TerraPay, Sabre expand instant cross-border payouts

TerraPay and Sabre have signed a multi-year strategic agreement to expand Sabre Direct Pay's reach and add instant cross-border bank transfers for travel agencies and suppliers.

The deal links Sabre Direct Pay with TerraPay's payments network, enabling users to send instant bank transfers to recipients in more than 155 countries. The network spans more than 7.5 billion bank accounts and 3.7 billion mobile wallets, the companies said.

Travel agencies and suppliers-including airlines and hotels-use Sabre Direct Pay for payment and settlement workflows. The partnership adds more non-card payout options alongside existing card-based methods within the same product.

Payment friction

The travel sector still relies on a mix of payment methods, with a significant share of transactions happening outside card schemes. The companies estimate nearly 30% of travel payments occur off-card and continue to move through slower rails, creating settlement delays and additional work for finance teams handling cross-border payments.

International travel payments often pass through multiple intermediaries and banking systems. Suppliers must also navigate local regulatory requirements and currency conversion, which can extend settlement times and increase administrative overhead-especially for high-volume businesses operating across multiple markets.

TerraPay's network is designed for cross-border money movement, connecting sending and receiving endpoints across banks and mobile wallets. The agreement integrates this infrastructure with Sabre Direct Pay's existing distribution and payments footprint in travel.

How it works

Under the agreement, travel agencies, airlines, and hotels using Sabre Direct Pay will gain access to instant bank-transfer payouts across TerraPay's network. This broadens the options for paying suppliers, refunding customers, and managing other cross-border settlement flows outside card rails.

Sabre said the expanded coverage enables faster settlement in markets where bank transfers are preferred or card acceptance is limited. The companies also described the partnership as a way to reduce the operational burden for suppliers that currently manage multiple payout methods and banking relationships across countries.

Patricio Boccardo, Managing Director of Sabre Payments, said the partnership supports Sabre Direct Pay's expansion in travel payments services.

"Sabre Direct Pay continues to scale its global footprint and capabilities. Adding TerraPay's network means travel suppliers can access instant payments in over 155 countries, supporting faster settlements and improved cash flow. Our focus is on delivering practical solutions that address the complexity of cross-border payments in travel."

For Sabre, payments has been a growth area alongside its core travel technology and distribution services. Sabre Direct Pay is part of that effort, focusing on settlement tools and payment options that connect travel sellers and suppliers across markets.

Network reach

TerraPay operates a cross-border payments network regulated in more than 30 markets. It positions the network as a single connection for businesses that need to move money across borders through bank accounts and mobile wallets.

TerraPay works with financial institutions and payments providers, including banks, digital wallets, money transfer operators, corporates, and fintech platforms. It is headquartered in London, with offices in Dubai, Milan, Miami, Singapore, Bogota, Johannesburg, Kampala, and Bangalore.

Valli Ardalan, SVP and Head of Europe at TerraPay, said the agreement connects TerraPay to a large travel payments ecosystem.

Ardalan said, "Partnering with Sabre Direct Pay connects TerraPay to one of the most influential networks in global travel. Our infrastructure is built to move money instantly and securely across borders, and together we're removing long-standing friction in how suppliers get paid and how travellers are served. This collaboration strengthens the financial backbone of the travel industry and enables faster, more dependable experiences for everyone across the journey."

The companies did not disclose financial terms. They said the partnership will expand Sabre Direct Pay's ability to offer both card and non-card payouts across international markets.