TerraPay and Sabre Corporation have entered into a significant multi-year strategic agreement aimed at enhancing instant cross-border payment capabilities for travel agencies and suppliers via the Sabre Direct Pay platform.
On February 16, 2026, TerraPay announced this partnership. The agreement allows agencies, airlines, and hotels to send instant bank transfers through TerraPay’s extensive network, which covers more than 155 receiving countries, 7.5 billion bank accounts, and 3.7 billion mobile wallets.
Approximately 30% of travel payments occur off-card and are routed through traditional payment channels, leading to delays and operational challenges for suppliers. This collaboration leverages Sabre Direct Pay’s distribution network with TerraPay’s cross-border infrastructure to offer both card-based and non-card payout options across international markets.
Instant Settlement Resolves Travel Supplier Issues
Travel suppliers face intricate global payment landscapes involving various banking systems, regulatory requirements, and currency conversion processes. The integration provides a unified solution for executing global fund transfers, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing operational efficiency.
Patricio Boccardo, Managing Director of Sabre Payments, highlighted that the partnership with TerraPay expands access to instant payments in over 155 countries, supporting quicker settlements and better cash flow. The emphasis is on providing practical solutions for managing cross-border payment complexities within the travel industry.
Valli Ardalan, Senior Vice President and Head of Europe at TerraPay, noted that collaborating with Sabre Direct Pay connects TerraPay to a substantial network in the global travel sector. This infrastructure facilitates fast, secure cross-border money transfers, alleviating persistent payment process friction for both suppliers and travelers.
Infrastructure for Cross-Border Payments in Travel
TerraPay operates one of the largest cross-border payment networks, regulated across more than 30 markets. The company provides instant, compliant money movement services through bank account transfers and mobile wallet connections.
Sabre Corporation supplies technological solutions for the travel industry, encompassing global distribution systems, airline reservation platforms, and payment processing services. Sabre Direct Pay offers payment tools specifically designed for travel agencies and suppliers handling international transactions.
The flow of travel payments involves a range of participants such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, travel management firms, and online travel agencies. Cross-border settlements necessitate adherence to diverse regulatory frameworks, foreign exchange management, and reconciliation among different banking systems.
Other cross-border payment providers in the travel space include Currencycloud (now part of Visa), Thunes, and Nium, which supply payment infrastructures for travel companies managing international supplier payments. Traditional correspondent banking networks process a substantial portion of cross-border travel payments via the SWIFT messaging infrastructure.
TerraPay’s mobile wallet connectivity caters to markets where bank account penetration is limited, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Travel suppliers operating in these regions can now offer alternative payment delivery methods reaching recipients without formal banking relationships.
