Running a travel company can feel like walking a tightrope. With competition at an all time high, the pressure to reduce prices has left margins across the industry razor thin. Whether you’re a Travel Management Company (TMCs), Tour Operator, or an Online Travel Agency (OTA), it’s always a good time to think about increasing your margins.
For years, the business banking relationship was anchored by the business checking account. Today, that anchor has come loose. As fintechs capture a growing and significant share of the B2B card market, banks are realizing that business customers no longer want a place to store money. They want tools that actively help them run their business.
For bank leaders responsible for card programs, the build vs. buy debate has historically been a question of control. Today, control has a new definition: market relevance. The leading fintech challengers in business banking and spend management have collectively built over $130 billion in enterprise value in under a decade. The risk for banks is no longer vendor dependency. The risk is spending years in a development backlog while competitors lock up distribution, data, and customer expectations.
Insurance fraud is changing. With AI-generated invoices, synthetic identities, and automated resubmissions, insurance fraudsters now move at superspeed. Yet many insurers still rely on reactive controls and legacy systems: scanning documents, reconciling spreadsheets, and investigating claims only after funds have left the account. In this environment, traditional fraud detection is always one step behind.
In travel, speed matters. But when it comes to cross-border supplier payments, complexity often slows you down, costs you money and leaves you vulnerable to bad actors. FX volatility, regulatory requirements, fraud risk, and settlement delays all add pressure to your operations and your margins.
In travel, revenue can grow quickly, but margins are harder to protect. Rising supplier costs, FX fluctuations, payment fees, fraud risk, and manual processes can impact your efficiency and profitability, even when booking volumes are strong.
For modern marketing agencies, ad spend management is a core operational discipline. Agencies run multiple client accounts across platforms like Google Ads, Meta (Facebook) Ads, LinkedIn, TikTok, and programmatic networks, often managing hundreds of thousands (or millions) in monthly paid media budgets. Without the right payment infrastructure and credit card controls, overspend, reconciliation issues, and margin leakage become real risks.
Managing cash flow as a tour operator is a constant balancing act. You’re paying hotels, transport providers, and activity partners often before or at the same time as you receive full payment from your customers. At the same time, you’re juggling seasonality, deposits, cancellations, and tight supplier deadlines.
Efficient finance operations aren’t about micromanaging spend. They’re about giving your team clear visibility, automating repetitive work, and making month-end close predictable instead of stressful. When your systems connect properly, finance becomes smoother, faster, and far less reactive.
Marketing agencies face continuous, and significant, pressure on margins. Media costs rise. Clients negotiate harder. Operational complexity increases. While performance optimization is critical, profitability isn’t only determined by campaign results: it’s also shaped by how your agency manages spend.
Choosing the right corporate card provider is an important step toward building financial infrastructure that supports how your agency actually operates. As your marketing agency grows, so does the complexity of managing payments.
Every card payment your customers make can create a new stream of revenue for your business.
Every time a customer pays in a foreign currency, there is revenue potential. What looks like a small background fee can quickly add up to a steady income stream.
In enterprise AI, a RAG system's credibility hinges on verifiable source citations. Building a trustworthy pipeline requires integrating strict source tracking and hallucination checks across five key stages—ingestion, retrieval, generation, verification, and presentation—to maintain a transparent audit trail, mitigate errors, and ensure compliance.
In this post, we’ll explore how we designed and implemented a scalable, event-driven architecture based on Server-Side Events (SSE) to handle these kinds of user-facing workflows in real time.
A modern virtual card solution for employees is secure, transparent, and saves time for management, employees, and accountants through streamlined digital processes.
Travel Management Companies (TMCs) make business travel easy for their clients. A powerful modern corporate credit card solution ensures that TMCs’ internal processes and operations run equally smoothly.
In the constantly evolving landscape of financial services, card issuers are playing an increasingly important role. But what exactly does a card issuance provider do? Simply put, these entities are the engine behind the creation and management of payment cards. They offer businesses the tools to launch their own branded cards, either physically or digitally, opening up new opportunities for revenue, customer engagement, and financial management.
