Pitchup.com streamlines payments via Stripe

Another first from Pitchup.com: seamless payment system

Benefits suppliers and customers

Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com is making it easier for small business accommodation providers to manage their cash flow with the introduction of a smoother payment system.

This month, Pitchup.com has launched ‘Payup’, an integration with payments company Stripe which allows accommodation providers to link their bank account to the Pitchup.com system, so that payments from customers can be triggered and transferred automatically.

Dan Yates, Pitchup.com founder, said: “Our new payment system is efficient and safe for both our customers and our suppliers, and ensures speedier payments for accommodation businesses than our previous system. It’s a secure solution that removes the need for customers to contact the camping or caravan site to settle the balance, reducing administration as well as streamlining the entire process.”

The payments are powered by Stripe, the most advanced payment platform for the internet.  Founded in 2009 by two Irish entrepreneurs, Stripe is a quick and secure way to accept credit card and debit card payments from anywhere in the world instantly. Stripe bills a customer’s card and programmatically separates the payment into the proper portions: transferring the deposit to Pitchup.com and the balance to the park owner. The balance is billed to the customer on the due date specified on confirmation of booking and no further action is required from customers or site owners.

“We’re very excited about working with Pitchup.com and providing park owners a simple and elegant way to accept payments instantly,” said John Collison, president and co-founder of Stripe.

Pitchup.com is encouraging its accommodation provider partners to sign up, which can be done in a matter of minutes via a single-page application form, to enjoy the benefits, including:

• No need to chase customers for payment – payment is billed automatically

• Reduction in losses from no-shows

• No need to copy down payment card details from customer

• No concerns about storing card details in a way that complies with PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards

• Payments pass straight into provider’s payment account, bypassing Pitchup.com’s account

• Reduced paperwork: Pitchup.com booking confirmation sets out the entire transaction

• Full reporting via Stripe and Pitchup.com interfaces

• Automatic VAT accounting

• Lower commission rates versus setting up their own merchant account

In addition, suppliers who sign up to Payup will enjoy a higher ranking in Pitchup.com’s search results than those yet to adopt the system, meaning they will be found more easily by customers using ‘pay in full’ filters.

Yates said: “This is another first for Pitchup.com and one that makes life easier for our suppliers, many of whom are small businesses. Pitchup.com is the first UK tourism company to use Stripe Connect, which shows that as we approach our fifth anniversary we continue to innovate and introduce measures that benefit our customers and our suppliers.”

He added: “Payup enables us to link bank account details of our accommodation providers, meaning they get paid automatically once a customer has booked. It means that our suppliers don’t need to chase customers for payment, can reduce paperwork and no-shows, and can generate more bookings as it’s so much easier for customers to arrange their holiday, particularly if they’re booking late.”

“Most of Pitchup.com’s outdoor accommodation sites are currently in the UK – where the Payup service currently operates - with other countries being added to the Payup network over the course of this year, so very soon all of our providers will be able to sign up to the service.”

-ends-

For media information

Cass Helstrip, Samantha Marsh or Rob Bates at White Tiger PR

Cass.helstrip@whitetigerpr.com 07968 255464

Samantha.marsh@whitetigerpr.com 07711 265666

rob.bates@whitetigerpr.com 07957 316491

Notes to editors

Payup/Stripe Q&A

Q: Who is Stripe?

A: Stripe is an online payments company founded in 2010 by Irish brothers John and Patrick Collison based in San Francisco. It was recently valued at US$1.75bn and is backed by some of the leading investors in the online sector (https://stripe.com/about/press). Clients, who include Rackspace, theguardian, Salesforce CRM software and Virgin Pure (https://stripe.com/gallery), can accept payments in 130 currencies. 

Q: Where is it available?

A: Stripe is currently available in Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. Switzerland is coming soon, followed by other countries over the course of this year.

Q: Will this apply to bookings made in the past?

A: No, only bookings made after accommodation providers sign up for direct payments will have the balance billed automatically.

Q: When is payment made?

A: Payments are made directly to a provider’s bank account and Stripe will pay these on a seven-day rolling basis. 

Notes to editors

About Pitchup.com

Founded in 2009 by former lastminute.com man, Dan Yates, multi-award winning Pitchup.com is a free guide to all types of outdoor accommodation in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland and Switzerland.  Pitchup.com, which currently lists over 5,800 sites, provides users with a simple platform in which they can search and book an outdoor holiday with total ease: the customer experience from landing on the homepage through to booking a holiday can be

completed in as little as four pages.  The site also goes beyond traditional searches by allowing users to search for accommodation based on more than 80 criteria, such as adults only and campfires allowed, and view nearby events, Good Pub Guide pubs and VisitBritain attractions.  It’s also possible to check out water bathing water quality in the surrounding area with data provided by the European Environment Agency.  Users can also search on the offers page to find the best deals available.

In 2013 Pitchup.com became the first business of its type to launch a bookable mobile site and app, making the site easily accessible to users of iPhones and other mobile and tablet devices.  The mobile site now accounts for 15% of bookings.

Pitchup.com enables users to search for all types of parks and sites from the major brands right through to one-off campsites and unique outdoor accommodation options, which may not have previously had a web presence.

Awards include Best UK Travel Website of the Year at the British Travel Press Awards 2011, and most recently best Travel / Leisure / Sports / Mobile Strategy / Campaign at the Marketing on Mobile Awards 2014.

About Stripe Connect

To find out more about Stripe Connect, click here: https://stripe.com/connect