Overview
To collect payments on SquadTrip, you need to connect a Stripe account. Stripe requires identity verification before you can process payments -- this is a legal requirement for all payment platforms. Most organizers complete verification in under 10 minutes, but some run into issues. This article covers the most common problems and how to resolve them.
Do I Need a Business to Connect Stripe?
No. You can connect Stripe as an individual -- you do not need a registered business, EIN, or LLC. When Stripe asks for your business type during signup, select "Individual" or "Sole Proprietor." You'll provide your personal information (name, date of birth, SSN last 4 digits in the U.S.) instead of business documents.
How to Connect Stripe to SquadTrip
Log in to your organizer dashboard
Go to Settings > Company Settings and click Add Payment Processing Account under Payment Settings (or click Connect to Stripe in the prompt when you publish your trip, or Connect a payment account on Settings > Getting paid)
You go straight to Stripe. (The Connect Payment Gateway chooser -- Stripe "Recommended" / Square "Alternative" -- only appears when an existing Stripe account is restricted or Square is connected; the older "Link To Stripe Connect" page is no longer shown at signup or login.)
You'll be redirected to Stripe's website
Create a new Stripe account or sign in to an existing one
Complete Stripe's verification steps (identity, bank account)
After verification, you're redirected back to SquadTrip
Your Stripe account is now connected
Checking Your Stripe Connection Status
After connecting, Company Settings shows your Stripe Connect Key, and Settings > Getting paid shows Working, Paused or Checking for "Taking payments" and "Payouts to your bank", plus an Action needed row naming any outstanding Stripe requirement with a Finish on Stripe button. Inside your Stripe dashboard you may see one of these statuses:
Status | What It Means | Action Needed |
Enabled | Fully verified and ready to accept payments | None -- you're good to go |
In Review | Stripe is reviewing your submitted documents | Wait 1-3 business days for Stripe to complete review |
Accounts to Review | Stripe needs additional information from you | Log in to your Stripe dashboard and complete any pending requirements |
Restricted | Your account has limitations on what it can process | Check your Stripe dashboard for specific restrictions and required actions |
Rejected | Verification failed | See "What to Do If Verification Is Rejected" below |
Pending | Connection started but not yet completed | Return to Stripe to finish the signup process |
Common Issues and Solutions
"I completed Stripe signup but my trip still won't publish"
Go to Settings > Company Settings and check if Stripe shows as connected
If connected, go to your Stripe Dashboard and check for any pending verification requirements
Stripe sometimes needs a few minutes to sync -- wait 5 minutes and try publishing again
"Stripe is asking for documents I don't have"
Stripe may request:
Government ID (driver's license or passport) -- required for identity verification
Bank account details -- for receiving payouts
Business documents -- only if you selected a business type during signup. If you're an individual, go back and change your business type to "Individual" or "Sole Proprietor"
"My Stripe account was rejected"
If Stripe rejects your verification:
Check the rejection reason in your Stripe dashboard
Common reasons: name mismatch between ID and account, incomplete information, or unsupported business type
You can usually resubmit with corrected information
If the issue persists, contact Stripe support directly at support.stripe.com
"I already have a Stripe account -- can I use it?"
Yes. When SquadTrip redirects you to Stripe, click "Sign in" instead of creating a new account. Your existing Stripe account will be connected to SquadTrip via Stripe Connect.
What If I Can't Complete Stripe Verification?
If Stripe verification fails or your account is rejected, you have two options:
Connect Square instead — Square is offered as an alternative gateway for card payments -- a good fallback if Stripe isn't available for you. See Connect Square Payment Gateway for setup steps.
Contact support — email [email protected] with details about the Stripe rejection. The support team can help troubleshoot or advise on next steps.
Note: SquadTrip does not offer a platform-managed payment option. All organizers must connect their own Stripe or Square account to process payments.
Important Notes
You must connect a Stripe or Square account before you can publish a trip
Stripe verification is handled entirely by Stripe -- SquadTrip cannot approve or override their decisions
Your Stripe account is specific to your organizer account and carries across all your trips
You connect one gateway at a time -- Stripe or Square. Square supports card payments only; BNPL needs Stripe, and today's checkout offers Apple Pay through Stripe only
Keep your Stripe account in good standing -- if Stripe restricts your account, payment processing will be affected for all your trips
Troubleshooting
Problem | Solution |
"Link To Stripe Connect" button not working | Clear your browser cache and try again. If using a popup blocker, allow popups for SquadTrip and Stripe domains. |
Redirected back to SquadTrip but Stripe not showing as connected | The OAuth connection may have timed out. Try the connection process again from Settings > Company Settings. |
Stripe says "This account cannot be used with this platform" | This happens if you're trying to connect a Stripe account that's already connected to a different platform. Create a new Stripe account or disconnect from the other platform first. |
Payout not received after first sale | Stripe holds initial payouts for 7-14 days for new accounts. After the first payout, the standard schedule is 2-day rolling payouts. Check your Stripe dashboard for the exact payout schedule. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a business license or EIN to connect Stripe? A: No. Stripe allows individuals to create accounts. Select "Individual" or "Sole Proprietor" as your business type during Stripe signup. You'll verify with your personal information (name, date of birth, last 4 of SSN in the U.S.) instead of business documents.
Q: How long does Stripe verification take? A: Most accounts are verified instantly or within a few minutes. If Stripe needs to review documents, it can take 1-3 business days. You'll receive an email from Stripe when verification is complete or if additional information is needed.
Q: Can I use Square instead of Stripe? A: Yes -- you connect one gateway at a time, either Stripe or Square. Square supports card payments only; BNPL (Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay) needs Stripe, and today's checkout offers Apple Pay through Stripe only.
Q: What happens to my travelers' payments if my Stripe account gets restricted? A: If Stripe blocks your account from taking payments, SquadTrip switches your trips to waitlist so new bookings pause, and scheduled installments will fail to process until Stripe lifts the restriction. Everything is restored automatically once Stripe clears the account. Log in to your Stripe dashboard immediately to address any requirements. Travelers who already paid are not affected -- their bookings remain confirmed.
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