Global Payments, one of the world’s largest card processing providers, is rolling out Discover Global Network acceptance to enable its UK customers to take five major international cards. Global Payments in the UK (formerly HSBC Merchant Services) was acquired by Global Payments Inc. in 2009 and specialises in card payment processing for merchants ranging in size from multinationals to owner-managed businesses.
Accept cards from a vastly increased number of international visitors
The upgrade, which will take place from November, will allow customers to accept cards from a vastly increased number of international visitors and benefit from increased spend while they are in the UK.
The new technology is designed to allow retailers and hospitality outlets to attract greater numbers and spend from international visitors to the UK. This group spent £13.7 billion in the UK between January and August 2013, and a milestone £20 billion over the past year.
The Discover Global Network includes Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. It also includes Discover Card, the sixth largest US card issuer.
The upgrade also opens up opportunities from emerging markets. The network includes RuPay, owned by the 10 largest banks in India and the BC Global Card, which is the largest card network in South Korea. In Europe it also incorporates DinaCard, the Serbian national payment card network.
In addition, it will position customers to benefit from corporate spend in the UK from Diners Club International cardholders.
The rollout follows the successful launch of Union Pay acceptance by Global Payments in 2012, which enabled Chinese visitors to use their cards in the UK for the first time.
Capture a greater share of visitor spend
Chris Davies, Managing Director, Global Payments said:
“As we see significant growth in the number of international visitors to the UK, this technology will position our customers to capture a greater share of the money they spend whilst they are here.
“Acceptance of the full Discover Global Network opens huge opportunities for the businesses we work with in potential revenues, while improving their customer service for international guests.”
Greater convenience for card members
Gerry Wagner, Vice President of Global Acceptance at Discover, said:
“The UK is a key tourist and business person destination, and this opportunity will increase our international presence and provide even more convenient payment options for our overseas travelling cardmembers. Merchants will be able to accept a wider range of payments and access new cardholders as a result of this significant advancement in Discover Global Network acceptance.”
About Global Payments
Global Payments in the UK (formerly HSBC Merchant Services) was acquired by Global Payments Inc. in 2009 and specialises in card payment processing for merchants ranging in size from multinationals to owner-managed businesses. Every year Global Payments Inc. processes billions of transactions for over one million merchant locations worldwide.
Global Payments terminals feature some of the most up-to-date technology in the industry, and comprehensive services include alternative payment methods from contactless cards to near-field communication (NFC) enabled mobile phones, stickers and wristbands.
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