BrightStar uses Stripe Connect in "destination charges" mode. This architecture enables real-time payouts to organizers while maintaining platform-level reporting and refund capabilities.
Payment flow architecture diagram
Interactive component coming soon
Charge Flow
Step 1: Payment Initiation
Customer submits payment on BrightStar checkout.
Payment Intent created with destination charge.
Step 2: Fund Split
Total charge: $100 + $3.19 fees = $103.19
Platform fee (BrightStar): $2.74
Stripe fee: ~$3.19
Organizer receives: $97.26
Step 3: Settlement
Funds settled to organizer's Stripe account.
Payout to bank: 2-3 business days (Express)
Instant payout available (Standard, small fee)
Destination Charge Model
json
// Payment Intent creation (simplified)
{
"amount": 10319, // Total in cents
"currency": "usd",
"payment_method_types": ["card"],
"application_fee_amount": 274, // BrightStar fee
"transfer_data": {
"destination": "acct_organizer123"
},
"metadata": {
"order_id": "ord_abc123",
"event_id": "evt_xyz789"
}
}Fund Flow Timing
Charge → Platform Account
Immediate (milliseconds)
Platform → Connected Account
Immediate transfer (same charge)
Connected Account → Bank (Express)
2-3 business days (automatic)
Connected Account → Bank (Standard)
Configurable (daily, weekly, manual)
Instant payout: ~1% fee, minutes
Interactive payment flow visualization
Interactive component coming soon
Refund Handling
Full Refund Amount refunded: Full charge amount Platform fee: Returned to platform Stripe fee: NOT refunded by Stripe Net organizer impact: -Stripe fee only
Partial Refund Proportional amounts returned. Platform recalculates fee on new amount.
Refund Timing Initiation: Immediate Funds to customer: 5-10 business days Stripe processing fee: Retained by Stripe
Stripe retains its processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) on refunds. This is Stripe's policy. For a $100 refund, approximately $3.20 is not returned. Factor this into your refund policy.