We’re leading the way as one of the first TMCs to adopt Conferma’s new Virtual Card Performance Index (VPI), an innovative global benchmark designed to make hotel payment performance more visible across corporate programmes. Conferma is our virtual payments provider, and the VPI will support more informed hotel sourcing decisions and help our customers maximise the value of their travel programmes.
Conferma launched the VPI alongside its first global benchmark report, creating a new objective standard for measuring payment reliability at hotel level.
The VPI gives each eligible hotel a score from 1 to 10, based on how consistently virtual card payments are handled. Scores are calculated at property level, with parent-group views layered on top, and refreshed monthly to reflect performance over time.
As an early adopter, we will work with Conferma to embed VPI insights into hotel sourcing, booking, and servicing workflows, helping customers identify hotels that consistently deliver reliable virtual card payment experiences. Once integrated into our booking platforms, customers will be able to see a property's VPI score during the booking process. This will help travel bookers and programme teams choose hotels with greater confidence, reduce payment friction, and support a more seamless traveller experience.
Customers will also be able to use VPI data during hotel programme sourcing and RFP activity. By identifying hotels that consistently process virtual card payments successfully, travel buyers can make more informed supplier decisions, strengthen programme performance, and support objectives around operational efficiency, traveller experience, and payment control.
“This is the first time the industry has had a shared benchmark for payment performance. That changes how we evaluate suppliers, and how we deliver value to corporate travel programmes,” said Pat McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer at Clarity.
Clarity is proud to be one of the early adopters helping to bring this capability to market. Conferma’s VPI benchmark report provides the first aggregated view of virtual card performance across the hotel sector. It highlights strong performers, variability across the market, and identifies the clear gap between acceptance and reliable execution.
“The industry has focused on acceptance. But acceptance doesn’t equal performance,” said Mark Ledsham, CEO at Conferma. “Visibility is the key to unlocking the real impact of reliable payments – and Conferma’s VPI gives the industry a clear, objective benchmark."
We’re excited to keep working with Conferma to explore new ways to enhance the booking experience and help our customers make smarter hotel programme decisions.
