Learn how payments and auto payments work for Booking.com listings in Hostaway, how to configure automatic charges, and what to check when payment processing is not working as expected.
What is this?
Payment processing for Booking.com listings in Hostaway can be streamlined by utilizing the auto-payment functionality. Below, we've outlined everything you need to know about setting up auto payments, troubleshooting common issues, and understanding payment schedules.
Setting Up Auto Payments for Booking.com
To ensure payments are automatically captured for your Booking.com listings and reservations are confirmed only after payment, follow these steps:
- Access the Auto-Payments Setup: Log in to your Hostaway account and navigate to the payment settings.
- Enable Auto Payments for Booking.com: Ensure that the auto-payment feature is configured for Booking.com. This setup ensures that all charges for guests booking through Booking.com are automatically processed by your payment processor.
- Follow Hostaway's Guest Payments Guide: Refer to the 'Guest Payments: Auto-payments' guide on Hostaway for detailed configuration instructions, and ensure settings are finalized before opening your listing.
Troubleshooting Auto Payment Issues
If the auto payment for your Booking.com listings is not working as expected:
- Verify Configuration: Double-check your auto-payment settings to ensure they are configured correctly. If the setup is not visible under your Hostaway account, review the setup process for Booking.com.
- Check Pre-Charge Timing: Ensure that the auto-payment charge has been set to process at least one day before the guest's check-in date.
- Consult Support: If you continue to experience difficulties, contact Hostaway support for assistance.
Understanding Scheduled Payments
Key Points on Payment Dates:
- Hostaway’s auto-payment schedule applies only to new reservations made after any schedule changes are implemented.
- Existing reservations will retain the rules active at the time of booking.
Viewing Scheduled Payments:
To view the payment date for a specific reservation:
- Navigate to the reservation details in your Hostaway dashboard.
- Go to the 'Payment' or 'Charges' section.
- Check for: - Scheduled charges- Charge status (e.g., Due, Scheduled, Paid)- Scheduled payment dates for pending charges
If no charges are visible, it could indicate:
- The auto-payment rule did not apply to this booking.
- A charge was not automatically created.
In Case of Missing Charges:
Manually add a charge or send a payment link to the guest as needed.
Confirming Automatic Payment and Additional Notes
The Booking.com channel is included in Hostaway’s auto-payment functionality by default. This means any reservation from Booking.com via Hostaway is set to be automatically charged through your payment processor. By following these guidelines, you can ensure seamless management of your Booking.com payments in Hostaway, minimizing disruptions and ensuring timely transactions.