Airwallex and OpenTable Partner to Revolutionize Global Restaurant Payments and Reduce No-Shows

OpenTable has integrated Airwallex as a primary payment provider to manage reservation deposits and pre-paid Experiences for its global restaurant network. By leveraging local payment infrastructure, the partnership aims to reduce no-shows and secure revenue for hospitality businesses, starting in North America before expanding to international markets later this year.

What was announced

The strategic partnership establishes Airwallex as a key financial engine for the OpenTable platform, specifically targeting the financial complexities of global reservation systems that require hyperlocal distribution. Airwallex’s infrastructure allows OpenTable to accept and settle payments in various markets using the specific local methods preferred by diners in those regions.

At launch, the integration is available to restaurants in the United States and Canada. Plans are already in place to extend the service to Australia and Mexico later in 2025. The primary focus of the collaboration is on "revenue-protecting" payments, which include reservation deposits and pre-paid Experiences. These tools are designed to convert a standard booking into committed revenue, a feature that becomes increasingly vital for the hospitality sector during peak periods like the holiday season.

The impact of this financial model is supported by OpenTable’s own data. According to global 2025 figures, the use of pre-paid Experiences resulted in a 45% reduction in no-shows and a 66% decrease in late cancellations compared to bookings that did not require upfront payment. Airwallex, which currently serves more than 675,000 businesses across 100 markets, provides the underlying stack for these transactions, including payments, bank transfers, and foreign exchange (FX) management.

The companies involved

OpenTable is a major player in the global restaurant technology space and is a subsidiary of Booking Holdings. Under the Booking Holdings umbrella, it operates alongside other major travel and service brands such as Booking.com and Priceline. The platform is central to the digital transformation of the dining industry, connecting millions of diners with thousands of restaurants worldwide.

Airwallex is a global financial platform that provides the infrastructure for businesses to manage payments, treasury, and spending on a global scale. The company has distinguished itself in the fintech market by building its own local payment network country by country, rather than relying solely on traditional correspondent banking systems. This approach allows for faster settlement and lower transaction costs for platforms that operate across multiple jurisdictions. Airwallex has seen significant traction among businesses that require global reach combined with local operational efficiency, and it currently supports a wide range of financial services including FX, card issuing, and spend management for over 675,000 clients globally.

What FF News has reported before

Airwallex has been a frequent subject of coverage at FF News, with 147 previous reports documenting its expansion across various industries. Recently, the company extended its reach into the sports and technology sectors, as seen when Airwallex Named McLaren F1's First Official AI Finance Partner in Multi-Year Extension. The firm has also demonstrated significant growth in B2B volumes, specifically through collaborations like the one where Boost Payment Solutions and Airwallex Partnership Drives 10x Growth in B2B Cross-Border Volume.

Furthermore, Airwallex has been active in supporting niche global markets, including the gaming industry through the Airwallex and ONE Store Partner to Scale Korean Gaming Globally initiative. The company has also moved to support the burgeoning AI sector, as evidenced by the report on how Airwallex and Stigg Partner to Automate Global Payments and Product Access for AI Companies.

What this means

This partnership signals a significant shift in how the hospitality industry views the reservation process, moving it closer to the "pre-paid" model that is already standard in the airline and hotel sectors. By embedding sophisticated payment rails directly into the booking flow, OpenTable is addressing the persistent industry problem of no-shows, which directly impacts restaurant margins. For the broader fintech market, this highlights the increasing pressure on legacy payment processors. Platforms now demand "hyperlocal" settlement capabilities that can handle local currencies and payment methods without the friction of traditional cross-border banking. The success of this model will likely depend on whether consumers accept deposits as a permanent fixture of the dining experience.