ACH vs Wire vs Card Payments (and Why You Need ACH)

SertifiPay customers are saving big with ACH, but I also come across properties who are hesitant to adopt it. You may be one of them, especially if you’re already satisfied sending wire instructions.

It helps to understand that you shouldn't be evaluating ACH payments against wires. You should evaluate ACH payments against cards.

When what would've been a card payment becomes an ACH payment (because you offer just as a secure, convenient way to pay via bank transfer as you do cards), that's where the savings lies – because we all know too well how costly card fees can be. In fact, properties can reduce their card fee burden up to 80% with ACH.

Let’s break it down with a couple scenarios, working under the assumption you're already accepting card payments online as ecommerce transactions.

Scenario A: Cards and Wire Instructions

Card = Convenient

Guests can instantly enter their card information into a form and securely send it to you.

Wire Instructions = Less Convenient

Guests must follow your manual steps to pay you (and absorb the wire fees).

Results = Higher Card Volume and Higher Fees for You

Even if a guest prefers bank transfers, they’ll opt for a card payment because it’s more convenient and secure.

Scenario B: Cards and ACH

Card = Convenient

Guests can instantly enter their card information into a form and securely send it to you.

ACH = Also Convenient

Guests can instantly enter their bank information into a form and securely send it to you (and for many, this may be their preferred method to pay you).

Results = Lower Card Volume and Lower Fees for You

Now your guests have two easy ways to pay you, so you’ll inevitably have payers who opt for ACH over card, especially if you prompt them to. For example, you can ACH as the default payment method in Sertifi and/or require ACH for transactions over certain thresholds.

Because card transactions have higher fees than ACH transactions, you’re able to reduce your overall cost to process payments online.

So, if you’ve already decided to offer guests the convenience of online card payments, it’s a no brainer to add ACH as an additional option to help drive down your costs. You’ll also be able to enjoy other benefits:

✅ Improved Security

Better protect your bank information by keeping it out of emails, which can easily be intercepted by fraudsters. We've heard one customer's story of a hacker getting a half million dollars by editing PDF wire instructions with their personal bank information.

✅ Greater Convenience

Give guests greater payment flexibility and set up an automated payment schedule with reminders to ensure you get paid on time without a ton of follow-ups.

✅ Reconcile Payments Faster

It'll be easier to reconcile ACH payments because the payment will be tied to an event, rather than scouring bank statements trying to find the right wire payment. With banking details kept securely on file, you can easily use it for additional deposits and charges. Plus, if a refund is needed, you can send it electronically instead of cutting a paper check.

✅ Keep Your Systems Updated

Automatically request, apply, and track payments to an event from Sertifi and your integrated PMS or sales and catering solution.