This article applies to direct booking rates only, not any connected channels (OTAs). To set up reservation deposits for your connected OTA channels, please refer to their extranet or contact their support team.
Overview
Direct booking deposits allow you to secure advance payments from guests at the time of booking. This helps to reduce cancellations, improve cash flow and protect against no-shows. Align your deposits with the cancellation penalty for each direct booking rate. Offer both flexible and non-refundable rates to help capture more bookings and maximise your revenue.
Processing deposits
Integrated payment gateway: with Little Hotelier Pay or an integrated third-party payment gateway, deposits are charged automatically
No payment gateway: deposits need to be charged manually using guest's card details provided. Note: The deposit will not be automatically debited but guests will see a message in your booking engine notifying them the amount will be debited.
Setting up reservation deposits
Note: Room rates must be set up first before enabling deposits.
To set up reservation deposits required for direct booking rates:
Go to My apps > Direct Booking > Setup > Rooms & Rates and choose a room rate
Check Enable deposits
Choose a deposit type
Full amount: entire booking paid upfront
First night: charge the first night's stay cost
Fixed amount: set a specific amount
Percentage: charge a certain percentage of the total cost
Deposit types and messages
No deposit: Book now, pay later
Full amount: Pay today
First night: One-night deposit required
Fixed amount: (Currency) X deposit required.
Percentage: X% deposit required
Note:
Remember to set up accepted credit cards for your property
Don't set a fixed amount exceeding the total booking cost
For non-refundable bookings, use the full amount deposit
Bookings with multiple rooms incur a deposit based on each room's first night cost
Security deposits: To set up a security deposit for your booking engine (such as a deposit for any damages), you can add the policy into your property’s Terms, conditions and privacy policy.
Disable deposits
Disable deposits for a room rate:
Go to My apps > Direct Booking > Setup > Rooms & Rates and choose the room rate.
Uncheck Enable deposits.
Save changes.