# Vouchers
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/payment-methods/alt-pay-methods/vouchers/index.md

Voucher Payments are an alternative payment method available through the Mastercard Gateway that allows merchants to accept customer payments using voucher-based payment mechanisms.

Voucher Payments:

* Support voucher generation, voucher redemption, and voucher payment processing.
* Enable customers to complete a purchase online and pay later through an approved voucher payment network or participating retail payment location.
* Support customers who prefer cash-based payment methods or do not use traditional card payment methods.
* Enable merchants to expand payment acceptance options while managing transactions through a consistent Mastercard Gateway integration model.
* Support transaction creation, payment status tracking, and refund processing through Mastercard Gateway APIs.   

Use Voucher Payments when you need to offer cash-based or voucher-based payment options as part of a broader alternative payment strategy.

## Recommended paths {#recommended-paths}

Select the path that matches your role and integration requirements.

|                                 If you are a...                                  |                       Then focus on...                       |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Acquirer**, a bank or acquiring institution that enables merchants             | Configuring Voucher Payments across your merchant portfolio. |
| **Payment service provider**, a PSP, aggregator, or payment facilitator          | Integrating Voucher Payments across multiple merchants.      |
| **Enterprise merchant**, a large merchant integrating directly with Gateway APIs | Using Voucher Payments in your checkout experience.          |
| **Software vendor**, an ISV embedding payment flows into platforms               | Embedding Voucher Payments in your platform.                 |

## Learn more {#learn-more}

Explore these topics for additional information:

* [Integration models and payment workflows](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/build/index.md)
* [Supported payment methods](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/payment-methods/index.md)
* [API reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/api-reference/index.md)

## Versions {#versions}

These versions apply to Voucher Payments.

|             If you need...              |                                        Then...                                         |
|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **To integrate to an API**              | Use Version 100 of the Mastercard Gateway API for all new integrations.                |
| **Support for an existing integration** | Refer to each voucher payment method documentation for minimum supported API versions. |

## FAQs {#faqs}

Voucher Payments allow customers to select a voucher-based payment option during checkout and complete payment through a participating voucher payment provider. Voucher Payments can be supported through Hosted Checkout and Direct API integrations when Voucher Payments are enabled for the merchant.