Question 1

What is the Airwallex WHMCS Gateway?

Accepted Answer

The Airwallex WHMCS Gateway is a payment module that enables WHMCS users to accept payments through Airwallex's comprehensive payment platform. It supports 45+ payment methods including cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay), Buy Now Pay Later options (Klarna, Afterpay), and regional payment methods across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Key features include:
• Like-for-like settlement - settle in the same currency customers pay, eliminating 2-4% FX fees
• Multi-currency wallet - hold 50+ currencies without forced conversion
• 180 country reach - global payment acceptance with automatic currency display
• Competitive FX rates at 0.3-0.5% when you choose to convert
• Seamless WHMCS integration with automatic payment method display

This combination makes it ideal for hosting companies with international customers who want to maximize revenue while minimizing currency conversion costs.

Question 2

Why choose Airwallex over other WHMCS payment gateways?

Accepted Answer

Four critical advantages over competitors like Stripe and PayPal:

1. Like-for-like settlement - Eliminate costly 2-4% FX conversion fees by settling in customers' currencies. This feature alone can save businesses thousands per month.

2. 45+ payment methods - Most comprehensive coverage of any WHMCS gateway, including regional payment methods competitors don't support.

3. Multi-currency wallet - Hold, convert, and transfer 50+ currencies with full control over when to convert.

4. 180 country reach - Global payment acceptance with automatic currency display and same-day settlement.

These features are especially valuable for hosting companies with international customers and businesses in Asia-Pacific markets where Airwallex dominates with WeChat Pay, Alipay, and regional wallet support.

Question 3

What makes Airwallex different from Stripe or PayPal for WHMCS?

Accepted Answer

The key difference is like-for-like settlement and multi-currency capabilities. Stripe and PayPal force immediate currency conversion at 2-4% fees on every international transaction. Airwallex settles payments in the original currency into your multi-currency wallet, letting you avoid these fees. You control when/if to convert currencies.

Additional advantages:
• 45+ payment methods vs Stripe's ~30 and PayPal's limited options
• 180 country coverage with automatic currency display
• Better Asia-Pacific support with native WeChat Pay, Alipay integration
• No monthly fees for holding multi-currency balances

For a detailed comparison, see our comparison page. Example: A hosting company processing $100,000/month in international payments saves $15,000-42,000 annually by avoiding forced conversion fees.

Question 4

Does WHMCS support all Airwallex payment methods?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the gateway automatically displays all payment methods enabled in your Airwallex account. When you enable new methods in your Airwallex dashboard, they appear automatically in WHMCS checkout without any code changes.

This includes all 45+ methods across:
• Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay)
• Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay)
• BNPL (Klarna, Afterpay)
• Regional methods (iDEAL, Sofort, PIX, etc.)

The system intelligently shows relevant methods based on customer location and transaction currency, optimizing conversion rates while maintaining payment choice.

Question 5

What WHMCS versions are supported?

Accepted Answer

The Airwallex gateway supports WHMCS 8.0 and higher. The module is regularly tested with the latest WHMCS versions to ensure compatibility.

System requirements:
• WHMCS 8.0+
• PHP 8.0 or higher
• IonCube Loader (required)
• SSL certificate (mandatory for PCI compliance)
• Active Airwallex business account

The module receives regular updates for compatibility with new WHMCS releases. If you're on an older WHMCS version, we recommend upgrading to access the latest features and security improvements.

Question 6

Can I test before going live?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Airwallex provides a comprehensive sandbox environment for thorough testing before processing real payments.

Testing process:
1. Obtain test API credentials from your Airwallex dashboard
2. Configure the module in test mode
3. Use test card numbers to simulate various scenarios
4. Test successful payments, failures, and different payment methods
5. Verify webhook notifications and payment status updates

We strongly recommend thorough testing of all payment flows before switching to production mode. This includes testing recurring payments, refunds, and multi-currency scenarios. See our documentation for detailed testing guidance and test card numbers.

Question 7

What is multi-currency settlement?

Accepted Answer

Multi-currency settlement through Airwallex Payments means you receive and hold payments in the currency your customers pay in, without forced conversion. This is called "like-for-like settlement." For example: receive €1,000 from Germany → settle as €1,000 in your Airwallex multi-currency wallet; receive £500 from UK → settle as £500; receive $1,000 from US → settle as $1,000. Unlike other gateways that force immediate conversion to your home currency (charging 2-4% FX fees), Airwallex lets you hold multiple currencies and convert only when you choose, eliminating costly conversion fees and giving you more control over your international revenue.

Question 8

How much can I save by eliminating FX conversion fees?

Accepted Answer

By using like-for-like settlement, you avoid the 2-4% forced conversion fees that other payment gateways charge. Example: $10,000 monthly international revenue saves $200-400/month ($2,400-4,800 annually). With Stripe or PayPal, every international payment gets automatically converted to your home currency at 2-4% markup. Airwallex settles in the original currency, letting you hold those funds and convert later at better rates or use them to pay international suppliers directly.

Question 9

What is like-for-like settlement?

