First Data Merchant Solutions, First Data's direct-to-market merchant acquiring business, and Diners Club International, a business unit of Discover Financial Services, today announced the go-live of their merchant acquiring agreement in the UK.
The deal will allow First Data Merchant Solutions clients to readily accept all cards on the Discover Global Network including Diners Club and Discover transactions, alongside Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
The agreement will be particularly relevant to First Data Merchant Solutions customers in the travel, hospitality and entertainment sectors who service and supply international visitors to the UK. Latest figures from the ONS International Passenger Survey have shown not only a rise in the number of visits to Britain but also a rise in spend - with £6.88 billion generated in the first five months of 2013 by international visitors.
Gerry Wagner, Vice President, Discover Network commented: "Extending our relationship with First Data into the UK market demonstrates our continued commitment to enhancing Discover Global Network acceptance for our card members around the world."
Raj Sond, General Manager of First Data Merchant Solutions, added: "Through our strategic collaborations, First Data offers some of the most flexible payment acceptance options in the industry, providing merchants around the world the ability to accept electronic payments safely and securely. The strategic collaboration between First Data Merchant Solutions and the Discover Global Network signifies the commitment to supporting UK merchants and international consumers as tourism to the UK continues to grow apace."
Discover Global Network is comprised of Discover Card, Diners Club International, BC Global Card, DinaCard and Rupay.