Overview
Every organizer must connect a Stripe account before publishing their first trip. Stripe processes card payments, Apple Pay, and all Buy Now, Pay Later options (Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm). You don't need a business EIN -- personal information and SSN are sufficient to create a Stripe account.
Getting to Stripe Connection
Log in to your organizer dashboard
Open your trip and click "Edit Trip"
Click "Payments" in the left sidebar
Click the "Link To Stripe Connect" button in the payment gateway connection modal
You'll also be prompted to connect Stripe when you first try to publish a trip.
Connect Your Stripe Account
Click "Link To Stripe Connect" on the Payments page
Log in if you already have a Stripe account, or click "Create a new account"
Follow the instructions to add your bank account details and business information
Complete identity verification (SSN or EIN)
Once connected, a green status indicator appears on the Payments page confirming your Stripe connection is active.
Tips for new Stripe accounts:
Use your own name as the business name if you don't have a registered business
Your personal website or Instagram link works for the business website field
Stripe account creation is free
What Stripe Enables
Feature | Details |
Card Payments | All major credit and debit cards |
Apple Pay | One-tap checkout on supported devices |
Klarna | Buy Now, Pay Later. USD, GBP |
Afterpay | Buy Now, Pay Later. USD, CAD, GBP, AUD, NZD |
Affirm | Buy Now, Pay Later. USD only |
Automatic Payouts | Daily transfers to your bank (2-day rolling) |
BNPL options are automatically available through your Stripe connection -- no additional setup needed. Just toggle them on in your trip's Payment Options settings.
Important Notes
Stripe is required before you can publish a trip
SquadTrip charges a flat 6% processing fee that covers standard Stripe card processing
International cards add 1.5% and currency conversion adds 1%, both deducted from the organizer's payout
SquadTrip cannot access your Stripe account, payout schedule, or funds
First Stripe payouts have a mandatory 7-day waiting period for security compliance
Travelers see your company name + trip name (truncated to 21 characters) on their credit card statements
Troubleshooting
Problem | Solution |
"Link To Stripe Connect" button not appearing | Make sure you're on the Payments page of your trip editor. If the button is missing, you may already be connected -- check for the green status indicator. |
Stripe asking for EIN but I don't have one | Select "Individual" or "Sole Proprietor" as your business type. SSN is sufficient -- no EIN required. |
Connection failed or stuck | Clear your browser cache, try a different browser, or disable ad blockers that may interfere with Stripe's redirect. |
Payouts paused by Stripe | Log in to your Stripe dashboard at dashboard.stripe.com and provide any requested updates. Stripe pauses payouts when verification information is outdated. |
First payout taking longer than expected | First-time Stripe payouts have a 7-day waiting period. After the first payout, transfers arrive in 2 business days. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to set up Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay separately after connecting Stripe? A: No. BNPL options are automatically available through your Stripe connection. Go to your trip's Payments page, expand "Payments Options," and toggle on whichever BNPL providers you want to offer. No additional accounts or setup required.
Q: What will travelers see on their credit card statements? A: Travelers see your company name plus the trip name, truncated to 21 characters total. For example, "ELEVATE TRAVEL*BALI W" -- this helps minimize complaints about unrecognized charges.
Q: Can SquadTrip help me with Stripe account issues? A: No. Payment processing is governed by your direct agreement with Stripe. For account issues, payout delays, or verification problems, contact Stripe support directly through your Stripe dashboard.
Q: Can I use Square instead of Stripe? A: Yes. Square is available as an alternative or additional payment gateway for card payments and Apple Pay. However, BNPL options (Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm) are only available through Stripe. You can have both gateways connected simultaneously.
Q: What fees are associated with Stripe on SquadTrip? A: SquadTrip bundles fees at 6% total for standard U.S. card transactions. This covers both Stripe's processing fees and SquadTrip's platform fee. International cards add 1.5%, and currency conversion adds 1%. BNPL adds a 4% convenience fee charged to the traveler.
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