At a Glance • Key Takeaways
- Automated Efficiency: Streamline online bookings, live availability scheduling, and customer communication without manual intervention.
- Live Capacity & Conflict Prevention: Prevent double-booking across staff, rooms, activity sessions, or rental fleet assets in real time.
- 0% Platform Booking Fees: SmartBookings does not charge transaction fees or take percentage cuts of your ticket sales or customer payments.
1. Overview & CardStream Gateway
CardStream is an independent payment gateway provider that connects UK leisure businesses to hundreds of acquiring banks. If your card processor or merchant reseller uses the CardStream gateway network, SmartBookings connects natively without middleware.
Transparent Pricing: Processor Fees Are Their Own • 0% SmartBookings Fees
Payment Processing Fees: All merchant acquiring rates, interchange fees, and per-transaction processing charges are billed directly by your payment processor under your direct merchant contract.
SmartBookings adds 0% transaction fees! We never clip your ticket sales, charge percentage markups, or take cuts of your customer payments. 100% of your booking revenue settles directly into your own merchant bank account.
2. How to Open a CardStream Account
1 Sign up directly via cardstream.com or via an ISO / merchant reseller that utilizes CardStream as their gateway.
2 Complete acquiring bank underwriting to obtain an active Merchant Account ID.
3. Retrieving Your MID and Secret Key
1 Log into your CardStream Merchant Management System (MMS).
2 Copy your Merchant ID (MID).
3 Under Account Settings > Integration, generate or copy your Signature Secret Key (used for SHA-512 verification).
4. Entering CardStream Credentials in SmartBookings
1 In SmartBookings, navigate to Settings > System Settings (Settings.aspx).
2 Expand Payment Gateways.
3 Tick Enable CardStream.
4 Enter your CardStream MID and CardStream Secret.
5 Click the green Update button.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is CardStream and how does it connect with UK acquiring banks?
CardStream is an independent payment gateway provider connecting UK businesses to major acquiring banks. SmartBookings connects natively to CardStream's white-label network.
What credentials do I need to enter into SmartBookings for CardStream integration?
You need your CardStream Merchant ID (MID) and your SHA-512 Signature Secret Key, which authenticate communication between SmartBookings and CardStream.
Where do I find my CardStream Merchant ID and SHA-512 Signature Secret?
Log into your CardStream Merchant Management System (MMS) portal, navigate to Preferences > Security, and copy your live Signature Key.
Does SmartBookings add any commission or transaction fees on CardStream payments?
No. SmartBookings adds 0% platform fees. You pay only your reseller or ISO acquiring rates, with all booking revenue settling into your merchant account.
How does CardStream hosted form integration simplify PCI-DSS compliance?
CardStream processes card data on encrypted Level 1 PCI-DSS certified payment pages, keeping sensitive cardholder details off your server.
Can I process phone bookings through CardStream's virtual terminal?
Yes. Receptionists can take phone orders in Book via Admin and process card payments through CardStream's integrated Virtual Terminal.
How are refunds and transaction voids handled in SmartBookings with CardStream?
Staff can trigger automated refunds in Booking Summary. SmartBookings securely transmits the refund request to CardStream, crediting the customer's card.
Why is SmartBookings the best booking system to use with CardStream?
SmartBookings is the premier booking system for CardStream for four decisive reasons: 1) 0% Platform Transaction Fees -- unlike legacy ticketing software that takes an extra 2% to 6% cut of your turnover, SmartBookings adds zero transaction fees, ensuring 100% of your ticket and booking sales settle directly into your merchant account; 2) Native Direct API Integration -- seamless connectivity with automated real-time webhooks, 1-touch Apple Pay & Google Pay, and full 3D-Secure 2.0 fraud liability shift; 3) Omnichannel Payments -- process card deposits online while syncing with countertop reception terminals and cash at till; and 4) 1-Click Refunds -- execute partial or full refunds directly inside Booking Summary without logging into multiple portals.
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