If you’re looking to expand your profit margins, and your customer base, by adding financial services to your portfolio, a credit card issued and branded by your company is certainly a goal to aspire to. However, without any experience of offering financial services, you might be wondering about the best way to issue credit cards and bolster your revenue streams. Fortunately, Cards-as-a-Service (CaaS) is the simple, effective option that brings your own card program within reach. Let’s look at the industries best suited to issue credit cards and whether your company could benefit too.
As TechCrunch so aptly put it, embedded finance is having a moment: banking, payments, and more are being continually integrated into the apps and platforms you already use. You’d be forgiven for thinking that controlling the means of payment would be a goldmine because, well… it is. In fact, more companies than ever are aiming to blur the lines between product and payment, and if you’ve found this post, yours might be among them.
They call it “the future of finance” – the ability of non-financial companies to offer financial products and maximize their profits – and a popular way to make the most of the embedded finance boom is to launch a credit card. It’s a big step, but starting the journey to a credit card program is simpler than you think. So, how do you launch a credit card? And is it a worthwhile step for your company?
If you’re looking to capitalize on the ongoing embedded finance boom, a white label credit card is likely near the top of your wishlist. However, there's more than one way to expand your horizons – and grow your profit margins – by adding a payment solution to your products and services. In fact, the big question is probably one you haven’t thought of yet: do you need a white label credit card or an embedded payment solution?
Pliant and Intertours announce a strategic partnership to streamline business travel payments with Intertours Pay.
Hello, I'm Niko, the Principal Product Designer at Pliant. In my role, I spearhead the product design, constantly striving to elevate our product to the next level. My primary focus is on ensuring that our product remains scalable, flexible, and consistent, key qualities that are essential in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
As an intermediary, success in the travel industry is all about efficiency: moving your slice of the billion-dollar market from your customers to your suppliers, and keeping as healthy a margin as possible for yourself. In an environment where seamless transactions and operational efficiency are must-haves, the travel industry is undergoing rapid changes in financial technology (fintech): with innovative solutions to make transactions faster, easier, and more profitable. At Pliant, payment automation for travel companies is an area we’re passionate about – because we’re helping customers around the world implement the tools they need to maximize their gains.
For business or leisure, there’s money to be made in the travel industry – but success in this highly competitive segment demands the right strategy and the right business structure. In recent years, the transition of travel companies – especially online travel agencies (OTAs) – to the Merchant of Record (MoR) model has been a notable shift of focus: enabling more control over cash flow and the potential for higher profitability.
Working capital is important for every business, but in the hyper-competitive travel industry, it can be the difference between struggling for survival and sustained success. In a sector that’s more vulnerable than most to the impacts of new technology, global events, and macroeconomic trends, the challenges facing your travel company are continually evolving – and the ability to stay flexible can be your biggest asset.
Most would consider the birth of the public cloud to be 2006, when Amazon Cloud Services (AWS) launched its S3 cloud storage, followed by EC2 cloud computing soon after. The birth of cloud computing allowed startups and smaller organizations, such as FinTechs, to build and publish their own product and services in a way that is easy to launch and scale up when necessary. Unfortunately, there were few incidents that followed, where cloud storages were not secured properly, which caused massive data breaches. Following these incidents, some began to doubt the security of cloud services. At Pliant, we believe that proper controls should be in place no matter where the data is stored, and our recently acquired ISO 27001 certification is the proof of our commitment to the highest information security and risk management practices.
In the dynamic realm of digital marketing, navigating Google Ads billing efficiently is essential for smooth financial operations. Traditional credit cards often fall short in providing the flexibility and functionality required for the complex transactions in Google Ads spending, but modern credit card solutions like Pliant are tailored to meet these needs.
Introducing a partnership that maximizes the advantages of Pliant’s credit cards and Klippa’s SpendControl tool.
We are proud to announce our strategic partnership with Mobilexpense, the European tech group headquartered in Brussels, specializing in streamlining expense management for enterprises and SMEs alike.
Pliant and Bezala bring end-to-end business payment management capabilities to companies in Finland to greatly simplify their ability to make payments and reconcile their expenses.
