Link by Stripe
Last updated: September 9, 2025
Link is a payment wallet by Stripe which allows customers to securely save and autofill their payment details for faster checkout on any Link-supported website. FareHarbor’s updated card payment form now incorporates Link by default as part of Stripe’s Payment Element integration, meaning your customers have the option to sign up for Link and to use it to pay for the booking online.
This integration aims to:
- Streamline the payment experience for your guests.
- Help increase completed bookings by reducing checkout friction.
Thousands of businesses use Stripe’s Link. This means that if a customer has used Link elsewhere (for example, on another tour operator’s site or an e-commerce store powered by Stripe), checking out on your site can be nearly instant. This cross-site usability encourages repeat purchases and removes the hurdle of entering payment information for frequent travelers.
How does Link work?
New Link users
- The customer enters their email and card details on the booking checkout page as usual.
They will see an option (often a checkbox or prompt) to save their information for a secure single-click checkout via Link. This prompt appears directly in the card form (as part of Stripe’s Payment Element) and is enabled by default.
If the customer chooses to use Link (in other words, they opt to save their details for future use), they are prompted to enter a mobile phone number along with their first and last name.
Once the payment is completed, the credit card number is tokenized (converted into an encrypted and secure token) by Stripe and stored for future use with Link.
Returning Link users
When the user enters their email in the contact section, the payment form uses the entered email address to check for an existing Link user. If the user is confirmed as existing, the form sends a verification code message to the linked phone number.
Once the customer enters the verification code, the payment is ready to be completed with the autofilled card details that were already stored by Link.
Express checkout with Link by Stripe
The express checkout option allows customers to complete purchases quickly and securely with one tap using Link as a digital wallet, eliminating the need to manually enter payment and billing details.
Note: Express checkout with Link is available for all browsers except Firefox.
Customers who cannot see the express checkout option will still be able to pay using a different payment option that is currently enabled for your Dashboard.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the benefit of Link for me?
Link speeds up the payment process by removing the need to enter card details. If a customer has saved their details using Link on another Link-enabled site, they can reuse them during checkout on your site. Currently, thousands of businesses use Stripe Link which means there is a high likelihood that your customer could be a Link user and could have an instant payment with you.
Is Link secure?
Link is built on Stripe’s highly secure infrastructure. All sensitive payment data saved via Link is encrypted (tokenized) and stored on Stripe’s PCI Level 1 compliant servers – the highest level of payment security certification. This means neither you nor FareHarbor stores the raw card details. Customers can trust that their saved cards are handled securely and you benefit from Stripe’s fraud protection and compliance.
Can customers choose not to use Link?
Yes, Link is entirely optional and customers can choose to enter their card details to complete the payment as they usually do.
How can I spot Link payments in my reports?
In the sales reports, Link payments can be identified by the Credit Card Type as Link.
Do Link payments cost me more?
No, Link is included as part of Stripe’s Payment Element at no extra fee. FareHarbor’s integration has already enabled Link in your online checkout, so there is nothing extra you need to install or pay for to offer this feature. Existing card processing fees apply and usage of Link does not add to your costs.
What if a customer encounters issues with Link (for example, not receiving the code)?
Issues with verification codes are rare, but they can be caused by things like a wrong phone number or spam filters on texts. If a customer has trouble using Link – for example, they don’t receive the authentication code on their mobile device or have difficulty logging in – they can always revert to entering their card details manually as a workaround. The booking will still go through without using Link.
Note: If you notice persistent recurring problems, you can reach out to FareHarbor Support, who can coordinate with Stripe to investigate any Link-related technical issues.
I’m concerned that Link payments will lead to more fraudulent payments and disputes as I cannot check the card information upon check-in.
Link uses Stripe’s address verification system, which reduces fraud risk. After their first payment, customers must complete their profile with a billing address and additional details, which are checked automatically in subsequent transactions.