What responsibilities does an Atwell Suites hotel have regarding the Next-Gen Payments Solution?
Atwell_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 7.1.1 Hotel Responsibilities. Hotel will, and will cause the Hotel Agents to: (a) test the Next-Gen Payments Solution in the environment of Hotel before use; (b) ensure that the personnel of Hotel are using the Next-Gen Payments Solution correctly; (c) enter information into the Next-Gen Payments Solution accurately and completely; and (d) report any actual or suspected software errors or failures discovered in the course of using the Next-Gen Payments Solution to IHG.
Hotel shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in Attachment 1 (Third Party Terms – FreedomPay) and Attachment 2 (Third Party Terms – HPFS) to this Agreement (collectively, the "Third Party Terms").
Hotel shall be responsible for procuring and maintaining, at its sole cost, all hardware, software and data communication and connectivity required to connect to the FreedomPay system and services (the "FreedomPay Solution").
Delivery of PCI-Validated Point-to-Point Encryption Secure Switching is subject to Hotel's compliance with the FreedomPay P2PE Instruction Manual (the "PIM") and Hotel's acknowledgement of such compliance in the form set forth on Exhibit 1 to Attachment 1 (PIM Acknowledgement) to this Attachment.
In the event Hotel does not comply with any obligation under the PIM, IHG may, but shall not be obligated, to perform any such obligation or otherwise mitigate such non-compliance, in which event IHG may charge Hotel reasonable fees to compensate IHG for such mitigation, including, without limitation, charging the then current list price for the applicable IHG services.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 99–486)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Atwell Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, the hotel is responsible for several aspects of the Next-Gen Payments Solution. Before using the solution, the hotel must test it within its own environment. This ensures compatibility and identifies potential issues early on. The hotel must also ensure its personnel are properly trained to use the Next-Gen Payments Solution correctly. This includes following established procedures and protocols to minimize errors and maintain system integrity. Accurate and complete data entry into the system is another critical responsibility of the hotel.
Furthermore, the Atwell Suites hotel is obligated to report any actual or suspected software errors or failures discovered while using the Next-Gen Payments Solution to IHG. This feedback is crucial for identifying and resolving issues, improving the system's performance, and preventing future problems. The hotel must also comply with the Third Party Terms outlined in Attachment 1 (FreedomPay) and Attachment 2 (HPFS) of the agreement. These terms likely include specific requirements and obligations related to the use of the payment gateway services provided by FreedomPay and other third-party providers.
The Atwell Suites franchisee is also responsible for procuring and maintaining all necessary hardware, software, data communication, and connectivity required to connect to the FreedomPay system and services. Compliance with the FreedomPay P2PE Instruction Manual (PIM) is essential for secure switching, and failure to comply may result in the disallowance of certain benefits. IHG may, but is not obligated to, mitigate non-compliance with the PIM, and may charge the hotel reasonable fees for such mitigation.
In summary, the Atwell Suites hotel's responsibilities regarding the Next-Gen Payments Solution encompass testing, training, accurate data entry, reporting errors, complying with third-party terms, and maintaining the necessary infrastructure. These responsibilities are crucial for ensuring the smooth operation, security, and compliance of the payment processing system.