When it comes to payment transactions, there are a few parties sitting between you and your guests:
- The issuing bank, who issues credit and physical cards to your guest.
- The card network, such as Visa or Amex, who connects the issuers and payment processors.
- The payment processor/acquirer, who connects merchants (you) to the card networks.
- The payment gateway, on-property technology, including PIN pads and web-based interfaces, needed to connect your property with a payment processor.