Accepted Answer

Like-for-like settlement is Airwallex's feature that settles payments in the same currency your customer pays. If a German customer pays €1,000, you receive €1,000 in your Airwallex multi-currency wallet. There's no automatic conversion to your home currency, so you avoid the typical 2-4% FX conversion fees other gateways charge. You can then choose to keep those euros for European suppliers, convert when exchange rates are favorable, or transfer to your local bank account. This is a major competitive advantage for businesses with international customers.

Question 10

What currencies can I settle and hold?

Accepted Answer

Airwallex allows you to hold balances in 50+ currencies simultaneously in your multi-currency wallet. Major currencies include: EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, CAD, SGD, HKD, NZD, JPY, CNY, CHF, and many more. When customers pay in any of these currencies, funds settle directly into that currency balance. You can hold, transfer, or convert currencies as needed for your business operations.

Question 11

How does automatic currency conversion work?

Accepted Answer

Airwallex automatically detects or uses your specified location to display prices in the customer's local currency and show relevant payment methods. For example, a German customer sees prices in EUR and payment options like iDEAL and Sofort; a UK customer sees GBP with appropriate methods. This automatic localization increases conversion rates. The payment then settles in that currency in your Airwallex wallet through like-for-like settlement.

Question 12

Can I use my multi-currency wallet to pay suppliers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, one major benefit of Airwallex's multi-currency wallet is using those funds to pay international suppliers without additional conversion. If you receive EUR from European customers and have European suppliers, you can pay them directly in EUR from your wallet. Airwallex offers global payout network and corporate cards for this purpose. This creates a complete international payment ecosystem beyond just accepting payments.

Question 13

What happens if I want to convert currencies?

Accepted Answer

You have full control over currency conversion. Through your Airwallex dashboard, you can convert between currencies at competitive rates whenever you choose. This flexibility lets you: convert when exchange rates are favorable; avoid conversion if you'll use that currency for expenses; strategically manage currency risk. Unlike forced conversion gateways, you decide when and what to convert.

Question 14

Do customers pay in their local currency?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Airwallex automatically displays prices and processes payments in the customer's local currency based on their location or your WHMCS multi-currency configuration. This improves conversion rates as customers see familiar currency and pricing. The payment then settles in that same currency in your multi-currency wallet (like-for-like settlement).

Question 15

How do I install the Airwallex WHMCS Gateway?

Accepted Answer

Installation is straightforward and typically takes 15-20 minutes:

Step-by-step process:
1. Download the module from your account
2. Upload to your WHMCS directory `/modules/gateways/`
3. Go to WHMCS Admin → Setup → Payments → Payment Gateways
4. Search for "Airwallex" and click activate
5. Enter your API credentials from Airwallex dashboard
6. Configure X-Frame-Options in WHM/cPanel (required for iframe security)
7. Test in sandbox mode with test credentials
8. Switch to production when ready

Important: Don't skip the testing phase. Use the sandbox environment to verify all payment flows before processing real payments.

See our complete documentation for detailed step-by-step instructions with screenshots.

Question 16

What are the system requirements?

Accepted Answer

Required:
• WHMCS 8.0 or higher
• PHP 8.0+ (8.1 or 8.2 recommended)
• IonCube Loader (required for module encryption)
• SSL certificate (mandatory for PCI compliance)
• Airwallex business account
• cPanel/WHM access (for X-Frame-Options configuration)

Recommended server specs:
• 2GB+ RAM for small installations
• 4GB+ RAM for high-traffic sites
• SSD storage for better performance

Compatibility:
The module works with shared hosting, VPS, or dedicated servers that meet these requirements. Most modern hosting environments already have PHP 8+ and IonCube Loader installed. If not, your hosting provider can typically install them quickly.

Question 17

Do I need a special Airwallex account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you need an Airwallex business account. Personal accounts are not supported for payment processing.

Account setup process:
1. Sign up at airwallex.com
2. Complete business verification process (typically 1-3 business days)
3. Complete PCI-DSS SAQ A questionnaire (simple for iframe implementation)
4. Receive API credentials once approved

Requirements:
• Valid business registration
• Business documentation
• Identity verification
• Bank account details

Airwallex accounts are available in multiple countries. Check airwallex.com for your region's availability. The verification process is straightforward but thorough to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Question 18

How do I get API credentials?

Accepted Answer

From your Airwallex dashboard:

Step-by-step:
1. Log into your Airwallex account
2. Navigate to Settings → API Keys
3. Create a new API key set
4. Copy your Client ID and API Key
5. Store these securely
6. Enter them in your WHMCS payment gateway configuration

Important security notes:
• Create separate keys for test and production environments
• Never share your API keys
• Don't commit them to version control
• You can revoke and regenerate keys anytime if compromised
• Use test credentials for sandbox testing

See our documentation for detailed screenshots of the API key generation process.

Question 19

Why disable X-Frame-Options in WHM?

Accepted Answer

The Airwallex payment form runs in an iframe for PCI compliance and security. The X-Frame-Options header in WHM/cPanel can block this iframe, preventing the payment form from loading.

