> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.travelledger.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.travelledger.org/tl-pay-virtual-cards-vccs/paying-suppliers-outside-travel-ledger.md).

# Paying suppliers outside Travel Ledger

**Who this is for:** Buyers paying hotels, bedbanks or any supplier that isn’t on Travel Ledger and accepts card payments.

This is the core virtual card use case: on-platform partners settle through TL Pay settlement schedules, while off-platform suppliers are paid by card from the same account - a single balance, a single dashboard and a single reconciliation trail.

### How it works

1. **Create a card for the payment** - usually a single-use card with the booking’s amount, the supplier’s name and your booking references. If taxes or extras may be added at charge time, set an Additional Percentage buffer (5%/10%). Set Allowed Charges to match how the supplier collects (deposit + balance = 2).
2. **Provide the card details through the supplier’s usual payment channel** - booking portal, telephone or extranet. Set the **Estimated Charge Date** to the supplier’s stated charging point; 
3. **No funds move at issuance**. The card can remain unfunded until charged - the requirement is to keep the account balance ahead of your exposure figures. Configure the Total Exposure alert to be notified if issued cards exceed available funds. → [Funding and exposure](/tl-pay-virtual-cards-vccs/funding-and-exposure.md)
4. **The supplier charges the card.** Funds are drawn from your respective sub-account TL Pay balance at that moment and the charge appears against the card with the booking details attached at creation.
5. **Reconcile with full context:** the charge already carries your internal and supplier references. → [Reconciling card spend](/tl-pay-virtual-cards-vccs/reconciling-virtual-cards.md)

### Card payment or platform settlement

For suppliers you transact with occasionally, a virtual card is the most efficient route. For high-frequency trading relationships, consider inviting the supplier to Travel Ledger for full platform settlement - cards and settlement can operate side by side.