Clear2Pay, an international provider of payment solutions, has partnered with Edenred, previously known as Accor Services, to launch the first card-based luncheon voucher on the Belgian market.

The electronic voucher was designed to replace paper-based employee benefit program and it will be used for the payment of food expenses at retail stores and restaurants. The new payment solution makes use of dual interface technology. Edenred will issue the electronic voucher on behalf of its enterprise customers. Clear2Pay delivered the card program's expertise, technical specifications and Integri test tools.

In order to ensure smooth transition Edenred has been working with its large retail customers to ensure that the luncheon voucher fits the existing (contact) payment infrastructure. During three years, Edenred and Clear2Pay have been working on this new means of payment offering several advantages over the paper-based luncheon vouchers. The solution brings ecological benefits along with reduced administrative work and faster payments for merchants and improved convenience and security for consumers.

The program is launched after a successful pilot conducted in 2009 by Edenred in the Belgian cities of Brussels, Antwerp and Namur. During one year, 950 employees from 15 companies have tried and tested their contactless luncheon voucher Ticket Restaurant® at 70 merchants.