When an agency manages international bookings, payment can become a sticking point: guests may not recognize the currency, can't find their usual payment method, or abandon the process due to lack of trust. At the same time, the team needs to handle payments, refunds, and reconciliations without adding unnecessary tools or manual tasks.
Planet Payments is natively integrated into Avantio Payments and allows you to accept payments in different currencies and through popular international methods. Guests can pay in their local currency using Multiple Currency Pricing (MCP), while the agency receives the funds in their account and manages everything from Avantio.
What will you learn in this article?
You'll discover the strategic value of Planet Payments, scenarios where it can help you improve conversion and guest experience, and the key points to consider before starting the sign-up and onboarding process.
Advantages
More familiar payment experience: guests can pay in their local currency using MCP.
Greater international reach: supports methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal depending on availability.
Centralized operations: native integration with Avantio Payments' workflows and automations.
More control and traceability: payments and refunds are managed from the PMS without exposing full card details.
Transparent terms: personalized proposal, no activation or maintenance fees, and no hidden charges as outlined in the provided documentation.
Specialized support: assistance during the proposal, risk analysis, onboarding, and go-live phases.
When should you use this solution?
You should consider Planet Payments if you want to reduce friction for international guests, expand available payment methods, automate recurring payments, or centralize payment management within Avantio.
Before you start
It's a good idea to review the following beforehand:
The countries and markets where your business operates, as availability must be confirmed before proceeding.
The percentage of domestic and international bookings and the most common currencies your guests use.
The payment methods most requested by your customers.
The approximate volume of transactions, refunds, and chargebacks.
The payment automations you want to apply to web bookings and channel bookings.
It's also recommended to involve those responsible for administration, finance, bookings, and compliance from the start.
Countries and markets supported by Planet Payments
Planet operates in the following markets:
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Netherlands
Portugal
United Kingdom
Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Follow these steps
Contact Avantio's specialized payments team to confirm Planet's availability in your market. Email them at [email protected] .
Request a personalized commercial proposal and review the pricing structure and benefits associated with MCP.
Prepare the necessary legal, company, banking, and operational documentation for risk analysis.
Complete onboarding with the help of the specialist team and define the payment automations that best fit your operations.
Run tests, review available reports, and validate the process before going live.
Expected outcome
The agency will have a more global and automated payment experience, integrated into Avantio. Guests will be able to use more familiar payment options and, when MCP is available, pay in their local currency. The internal team will have fewer manual tasks and greater control over payments, refunds, and reporting.
Recommended next steps
After understanding the strategy, review how Planet Payments will be implemented in your daily operations:
Decide which payments will be processed automatically and which will require manual intervention.
Review the payment schedule and expected fund receipt timeline.
Train the teams who will manage bookings, payment issues, refunds, and reconciliation.
Analyze booking conversion rates and the use of currencies and payment methods during the first few weeks.
Limitations and considerations
Planet is available in certain European markets; always confirm coverage before starting the process.
Economic terms are personalized based on each business's profile and risk.
Alternative payment methods may vary by country, contract, and configuration.
Tokenized cards from a previous provider are not automatically migrated to Planet.
Full card details and CVC codes are not visible in the VRMS; authorized payment and refund actions are performed from Avantio.
Best practices
Regularly review conversion rates and booking abandonment during the payment process.
Analyze which currencies and payment methods your guests actually use.
Only automate payments that are clearly defined by your booking terms.
Don't make decisions based solely on commission: compare guest experience, automation, support, coverage, and operational workload.
Clearly communicate payment, cancellation, refund, and chargeback policies.
Case study 1
Challenge:
An agency with high international demand notices guests abandoning payment because they don't recognize the currency or can't find their usual payment method.
Analysis:
Friction occurs at the final step of a booking that's already been secured, directly impacting conversion.
Strategic decision:
The agency activates Planet Payments with MCP and alternative methods available for its main markets.
Expected outcome:
A more familiar checkout experience, fewer abandoned payments, and more completed bookings.
Case study 2
Challenge:
The admin team spends too much time checking due dates and manually processing second payments.
Analysis:
The process relies on reminders and increases the risk of delays or mistakes.
Strategic decision:
The agency sets up payment automations in Avantio Payments and keeps manual review only for exceptions.
Expected outcome:
Less repetitive work, more timely payments, and better traceability.
Related features
Avantio Payments: overview
Payment automation
Payment and refund management
Setting payment terms and schedules
Transaction reporting and reconciliation
Frequently asked questions
Is Planet available in all countries?
Is Planet available in all countries?
No. Availability depends on the market. Before starting the process, confirm with your Account Manager or the specialized payments team that Planet operates in your Company's country.
What is Planet's commission?
What is Planet's commission?
The proposal is personalized and depends on your business's profile, volume, and risk analysis. The sales team will provide you with a transparent pricing structure.
What does MCP bring to my business?
What does MCP bring to my business?
Multiple Currency Pricing allows guests to pay in their local currency when available, improving price clarity and the checkout experience. It can also generate an additional revenue stream linked to currency exchange, depending on the agreed terms.
Does Planet replace Avantio's payment management?
Does Planet replace Avantio's payment management?
No. Planet acts as a payment provider integrated into Avantio Payments, so it uses its workflows, automations, and management tools.