For many businesses, introducing a new payment method into their financial processes can be a significant challenge. It's essential not only to integrate it into existing finance and accounting software but also to manage payments through the business account. There are business credit cards without an account that can be linked to an existing account, while others are only available with a specific account. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore in this article.
In a rapidly digitizing world, it's crucial for medium-sized businesses not to fall behind. This is precisely where the newly formed partnership between Pliant and unitex comes into play. With 800 members and over 1,900 retail locations in Germany, unitex provides a broad platform for the textile retail industry. With Pliant as a partner, these businesses can significantly optimize their financial processes.
Companies choose to issue their own cards for a variety of strategic reasons, with the goal of improving the customer experience and driving revenue growth.
Companies today are seeking to enhance customer experiences and expand their service offerings by launching card programs, including credit, debit, and prepaid cards. These programs offer a range of benefits that cater to the expectations of modern customers.
Corporations have complex financial processes that are often vulnerable to security risks. Fortunately, Pliant delivers streamlined processes, greater control, and valuable benefits by addressing common challenges organizations face with payment solutions and expense tracking.
Software resellers play a crucial role in ensuring their clients have access to the best software solutions available. However, operating as the intermediary between wholesalers and end customers presents its fair share of challenges, including currency fluctuations and high exchange rates.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies have revolutionized the way we purchase and use software, but they face unique challenges when it comes to business payments. Fortunately, Pliant's modern virtual credit cards accelerate operations and empower SaaS companies with more control, flexibility, and efficiency in their payment processes.
Marketing agencies’ expenses can climb high. Digital marketing campaigns especially tie up large sums. To keep their competitive edge and daily operations running smoothly, digital credit cards with high credit limits are an absolute must.
Corporations face many challenges when it comes to managing their payments efficiently and securely. But the emergence of virtual credit cards has changed the game, offering a convenient and effective solution.
Embedded Finance has emerged as a dynamic force in the rapidly evolving world of financial technology. However, certain misconceptions and myths have surfaced along with its growing popularity.
Time is an invaluable resource for busy entrepreneurs. Previously e-commerce companies had to rely on traditional banks with rigid, time-consuming processes. Fortunately, Pliant's virtual credit cards and seamless integrations have significantly accelerated operations in the e-commerce industry.
In today's fast-paced digital age, the landscape of financial services has undergone a remarkable shift, extending far beyond the confines of traditional banks. Embedded financial services are transforming the interactions between businesses and consumers with financial products and services.
When it comes to payments and business expenses, e-commerce operators face unique challenges. Debit cards can’t keep up with frequent transactions? Credit limit runs out, right when your digital marketing campaign is starting to gain traction? Corporate credit cards with high limits and generous cashback rewards can make your life easier.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies have revolutionized the way businesses operate by providing cost-effective and scalable software solutions. But as these companies continue to grow, it's critical for them to streamline financial processes such as receipt management and transaction tracking to ensure efficiency without compromising their data security.
Marketing agencies have been instrumental in the way businesses approach advertising and promotions. Their expertise in creating compelling multichannel campaigns has helped companies of all sizes and industries reach their audiences and grow their customer bases.
Your business trip is over, and now it’s time to draft up a travel report. Why does your manager ask for a business trip report? And what should a good report include? Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about how to write a travel report.
With more and more entrepreneurs choosing to start online businesses, there has been a significant shift towards e-commerce in recent years, and for good reason. Statista reports that the European e-commerce market is projected to surpass the one trillion dollar mark in revenue by 2027, reflecting its continued rapid growth and dynamism.
A business bank account isn’t always mandatory, but it is helpful. Get the best tips to find the right bank account for your business in Germany.
Software resellers play an important role in helping organizations find the right software to meet their needs and goals. Simply put, they are experts at helping businesses of all sizes navigate the complex software landscape, choose the right solutions for their needs, and get the most out of their software investments. But like any other industry, these companies also need help streamlining their own operations and payment processes.
Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are used by more and more companies today. In addition, there has been an increase in the adoption of digital payments across a wide range of industries.
Many businesses still resort to manual processes to keep track of expenses, but as operations scale up, things might get too complicated. The old ways are sometimes the best. But, in this article, we'll show you why expense management automation is so much better than the manual approach. Read on!
