Overview
If you or your travelers are seeing errors during checkout, this article covers the most common issues and how to resolve them. Most checkout errors are caused by card declines, browser issues, or expired payment links.
Common Error Messages and What They Mean
Error | Cause | Fix |
"Your card was declined" | The card issuer rejected the transaction | Try a different card, or contact the card issuer to authorize the charge |
"Insufficient funds" | Not enough balance on the card | Use a different card or add funds to the account |
"Card number is invalid" | Typo in the card number | Re-enter the card number carefully |
"Your card's security code is incorrect" | Wrong CVV/CVC entered | Check the 3-digit code on the back of your card (4 digits on Amex front) |
"Your card has expired" | The card's expiration date has passed | Use a card with a valid expiration date |
"An error occurred processing your payment" | General processing error | Wait a moment and try again. If it persists, try a different payment method |
"Payment link is not working" | Expired or invalid trip link | Ask the organizer for an updated link, or navigate to the trip page directly |
Steps to Fix Checkout Errors
For Travelers
Refresh the page and try the payment again
Clear your browser cache and cookies -- outdated cached data can cause form errors
Try a different browser -- Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge
Try a different device -- switch from mobile to desktop or vice versa
Use a different card -- if your card is being declined, try another one
Contact your bank -- some banks block online transactions by default and need to authorize the charge
Disable browser extensions -- ad blockers or privacy extensions can interfere with payment forms
Check your internet connection -- unstable connections can cause timeouts during payment processing
For Organizers
If travelers report checkout errors:
Ask which error message they see -- the exact message helps diagnose the issue
Verify your Stripe account is active -- check Settings > Company Stripe Info for connection status
Test the checkout yourself -- try booking your own trip to see if the error reproduces
Check the trip page is published -- unpublished trips cannot accept payments
Verify package pricing -- packages must have a valid price set
Share these troubleshooting steps with the traveler
Browser and Device Compatibility
SquadTrip checkout works on all modern browsers:
Browser | Supported |
Chrome (desktop & mobile) | Yes |
Safari (desktop & mobile) | Yes |
Firefox | Yes |
Edge | Yes |
Internet Explorer | Not supported |
For the best experience, use the latest version of your browser. Mobile browsers work for all payment methods except some BNPL providers that may redirect to their own app.
Important Notes
If a payment fails, no charge is made -- you are not charged for failed attempts
Card declines are the most common checkout error -- they're between the traveler and their bank, not a SquadTrip issue
BNPL approval is handled by the provider (Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay) -- a decline from them is not a SquadTrip error
If errors persist across multiple travelers on the same trip, the issue may be with your Stripe account -- check your Stripe dashboard for alerts
Troubleshooting
Problem | Solution |
Multiple travelers getting errors on the same trip | Check your Stripe account status. If Stripe has restricted your account or needs additional verification, all payments will fail. |
Error only happens on mobile | Try a different mobile browser. Some older mobile browsers have compatibility issues with payment forms. |
BNPL option shows an error after redirect | The BNPL provider declined the application. This is the provider's decision -- suggest the traveler try a different BNPL provider or use a credit card. |
Payment went through but confirmation didn't load | Check your email for a booking confirmation. If you received one, the payment was successful. If not, contact the organizer or [email protected]. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I was charged but didn't get a confirmation -- what happened? A: If the payment processed but the confirmation page didn't load (due to a network issue), your booking should still be confirmed. Check your email for a confirmation message. If you don't see one, contact the trip organizer or [email protected] with your name and the trip name.
Q: My card keeps getting declined but I have enough funds -- why? A: Some banks flag online payments to unfamiliar merchants. Call your bank and ask them to authorize payments to "SquadTrip" or "Stripe." You can also try a different card. International cards may be declined if international transactions aren't enabled.
Q: Can I pay with a debit card instead of a credit card? A: Yes. SquadTrip accepts both debit and credit cards through Stripe. Debit cards follow the same checkout process. Prepaid cards and virtual cards are also generally accepted, though some may be declined by the card issuer.
Q: The payment link the organizer shared doesn't work -- what should I do? A: Ask the organizer for a fresh link to the trip page. If the trip has been unpublished or the URL changed, old links may not work. You can also try searching for the trip directly on the organizer's SquadTrip page.
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Contact: [email protected]