently  

At GBTA Denver, Conferma will unveil plans to phase out fax delivery by 2026 — a decisive  move toward fully digital travel payments. 

“This is about more than tech,” said Lalor. “It’s about building trust, driving collaboration,  and delivering the infrastructure the travel industry needs.” 

Join the Movement 

“Conferma Connect Direct solves the delivery problem,” Lalor added, “but true  transformation requires the full ecosystem — hotels, TMCs, aggregators, and PMS providers  — working together. We’re inviting partners to help build a frictionless, connected future.” 

With Conferma Connect Direct, the future of business travel payments will be more connected, seamless, and safe, which will help the whole travel tech ecosystem.