After a careful credit check, each credit card applicant receives an individual credit card limit. In this guide, you’ll learn what credit card issuers take into account in their credit assessment and why a high credit limit isn’t always a good thing.
A corporate credit card is the best way for businesses to pay for expenses like marketing, software, and cloud services. And when the credit card features a cashback rewards program, the popular payment method becomes even more attractive.
Whether it’s a taxi to the conference venue, a parking ticket in the parking garage, or lunch with clients – every business has expenses. You can pay a lot of business expenses with a company credit card, but sometimes employees might have to use their own funds to cover an unexpected cost. And that means the company has to make a reimbursement.
In 2023, while the European Central Bank is raising its target interest rates, negative interest rates might seem like a distant reality. But it was only recently that they were still perfectly normal. Learn everything about negative interest rate policy (NIRP) and how your business can avoid losing money if times of negative interest rates return.
Germany is a particularly inviting destination for online entrepreneurs and retailers. The country boasts a substantial and expanding eCommerce industry, with nearly 70 million individuals shopping online and generating around $100 billion in eCommerce revenue. (source: Statista)
Compared to other payment methods, virtual credit cards have numerous advantages. They're quick to create and issue, and you can use them instantly. To help you find the best virtual credit card for your business, we put together an extensive overview of the benefits, risks, and costs related to this digital payment method.
When a company applies for a corporate credit card, a credit check plays an important role. Credit agencies, such as Schufa in Germany, help credit card providers assess the applicant’s creditworthiness. But how does the credit check work? And can an employee receive a corporate credit card even if they have a Schufa entry? In this article, we answer these and other important credit-related questions.
Black credit cards differ from other payment cards in more ways than just by their unique color. These luxurious elite cards come with exclusive benefits and numerous extra amenities. Read on to learn what requirements you have to meet to qualify for a black credit card – and is it worth the hype?
Success requires capital disbursement, but it’s important to keep track of expenses. That’s why intelligent businesses invest in spend management.
In this day and age, it is crucial for businesses to develop an effective strategy to reduce their carbon footprint. Fortunately, we’ve gathered the best tips for turning your business into a green company in 2023.
Whether you’ll have someone from your employees flying across the country to a conference, trade show, or team building event, knowing the basics of business travel management will allow you to make the most of your budget and your employees' valuable time.
In this article, we will show you what it takes to build and maintain a pleasant environment for your hybrid or fully remote workforce.
Whether you're interested in starting a business or expanding your operations to Germany, making sure your company is GoBD compliant should be one of your top priorities. In this quick read, we’ll address the most relevant aspects you should consider before taking the big leap into the German market.
Since the start of the Pliant journey in 2020, everyone at the company has been focused on making the most forward-thinking card payment platform that helps businesses grow. For over two years, we’ve been demonstrating that credit cards are a reliable and scalable payment method that benefits all kinds of businesses, especially those with high spending needs.
Although bookkeeping and accounting go hand in hand, it is important to understand that each plays a different and important role in an organization. Tax compliance and financial affairs are intimidating topics for most freelancers and business owners alike, and rightly so. In the early stages of their business journey, many entrepreneurs venture into running their own finances to minimize costs. However, this can lead to unfortunate situations that can easily be prevented with the guidance of a professional in the field. So, who do you trust with one of the most precious aspects of your business, a bookkeeper or an accountant? Scroll down to find out!
Technology is advancing at lightning speed and it's sometimes hard to keep up. We get it. But considering the recent growth in the use of digital wallets, we took it upon ourselves to run a survey on LinkedIn to find out the frequency in which our network makes payments with these tools.
Contactless and mobile payments have been around for a while now, but it's no secret that they have gained great popularity in recent years. One of the causes that accelerated the use of digitized payments was undoubtedly the Covid-19 outbreak. And it seems that this form of payment is here to stay.
There is more to the CVV code than meets the eye. We dare to assume that most cardholders are aware of the security functionality of the much-talked-about 3 (sometimes 4)-digit code. But beyond addressing the obvious security functionalities of this code, we want to highlight other aspects that are of utmost importance.
