Are hotel payments still stuck in the past and what would it take to modernize them for good?
In this episode of dojo.live, we welcome Stuart Davenport, Chief Product Officer at Conferma, and Neil Fyfe of BCD Travel for a candid conversation about the modernization of hotel payments in corporate travel.
Despite the surge in digital innovation, hotel payments remain one of the most outdated parts of the travel experience, often still relying on manual processes like faxed credit card authorizations. Stuart and Neil explore why this friction persists, what it means for travelers and TMCs alike, and how virtual cards can offer a path forward—but only if the user experience and data flows are aligned across the ecosystem.
The discussion also highlights the broader impacts of payment inefficiencies, from traveler dissatisfaction to policy compliance challenges, and what meaningful improvements could look like if the industry commits to deeper collaboration.
Stuart Davenport is Chief Product Officer at Conferma, where he is responsible for defining the direction of product innovation and platform goals. Prior to this, Stuart held the role of Chief Innovation Officer, where he contributed to the development of new payment flows and supported business development teams. Stuart also has experience as the Director of Mobile Development, leading a team to extend the reach of virtual card technology. He has a strong background in solutions architecture, having designed core virtual card platforms and implemented prepaid solutions for an airline. Additionally, he has held leadership positions and played a key role in various software development projects. Before joining Conferma, Stuart worked as a Web Developer and IT Support Analyst at Expotel, where he maintained internal systems and provided technical support.
Neil Fyfe serves as Head of Payment Solutions at BCD Travel, a position he took on after joining the company in January 2024. He is focused on simplifying virtual payments for global travel programs and driving innovation across digital payment technologies. Under his leadership, BCD Pay is helping clients gain greater visibility and control over travel spend, reduce fraud risk, and enhance traveler satisfaction. With a strong career background in travel technology and payments, including leadership roles in product and account technology, Neil brings a strategic vision that positions him at the forefront of transforming how payments are managed in corporate travel.