What a gateway does
The gateway encrypts the payment data, requests authorisation, returns an approve or decline in real time, and passes the transaction on for settlement. It is the bridge between your website or app and the banking rails.
Gateway features that affect approvals
Beyond connectivity, a strong gateway adds smart routing, decline cascading, fraud screening, 3-D Secure and support for cards plus alternative payment methods. These directly influence how many of your payments are approved versus lost.
Owning the gateway
Because PlatinumEdge runs its own gateway and a network of MIDs and acquirers, it can route each transaction to the route most likely to succeed and retry soft declines instantly - recovering sales that single-route gateways lose.
What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?
The gateway captures and transmits the transaction; the processor (via the acquirer) moves the funds between banks. Many providers, including PlatinumEdge, combine both.
Can a payment gateway accept alternative payment methods?
Yes. A modern gateway supports cards plus local and alternative payment methods (APMs) so you can convert more customers worldwide.