j
1
Jim

How to require a credit card/debit card before a reservation can be made

My site listing says no credit card required for reservation to be made.  I would like to change it to require a credit card/debit card for the full amount of the reservation at the time it is made, similar to other vacation rental sites.  Booking.com would then handle all the transactions and debit my bank account.  How can I make that change on the extranet site?

Thanks,

Jim


Profile picture for the user l
8
Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hi Jim!

Thanks for the post, it is one of the best options that you are after.

Booking.com has a method where they charge guests and they pay you 15 days or something like that after the got the payment. It's something that you will need to set up through them though, as in through a person. So my suggestion is to send them a message via the extranet (Inbox->Booking.com messages) asking that a consultant can please give you a call regarding setting up that payment plan. Then you can prepare a list of questions regarding how it works. Here is a link to how it normally goes:

https://partnerhelp.booking.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001615329

Keep in mind that it's not set up world wide yet, so your country might not be eligible yet.

If you want to charge the cards yourself, you can go to Property - > Policies and uncheck "We accept cash" policy. That means people won't be able to book without providing a credit card on the system. And then you must have a POS terminal (or similiar) that you can do cardless transactions on.

Best of luck!

s
1
Sgnhot1 5 years ago

I'm also just new . I asked the consultant for the help of payment they said there is no other choice but I need to collect by myself at the time of guest check in. It is quite disappointed .

Profile picture for the user l
8
Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hey Newbie,

Sadly yes, at the end of the day it's your property after all. So you need ensure the payment comes in.

We all have our own way of doing it.

I wish you all the best though! It will be well worth it

Profile picture for the user j
1
Julia at Forty trees 5 years ago

hi - I too am new in the Guest House business. It is true - it is our property after all- that we invest a lot of money into and are committed to having a successful business with great service. I have been disappointed twice in one week with the system making it easy for no shows. My only contact with the guest was via email which I used to welcome them and acknowledge their reservation but I never received any reply. No deposit, no card details, no contact number. The 2nd guest cancelled because a credit card test took the full payment for a stay although the listing offered no prepayment. I refunded him and he pointed out he was taking advantage of the no pre payment because he was strapped for cash and would have preferred to pay at the propery. i did say that would be fine , the card was tested and we were in contact but I think it chased him away. So unless I am missing something, I was very disappointed. I did chat with someone at Booking.com and they are always very polite and useful but it seems we have to sit it out while we are new in the first few months. The variables are amazing. I learn something new every day. Thanks Julia

Profile picture for the user l
8
Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hi Julia,

You seem to be in the right frame of mind about this. It's quite a learning curve! You will get to a way that works for you.

I really want to switch the EFT option on but if I can't reach my guest then I don't want to be left standing with no payment and an open room. The Credit card system works wonders, I take various %s in varying days after the booking is confirmed to ensure the booking has been paid. All is working well so far.

Anyway, I trust and believe you will have a successful run with Booking.com!

Keep adding to the forum as you discover please, it's very helpful.