HBX Group and Mastercard have launched a new virtual payment programme aimed at simplifying how travel intermediaries pay suppliers, including those supporting meetings and events travel.
The programme uses the Mastercard Wholesale Programme, a virtual card system designed for high-volume B2B travel payments. It allows intermediaries to issue virtual cards for supplier payouts, replacing bank transfers and other manual payment methods.
Partners in the EU, UK and US can now pay suppliers instantly, reconcile transactions automatically and manage multiple currencies more easily. The system also offers greater visibility over cash flow, built-in fraud protection and optional financing and payment guarantees.
For events professionals managing complex travel programmes, often involving multiple suppliers, currencies and short lead times, payment inefficiency remains a common operational bottleneck. HBX Group says the new system is designed to reduce that friction.
“Managing payments in travel remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges,” said Daniel Nordholm, chief information officer at HBX Group. “Intermediaries often deal with multiple currencies, fragmented supplier networks and manual reconciliation processes that create inefficiencies and risk. By combining Mastercard’s global payment expertise with our deep understanding of the travel industry, we are creating payment solutions that are not only efficient and secure, but truly designed around the operational needs of our partners. This new programme replaces traditional methods with automated, secure virtual card payments that provide a unique, traceable link between bookings and associated transactions.”
Chiara Quaia, senior vice-president, B2B Travel at Mastercard, said: “The launch of this new virtual card programme with HBX Group is a major step towards digitising the B2B travel industry and providing travel intermediaries with the speed, simplicity and security they have come to enjoy throughout much of their consumer lives.”