Text to Pay lets staff send a patient a secure link — by text or email — so the patient can enter their payment method privately from their own device. This removes the need for patients to read card details aloud over the phone.
Take Note: The provider must have Text to Pay enabled, and the staff user must have permission to use the feature.
How It Works
Text to Pay runs as two parallel workflows: one for staff in Flywire, and one for the patient on their device.
Staff Steps
1. Start the payment or payment method workflow in Flywire.
2. In the Text to Pay section, select Phone or Email.
3. Enter or confirm the patient's phone number or email address.
4. Select Send SMS or Send Email.
5. Flywire displays a Waiting for patient message.
6. When the patient completes the form, a success message appears: The patient successfully added their payment information.
7. Select Close and Continue.
8. Review the payment information and click Submit.
If the patient doesn't receive the initial message, select Resend SMS or Resend Email at any time.
Patient Steps
- Open the text or email from the provider.
- Select the secure link.
- On the Securely add your payment method page, choose a payment method type: Credit Card or eCheck (if available).
- Enter the required payment details.
- Select Continue.
- Wait for the confirmation message: Your Payment Method has been added. You can now close this page.
What the Patient Receives
Text Message
The patient receives a message similar to:
This is a message from [Provider Name] to securely add your payment method. Select here to begin: [secure link]
The email subject is: Securely add your payment method
The email directs the patient to select Add Payment Method or use the secure link.
Payment Methods
The options available depend on the provider's configuration.
Credit Card
The patient may be asked to enter:
- Name on card
- Card number
- Expiration month and year
- Billing ZIP code
- CVV (if required by the provider)
- Billing state (if required by the provider)
Accepted card types vary by provider (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).
eCheck
If eCheck is enabled, the patient may enter:
- Name on account
- Account type
- Routing number
- Account number (and confirmation)
Link Behavior and Security
Link Expiration
The secure link is valid for 15 minutes. If a patient opens an expired link, they see:
Link has expired — The secure message link has expired for security purposes. Please request a new one.
Staff can resend a new link if needed.
Single-Use Links
Once a payment method has been added, the link cannot be reused. If the patient tries to open it again, they see:
Payment method already entered — A payment method has already been entered for this token.
Important: Text to Pay securely captures the payment method — it does not process the payment automatically. Staff may still need to complete or confirm the payment workflow in Flywire after the patient finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Patients
Do I need a Flywire account to use the link? No. The link takes you directly to the payment entry page — no account required.
How long does the link stay active? The link is valid for 15 minutes for security reasons.
What if my link expires? Ask the staff member to send you a new text or email with a fresh link.
Can I use the same link more than once? No. Once a payment method is added, the link cannot be reused.
What payment methods can I add? You may be able to add a credit card or eCheck, depending on what your provider accepts.
What should I do if I see an error? Double-check the information you entered. If the error continues, contact the billing office for help.
For Staff
Who can use Text to Pay? Staff users with the appropriate permission, at providers who have the feature enabled.
Can I send by text or email? Yes — both SMS and email are supported.
How long should I wait for the patient? The page checks for completion while the waiting message is open. The link is valid for 15 minutes.
Can I resend the message? Yes. Select Resend SMS or Resend Email from the waiting modal.
What happens when the patient completes the form? Flywire displays a success message and the workflow continues.
What if the patient says their link expired? Send a new Text to Pay message using the resend option.
Does Text to Pay process the payment automatically? No. It adds the payment method securely. Staff may still need to complete or confirm the payment workflow in Flywire.
For questions about feature availability or permissions, contact your Flywire account team.