Amadeus touts more secure airline payment solution

Amadeus Agent Pay has been launched, a solution said to makes airline call centre bookings more secure by removing payment information from the conversation, and which can also accept alternative payment methods that see growing popularity in recent years.

With call centres remaining a significant channel and accounting for 15 per cent of total airline bookings, according to Amadeus, airlines have had to trade off security against convenience when taking payment in this channel.

Not only were customers required to give their card details over the phone, either to an agent or an automated voice system, they were also limited to just card payments unlike other channels which offer multiple payment methods.

Amadeus claims its new solution addresses these limitations by allowing airline agents to send their customers a link, via SMS or email, to a secure webpage. The customer can then complete the payment from their smartphone, tablet or PC. Meanwhile the ticket is kept on hold, and issued automatically once the payment is completed.

Read more...