Most short-term rental (STR) managers don’t know who really owns their payment account. If you’re using Stripe or other aggregators, it’s not you, it’s them. That means delayed payouts, higher risk, and zero control when things go wrong.
But when you become the Merchant of Record, everything changes, faster cash flow, fewer holds, and full ownership of your payment operations.
Let’s break down what that means, and how Clearview puts you in the driver’s seat.
Why this matters
| Old Way, Aggregator | Clearview Way, Merchant of Record |
|---|---|
| Stripe owns the account | You own your merchant account |
| Shared risk across many users | Underwritten for your business |
| 3–5 day payout times | Next-day funding (T+1) |
| High reserve requirements | No reserves or fund holds |
| Minimal control over disputes | Full chargeback visibility, tools |
What Is a Merchant of Record (MoR)?
A Merchant of Record is the legal entity responsible for processing payments and handling chargebacks, compliance, and transaction data.
In simple terms,
If you’re the MoR, you get paid directly, you can control fraud filters, and no one else can freeze your funds.
Aggregators vs. Direct Processors, What’s the Risk?
Aggregators like Stripe pool thousands of STR operators under one merchant ID. This setup has hidden downsides:
High-risk categorization, STRs are flagged as “travel,” which increases reserves.
Delayed payouts, Stripe holds funds 3–5 business days.
Account freezes, One flagged refund or chargeback can freeze all payouts.
No underwriting, You don’t have your own profile, they don’t know your business.
You’re just another line item in their system.
Clearview makes you the Merchant of Record
With Clearview, you get your own merchant ID, which means:
Next-day funding
Custom fraud filters
Direct control over disputes and refunds
Full visibility into processing volume and card types
No more random freezes or Stripe-style holds
And yes, we handle the underwriting, gateway provisioning, and PMS integration for you.
Why STR Operators switch
Property managers switch to Clearview to:
Own their payment setup, instead of renting space on Stripe’s platform
Protect revenue flow, during peak season (no held funds!)
Win chargebacks, using real-time alerts and our CE 3.0 strategy
Enable guest-paid card fees, through our compliant RMF model
It’s not just about control, it’s about growth.
What it looks like to the guest
From your guest’s perspective? Nothing changes.
From your bottom line? Everything does.
Whether you pass on fees (RMF) or use our traditional savings model, you’re now in full control, with faster payouts and fewer surprises.
Partner With Clearview!
Earn more or save more by integrating Clearview payments. Whether you’re a PMS provider or an STR vendor, we help you deliver zero-fee payments, lower processing costs, and faster payouts.
Get In Touch With Us
Tell us a bit about your business and our team will connect with you to explore the right Clearview Partner Program.
