Seamless Journeys | How Virtual Cards & 24/7/365 Funding Are Streamlining Bookings

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📣 Editor’s Pick

✈️ Unlock Faster, Smarter Travel Payments

Managing payments isn’t just about processing transactions—it’s about building flexibility, control, and insight into every booking.

Whether you're an OTA, tour operator, or travel finance lead, Modulr's embedded payments infrastructure helps you:

• 💳 Issue virtual cards across currencies to optimise costs and supplier fees

• 🔁 Fund accounts 24/7/365 so you never miss a booking

• 🔒 Control spend with single-use cards and real-time authorisation

• 📊 Access granular reporting tailored for travel operations

With legacy systems struggling to keep up, now’s the time to upgrade to a solution built for always-on travel.

👉 Explore how modern travel finance teams are streamlining operations

🌟Sector Spotlight

TRAVEL INDUSTRY GROWTH

Prestige Travel Achieves 30% Growth in Departures for 2026 Amid Sales Surge

Prestige Travel has demonstrated remarkable business momentum, marking a 30% growth in departures for 2026. This expansion can be traced back to 2022, as sales consistently surged beyond the anticipated 15% annual growth, often reaching 20%. Much of this success stems from their robust trade partnerships, which account for a staggering 95% of their operations. Multi-centre trips to Croatia are soaring in popularity, while long-haul destinations like Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Canada are seeing a rise in interest.

This growth owes much to Prestige Travel’s commitment to listening to their agents. Hosting around 50 agents on a festive Thames cruise, managing director Darren Hollis underscored the importance of these partnerships. By actively surveying agents and incorporating their feedback, Prestige Travel has not only honoured existing relationships but is poised to foster new ones. Their efforts in increasing the average spending on long-hauls demonstrate a strategic adaptation to market trends, ensuring sustained growth and satisfaction.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Wizz Air Partners With Amex for Enhanced Travel Payment Flexibility

Wizz Air's new partnership with American Express (Amex) marks a strategic move as the airline embraces Amex Cards for bookings and onboard purchases. This integration offers enhanced flexibility and convenience for both business and leisure travellers, blending Wizz Air's ultra-low fares and expansive route network with Amex's renowned premium services and loyalty programmes. By expanding its acceptance footprint, Amex demonstrates its commitment to utility and flexibility in the travel sector.

Amex Cardmembers will benefit from seamless payment options on Wizz Air’s website and mobile app, alongside exclusive discounts through the Amex Offers platform. This collaboration is a step towards attracting more corporate travellers who value Amex's trusted reputation. The partnership also solidifies Amex's strong presence in the UK, complementing existing alliances with every major airline in the region and expanding acceptance across travel services. This initiative aligns with both companies' goals of catering to evolving customer needs with practical and rewarding financial solutions.

TOUR EXPANSION

Abercrombie & Kent Introduces New Small-Group Journeys to Diverse Global Destinations

Abercrombie & Kent has expanded its Small Group Journeys with five new itineraries that promise exclusive experiences and intimate encounters. Whether you're drawn to Brazil's vibrant carnival with its private samba classes and VIP parade views, or find Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats and Lake Titicaca enticing, there's something to pique curiosity. The China and Tibet tour offers a trek through iconic sites such as the Great Wall and Potala Palace, while Spain tempts with a paella-cooking class in Valencia. For those seeking adventure, Saudi Arabia and Jordan present desert explorations that boast unique cultural insights.

What's truly noteworthy is the careful curation of experiences – groups usually feature just 18 guests, allowing for a closer connection with local cultures. This small group format provides special access to sites and interactions you wouldn't find in larger tours. It's this personal touch, combined with behind-the-scenes encounters at places like historic landmarks and samba school warehouses, that makes these journeys particularly compelling for travellers wanting more than just sightseeing.

DIGITAL FINANCE EVOLUTION

J.P. Morgan Shares Insights into Digital Money Advancements at Money20/20 Europe

At Money20/20 Europe 2025, J.P. Morgan's Naveen Mallela discusses how digital money and universal ledgers are set to transform cross-border payments. The focus is on harnessing speed and cost-efficiencies while ensuring round-the-clock accessibility. Kinexys, the rebranded arm from Onyx, is working to consolidate the fragmented financial architecture into a unified, programmable ledger. This change could introduce new capabilities like instant settlements, which could significantly enhance market functionality.

Digital money forms like stablecoins, CBDCs, and tokenised deposits will coexist, each serving unique needs. In Asia, particularly, fintechs are swiftly adopting these solutions due to the complexities of managing various currencies. Mallela, a key figure behind Kinexys' initiatives, highlights the importance of a coherent digital money strategy for institutions today. The approach underscores how different digital currency forms can complement rather than compete, harmonising with existing money forms to address varied institutional demands.