Why this configuration is needed:
• Airwallex uses an iframe to ensure payment data never touches your server
• This maintains PCI-DSS SAQ A compliance (simplest level)
• X-Frame-Options prevents all iframes by default (security feature)
• We need to allow Airwallex's specific iframe

Security trade-off:
You're allowing Airwallex's secure iframe (from their PCI-certified servers) while still blocking other potentially malicious iframes. This is a controlled exception for a trusted payment provider.

Our documentation provides exact configuration steps for WHM/cPanel to allow only Airwallex iframes while maintaining security.

Question 20

How long does installation take?

Accepted Answer

Typical installation: 15-20 minutes for someone familiar with WHMCS.

Time breakdown:
• Uploading the module: 2 minutes
• Activating in WHMCS: 2 minutes
• Entering API credentials: 3 minutes
• Configuring X-Frame-Options: 5 minutes
• Testing in sandbox: 5-10 minutes

First-time installers: May take up to 30 minutes, especially if unfamiliar with WHM/cPanel configuration.

If you encounter issues:
• Our documentation includes troubleshooting steps
• Check WHMCS logs for specific error messages
• Contact support for assistance
• Most issues are related to X-Frame-Options or SSL configuration

The key is not rushing through testing. Spend adequate time in sandbox mode verifying all payment flows work correctly before going live.

Question 21

How many payment methods does Airwallex WHMCS support?

Accepted Answer

Airwallex supports 45+ payment methods across six categories:

1. Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay

2. Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, PayNow, FPS, GrabPay, Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Kakao Pay

3. Buy Now Pay Later: Klarna, Afterpay/Clearpay

4. European Methods: iDEAL, Sofort, Bancontact, eps, Giropay, Trustly, BLIK, Przelewy24, SEPA Direct Debit, Paysafecard

5. Asia-Pacific Methods: Multiple regional wallets and payment systems

6. Latin American: PIX (Brazil)

This is the most comprehensive payment method coverage of any WHMCS gateway, enabling you to accept payments from customers worldwide using their preferred local payment methods.

Question 22

Does WHMCS support Klarna payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Klarna is fully supported through the Airwallex WHMCS Gateway.

Klarna options:
• Pay in 3 installments
• Pay in 30 days
• Financing options (varies by country and amount)

Availability: Popular in Europe, North America, and Australia

How it works:
1. Customer selects Klarna at checkout
2. Chooses their preferred payment plan
3. Completes quick Klarna verification
4. You receive full payment immediately
5. Customer pays Klarna over time

Benefits:
• Increases conversion rates, especially for higher-value packages
• Reduces cart abandonment
• Customer bears any fees (not you)
• Automatic display when enabled in Airwallex dashboard

This is particularly valuable for annual hosting plans or premium services where customers prefer to spread payments.

Question 23

Can I accept WeChat Pay with WHMCS?

Accepted Answer

Yes, WeChat Pay is fully supported, and Airwallex is one of the strongest providers for WeChat Pay integration.

Why this matters:
• Essential for serving Chinese customers
• WeChat has over 1 billion users
• Dominant payment method in China
• Popular with global Chinese community

How it works:
• Desktop: Customer scans QR code with WeChat app
• Mobile: In-app payment with quick authentication
• Instant payment confirmation
• Multi-currency support

Airwallex's advantage:
Their China expertise makes this integration reliable and competitive. Transaction limits and settlement terms are better than most Western payment providers.

Enable WeChat Pay in your Airwallex dashboard, and it automatically displays for customers in relevant regions.

Question 24

Does it support Apple Pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Apple Pay is fully supported with seamless one-tap checkout on Apple devices.

How it works:
• Works on iPhone, iPad, Mac with Safari
• Customer sees Apple Pay button at checkout
• Authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID
• Payment completes instantly
• No need to enter card details

Supported cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards stored in Apple Wallet

Benefits:
• Significantly increases mobile conversion rates
• Faster checkout (reduces cart abandonment)
• More secure (no card details shared with merchant)
• Better user experience on iOS devices

The feature works automatically when enabled in your Airwallex account - no additional configuration needed in WHMCS.

Question 25

Can I accept Google Pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Google Pay is fully supported for fast, secure checkout.

Platform support:
• Android devices (phone, tablet)
• Chrome browser on desktop
• Any device with Google Pay enabled

How it works:
• Customer clicks Google Pay button
• Authenticates with biometric (fingerprint/face)
• Selects saved card from Google account
• Payment completes in one click

Supported cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express stored in Google account

Benefits:
• Particularly popular on mobile devices
• Increases conversion rates dramatically
• Faster checkout process
• Secure tokenization (cards aren't shared)

Like Apple Pay, it appears automatically in your WHMCS checkout when enabled in Airwallex, optimizing the payment experience for Android users.

Question 26

How do settlements work with Airwallex Payments?

Accepted Answer

Payments process in real-time and settle into your Airwallex multi-currency wallet in the currency received (like-for-like settlement). Funds are immediately available in your wallet for: holding in that currency; converting to another currency; transferring to your bank account; paying suppliers through Airwallex's global network. Settlement timing to your bank account varies by currency and destination bank, but funds are available in your Airwallex wallet shortly after payment confirmation.

Airwallex WHMCS Gateway - Frequently Asked Questions