Checkout.com has announced a strategic partnership with Visa to launch card issuing capabilities for merchants across the UK and Europe, aiming to streamline payments and improve capital efficiency for businesses, particularly in the travel sector.

The collaboration will see Checkout.com issue both physical and virtual Visa cards on behalf of its merchants, leveraging Visa’s global payment network. By integrating Checkout.com’s technology, which processes tens of billions of transactions annually, with Visa’s infrastructure, the partnership is designed to provide instant access to acquired funds, eliminating the need for pre-funding and accelerating cash flow for merchants.

For travel businesses, which often face fragmented and complex payment processes, the new card issuing solution is expected to address key challenges. The offering allows funds collected from consumers to be immediately available for paying suppliers, enhancing spend control and reducing operational friction.

Antony Cahill, chief executive officer of Visa Europe, commented: “This is a significant partnership that will bring huge benefits to European merchants. At Visa, we recognise the unique challenges faced by the travel industry when it comes to managing payments and cash flow. Our partnership with Checkout.com brings powerful card issuing solutions to the sector, enabling travel businesses to operate with greater efficiency, reduced friction and improved capital management.”

Guillaume Pousaz, chief executive officer of Checkout.com, said: “Our new issuing partnership with Visa presents a major opportunity for merchants. By harnessing the power of Checkout’s acquiring and issuing, we eliminate the need for pre-funding, enable immediate access to funds, and enhance cash flow management. This not only improves operational efficiency but also unlocks growth potential and business performance.”

The new capabilities are expected to be particularly beneficial for e-commerce and travel merchants, who will gain improved treasury management and greater flexibility in their payment operations.

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