Payment methods define how funds are collected from payers. They determine the payer experience, required details, settlement timing, and regional availability. Acclaim supports a range of payment methods across cards, direct debit schemes, and local payment networks.Documentation Index
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Choosing a payment method
The right payment method depends on:- Payer location
- Currency
- Speed of settlement
- Payer experience (push vs pull)
- Whether payment details need to be reused
Supported payment methods
| Payment method | Type | Regions | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cards | Push | Global | Instant authorization | One-time or immediate payments |
| ACH Debit | Pull (Direct Debit) | United States | 1–3 business days | Recurring or bank-based payments |
| SEPA Debit | Pull (Direct Debit) | Europe | 1–2 business days | Eurozone payments |
| UK Direct Debit | Pull (Direct Debit) | United Kingdom | 2–3 business days | GBP recurring payments |
| Pre-Authorized Debits (PAD) | Pull (Direct Debit) | Canada | 2–3 business days | CAD bank debit payments |
| Local payment methods | Varies | Country-specific | Varies | Regional payment preferences |
Payment method types
Cards
Cards are a push-based payment method where the payer authorizes the transaction immediately.- Fast authorization
- Widely supported globally
- Suitable for one-time or immediate payments
Direct debit
Direct debit methods are pull-based, meaning you collect funds directly from the payer’s bank account with authorization.- Lower cost than cards
- Suitable for recurring or large payments
- Settlement takes multiple business days
- ACH Debit (US)
- SEPA Debit (EU)
- UK Direct Debit (UK)
- CA PAD (Canada)
Local payment methods
Local payment methods are region-specific payment rails.- Optimized for local payer preferences
- May offer better conversion in certain markets
- Requirements and behavior vary by country
Method behavior
Payment methods differ across several dimensions:- Authorization model — immediate (cards) vs delayed (debit)
- Settlement timing — instant vs multi-day
- Failure modes — declines vs returns
- Reusability — setup request support
Using payment methods in Collect
Payment methods are used across all collection flows:- Payment requests — define available methods for the payer
- Setup requests — store reusable payment methods
- Virtual accounts — enable bank transfer alternatives
- Offer multiple methods
- Restrict methods by region or use case
- Let the payer select their preferred option
Best practices
- Match methods to payer geography
- Offer multiple options when possible
- Use direct debit for recurring or high-value payments
- Use cards for speed and simplicity
- Monitor performance by method
Summary
- Payment methods determine how funds are collected
- Cards, direct debit, and local methods each serve different use cases
- Availability depends on country and currency
- Choosing the right method improves conversion, cost, and reliability