by Matt Rej
Maestro PMS is an all-in-one property management system built for independent hotels, resorts, and multi-property groups. Lots of properties using the software also rely on integrated payment processing, and fortunately, Maestro supports several options to choose from.
But it’s important to understand that these credit card processing integrations should not be treated as interchangeable. Your fees and processor relationship can vary significantly based on the path you choose:
- Payment processors that integrate directly with Maestro PMS.
- POS integrations offering additional integration workarounds.
- Integrations that are currently being developed, but not yet live.
- Other processors accessible via payment gateways.
And within each of these categories, there are still nuances and differences to consider.
I’ll give you the full breakdown below:
Currently Available Payment Integrations
This is the most straightforward approach. If you’re currently using any of the processors below, you can integrate directly with Maestro PMS software.
Shift4
Shift4’s integration with Maestro makes a lot of sense, as they specialize in credit card processing for hotels, restaurants, and hospitality.
This is a big deal if you already have a merchant agreement with Shift4, as it doesn’t make sense to switch providers if you’re interested in using Maestro PMS. And while the integration is seamless, there are a few things you should be monitoring to ensure you get the best deal.
Shift4 sometimes overcharges hotels. Getting a lower rate is possible, but you just need to know where to look:
- Identifying extra Shift4 fees that can typically be removed or negotiated.
- Daily vs. monthly billing (when your merchant fees get pulled).
- Ensuring you’re on a true IC+ structure, and not simple change pricing.
You can literally save thousands every month by addressing these with Shift4. It’s worth the effort, and you can still get integrated payments without overpaying or switching anything.
Elavon
Elavon is a similar story. Straightforward integration (via its Fusebox gateway), but potential money left on the table if you’re not careful.
The thing about integrated processing is that providers love to use that integration as an excuse to charge you more. And while certain costs can be warranted (as the processor’s expenses do increase to support the setup), others should be eliminated.
With Elavon, specifically for hotels, you should be keeping an eye on:
- International Card Handling Fees: Up to 0.80% on foreign-issued cards, which can be a significant portion of volume for hotels and resorts.
- Non-Qualified Volume Fees: Elavon’s downgrade category, adding an extra 0.55% to transactions that they internally (and often arbitrarily) determine don’t meet certain standards. CNP transactions are often a target here.
- Monthly Billing Fees: An extra 0.08% charged for the “convenience” of getting your merchant fees pulled once per month, which is the industry standard everywhere else.
Just these three fees alone could result in you paying over 140 basis points more than you should on certain transactions. And that doesn’t even account for random monthly fees and inflated base discount rates.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not picking on Elavon here or anything.
Just making you aware that there are likely plenty of savings available on your account. So you can keep using Elavon, integrate with Maestro, and pay much less than you are right now.
MezzoPay
MezzoPay is Maestro’s embedded payment solution. It launched in April 2024, so it’s still relatively new compared to the other options.
This is Maestro’s own in-house offering for credit card processing. But the setup is important to understand.
- MezzoPay is powered by Fullsteam.
- So Fullsteam actually processes your payments on the backend (not Maestro).
- Fullsteam is a decent processor, but their reporting isn’t very transparent.
- They also increased their rates the last four years in a row.
I also find it interesting that on the MezzoPay marketing materials, it specifically says that “Maestro does not provide payment services” and that everything is provided by Fullsteam.
But Fullsteam acquired Maestro in 2023. So technically, it’s all under one parent company.
Maestro has an incentive to push MezzoPay on clients because the processing fees go to the same business. What’s good for Fullsteam is good for Maestro.
So don’t feel pressured to go this route. If you’re already using a processor that integrates with Maestro elsewhere, stick with it.
PXP (formerly Servebase)
PXP, also known as PXP Financial or PXP Solutions, is the most niche option of directly integrated processors. It’s a UK-based processor that primarily works with European merchants in the hospitality space.
The integration with Maestro runs through PXP’s ANYpay gateway, and was originally built to support Maestro’s UK client hotels with EMV chip and PIN processing.
While PXP does have US operations and processes payments globally, most independent properties in the US probably aren’t going to encounter PXP as a realistic option. But if you’re already using PXP and want to use Maestro, the integration is there.
Though this isn’t the place to start if you’re searching for a new processor and don’t have UK-specific or European operations.
One thing to keep in mind, regardless of where you operate, is that PXP is a much smaller player compared to Shift4 or Elavon. This can be a good or bad thing. Smaller processors can offer better support, but you may have less leverage negotiating certain fees.
POS Integrations That Expand Your Processing Options
If your current processor isn’t listed above, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Maestro also integrates with several point-of-sale systems, and those POS platforms come with their own networks of supported processors.
So even if a processor doesn’t directly integrate with Maestro PMS, you still may be able to use it through one of the POS connections.
This won’t work for everyone. But it’s definitely worth considering if your processor is supported below. It’s always in your best interest to keep your current provider instead of starting from scratch elsewhere.
MICROS
MICROS is another hospitality-focused provider, offering POS solutions for hotels and restaurants. They also have partnerships with casinos, resorts, and even stadiums.
The software actually comes from Oracle, so you know you’re getting a quality system. But it’s often sold through independent software resellers.
Integrating MICROS POS with Maestro PMS likely means you can potentially use Fiserv, Adyen, Shift4, CardConnect, North, Global Payments, or TSYS.
So if you’re already using MICROS and one of these processors, or you’re open to a POS change to keep your processor while integrating with Maestro, this is likely your best bet.
Toast
The Toast integration with Maestro PMS is an interesting one for a couple of reasons.
While Toast does have some hotel-specific features, it’s primarily built for restaurants. And I don’t think it’s the best option for larger hotels. Though it could serve its purpose for small, boutique hotels, or if you’re one of those trendy spots where the lobby bar doubles as a check-in location.
Otherwise, getting processing through Toast is probably going to be more expensive and not worth it. That’s because Toast does software, POS, and integrated processing all under one roof. It’s a PayFac, which is always going to be more expensive.
That said, if you’re already using Toast and want to keep it, you can integrate it with Maestro PMS. Just don’t switch to Toast solely for the integration.
Payment Integrations in Development
Maestro PMS supports over 800+ integrations in different categories, and they do a pretty good job of keeping all of that updated here.
Since they’re constantly adding new integrations, you can keep an eye out to see if your processor is getting added.
Right now, the only one being developed is Fullsteam.
The Fullsteam integration is notably different from MezzoPay mentioned earlier. This will end up being a direct integration instead of going through Maestro’s embedded payment system, which will typically come with added fees. Though the relationship is interesting because it’s all still the same parent company (Fullsteam).
But if I’m currently using Fullsteam for processing, I’m likely preferring this route than the MezzoPay path.
Don’t See Your Processor?
If your current processor hasn’t been mentioned anywhere above, you still have options.
Assuming you still want integrated credit card processing with Maestro PMS, the cleanest option would be using a processor-agnostic gateway that integrates with Maestro.
FreedomPay is a good example of this, and that will really expand your options.
In addition to supporting a range of processors, FreedomPay also works with big names in the hospitality space, including Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Wynn, MGM, Hard Rock, and Caesars.
But right now, the FreedomPay integration with Maestro is only available in the US. The Canadian integration is still in development.
If that doesn’t work, you don’t need to force an integrated processing setup. You can still use Maestro PMS and keep your processing separate, which is usually worth it if it means keeping your existing provider.