Arrangement promises to deliver more efficient and secure experience for businesses

Hilton has announced a partnership with Conferma, a virtual card technology provider, to automate the integration of virtual card payment details into its property management system, claiming to be the first hotel group to do so. This technology will be implemented in thousands of Hilton properties globally, said the announcement, delivering a more efficient and secure experience for business travelers and corporations around the world.

This new solution, said the announcement, significantly reduces the manual process involved in using virtual corporate credit cards at hotels — which in the past would require receiving payment details through email or fax — and supports the growing need for frictionless travel and digital-first experiences. With the Conferma integration, said the announcement, over 400 TMCs and thousands of corporate clients will soon benefit from the increased efficiency, flexibility, control and security of using virtual card payments when traveling at Hilton properties worldwide.

Frank Passanante, global head of sales, Hilton, said, “As the first global hotel group to adopt this pioneering solution, Hilton is proud to lead the way in redefining the customer experience.” The integration, he said, “will enable the more seamless use of virtual corporate credit cards at our properties, which allows us to elevate our service even further, starting with an effortless check-in process, ensuring our corporate guests feel valued and cared for from the moment they arrive.”

Virtual cards are rapidly becoming the preferred choice in corporate travel payments, offering enhanced security, expense control and spend reconciliation, according to the announcement. Bookings made through Conferma’s platform generate a unique virtual card number, which will now be shared securely with Hilton’s property management system via API.  This solution enhances the check-in process and guest experience by:

• Streamlining the check-in process for travelers using virtual card payments, ensuring instant access to payment details within Hilton’s property management system.
• Eliminating the need for physical cards, with 79% of travel buyers viewing single-use virtual cards as effective in preventing fraud by external parties such as hackers or thieves.
• Helping to automate B2B payments, streamlining spend reconciliation, reducing manual work, and minimizing customer friction.

Jason Lalor, CEO, Conferma, said, “Together, we are taking virtual card technology to new heights, offering a more seamless, secure and stress-free solution that benefits business travelers and their corporate finance teams, travel managers, travel management companies and hoteliers alike.”

Sébastien Bardin, vice president, product management, American Express Global Business Travel, said, “This automated technology gives business travelers even more choices for simplified, convenient and secure virtual payment options and most importantly, a seamless experience.”

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