Now, properties in Malaysia can receive payments for bookings from channels directly in the Exely extranet.

Most bookings come to properties from online distribution channels (OTA). At the same time, receiving funds from these channels involves a number of challenges:

• If a property in Malaysia uses bank transfer as the method of receiving funds from an OTA, the funds are credited with a delay, since most OTAs make payouts according to a fixed schedule (for example, once a month). Combined with withdrawal fees, this method of receiving revenue is inefficient.

• When virtual cards (VCC) are used to transfer funds, it becomes necessary to install a bank terminal and perform manual operations by staff. Working with a terminal involves risks related to the human factor, including:

  • delays in funds being credited to the property, since each booking may have its own funds availability date. Tracking these dates is practically impossible, so in most cases the funds are charged only after the guest’s check-out, despite the possibility of earlier collection;

  • violations of OTA rules if a transaction is processed outside the permitted timeframe or for an incorrect amount;

  • violations of bank terminal usage rules by dishonest staff, which may lead to termination of terminal service by the bank and reputational risks with OTA.

• If an OTA does not take responsibility for collecting payments from guests, the property faces non-guaranteed bookings and cancellations without the ability to apply a no-show fee.

The PayConnect functionality addresses these challenges by allowing properties to:

• automate the process of collecting payments for bookings made through OTAs with a bank card guarantee;

• automate the transfer of funds from an OTA to the property when the OTA collects payments from guests.

Property staff do not have access to bank card details, which eliminates the human factor. The system automatically charges funds:

• from a virtual card (VCC) strictly at the moment permitted by OTA rules, which speeds the receipt of funds by the property;

• from the guest’s card as a prepayment in accordance with OTA rate rules, if the guest’s card details are passed to the property. This reduces the chance of booking cancellations and allows you to effectively manage the risks related to cancellations and no-shows.

PayConnect works only with bookings from Booking.com, Expedia (only if "Expedia Collect" payment model is used) and Agoda (only if "Pay to Agoda" payment model is used) and allows you to:

• process VCCs optimally;

• automatically receive payment for bookings with a bank card guarantee before check-in, reducing the risk of cancellations;

• respond quickly to payment errors, preventing room inventory downtime during high season.

To use PayConnect functionality, a property must have:

• an active subscription to Exely Channel Manager;

• an active subscription to Exely Payment Links;

• an active subscription to Exely Payment Hub;

• a contract with Xendit payment system.

To connect PayConnect, contact your Customer Support manager or Exely Customer Support team.