What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay lets Apple users make payments in person, through iOS apps or on the web. It works on iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac computers. Transactions use a device-specific number and a unique transaction code, keeping purchases private and secure.
No physical credit or debit card is needed, reducing the risk of fraud. Apple Pay uses a token or device account number for transactions, so your card information is never shared with merchants. It’s a simple, safe, and convenient way to pay.
Benefits of becoming an Apple Pay hotel
Guest expectations and convenience
Travelers now expect Apple Pay to be available everywhere. Meeting this expectation helps you stay competitive and relevant while improving the guest experience.
Faster checkout and higher conversions
The booking process should be as easy as possible, and using Apple Pay can help expedite hotel payment processing even further. Instead of manually entering card details one digit at a time, guests can complete their payment with a single tap on their digital wallet, reducing booking abandonment.
Avoiding extra steps like entering CVV codes, expiration dates, and billing addresses manually also decreases the chances of website abandonment at checkout. Guests can store their confirmation in their wallet, making it easier to access when checking in and streamlining checkout with just a tap.
Higher guest spend and upselling
Easy, seamless payments can increase opportunities for upselling. Guests can make on-site purchases like room service, spa treatments, or room upgrades with a simple tap on their smartphone, removing the friction of taking out a credit card or entering details.
For your front desk, this makes it easier to promote room upgrades or additional services. Streamlined payments not only speed up the booking and check-out process but also boost revenue while enhancing the guest experience.
Contactless and seamless guest journey
Apple Pay enables a fully contactless experience from booking to check-out. Guests can make reservations, check in, pay for on-site services, and even access their room with just their device, creating a smooth, convenient, and modern guest journey.
Security and trust
Tokenized payments reduce fraud since card numbers are never shared. This protects guest data and builds trust, showing that your hotel values privacy and security.
Brand reputation and loyalty
Hotels that adopt new technology quickly gain an edge over those that lag behind. Supporting Apple Pay signals innovation and a guest-focused approach, which strengthens your brand image and builds loyalty in an increasingly tech-savvy hospitality market.
More and more guests expect to manage loyalty programs, hotel bookings and incidental payments directly from their mobile devices. By meeting these expectations, you increase the chances that guests will remain loyal to your hotel, make direct bookings, and engage with your services – all of which contribute to a stronger, more successful property.
Common challenges when adopting Apple Pay in hotels
Technical setup and integration
It can be tricky to set up if you’re dealing with older hardware or software. Hotels need POS systems and payment providers that support Apple Pay and other digital wallets.
Staff training and adoption
Front desk and operations teams must understand how Apple Pay works in order to assist guests if problems arise. By training staff, you can ensure smooth implementation and avoid confusion.
Educating guests
Some travelers, especially older generations, may be unfamiliar with digital wallets. Staff guidance, signage and online FAQs can help bridge this gap.
Examples of Apple Pay hotels
Major brands like Marriott and Hilton, and platforms like Booking.com, already support Apple Pay for bookings and in-stay purchases. These industry leaders are setting the standard for mobile-first hospitality.
How to implement Apple Pay at your hotel
Integrate with your payment gateway and POS
Choose a payment solution that supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and other digital wallets. Mews hotel payment processing, for example, integrates seamlessly with mobile wallets, automating the payment journey from booking to checkout.
Train staff and update processes
Ensure your team knows how Apple Pay works, what to do if issues arise, and how to encourage guests to use it.
Promote Apple Pay to guests
Make it clear to guests across touchpoints that you accept Apple Pay through communication on your website, booking engines, confirmation emails and at the time of check-in.
How to encourage hotel guests to use Apple Pay
- Offer incentives like discounts or perks
- Train staff to promote and assist with Apple Pay
- Feature Apple Pay on your website and booking channels
- Include Apple Pay in confirmation emails and check-in instructions
- Highlight security and convenience benefits
Conclusion
Apple Pay isn’t just a payment method – it’s a gateway to creating smoother, safer and more satisfying guest experiences. From booking to check-in, in-hotel purchases and checkout, this digital wallet improves convenience and upselling opportunities while building trust and loyalty.
Integrating Apple Pay into your hotel’s operations benefits both guests and your bottom line, making it a must-have tool for modern hospitality.
Want to get up to speed with the latest in hospitality payments?
Download our guide “We Need to Talk about Payments”
