Subtitle: Enable digital wallets, local bank transfers, and Buy Now Pay Later (APMs) to decrease friction and increase direct booking conversions.
⚠️ IMPORTANT (DISCLAIMER): Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) are processed dynamically based on the guest’s country, currency, and device. Some local payment methods do not allow saving card details for future use. Ensure you understand which methods allow recurring charges before modifying your guest payment rules.
1. Supported Payment Methods Breakdown
Stripe payment methods in Hostaway are divided into three categories based on how they process transactions and whether they allow recurring charges:
A. Default Payment Methods (Always Active)
These are enabled automatically once you connect your Stripe account to Hostaway:
- Credit & Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, etc.)
- Apple Pay. (displays automatically on compatible Apple devices and Safari browsers)
- Google Pay. (displays automatically on compatible devices and Chrome browsers)
- Link.com (Stripe’s secure, one-click checkout wallet)
B. Optional Methods (No Setup Fee / On-Demand Activation)
You can manually enable these through your Stripe Dashboard:
- Klarna (Buy Now, Pay Later installments)
- Amazon Pay (pay using Amazon wallet details)
- Revolut Pay (fast checkouts via the Revolut app)
C. Single-Use Payment Link Methods (Up to 45 Local Methods)
For one-time transactions where card details are not saved for future charges, Hostaway supports a vast list of local payment methods via payment links, including:
- iDeal (Netherlands - requires EUR currency)
- Pix (Brazil - requires BRL currency and local buyer)
- SEPA / ACH (Direct Bank Transfers)
- Bancontact (Belgium)
- CashApp & Affirm
For a complete and constantly updated list of all 45+ Stripe supported methods, please refer to the official Stripe Local Payment Methods guide.
2. Step-by-Step: Enabling Optional Payment Methods in Stripe
Hostaway securely inherits whatever settings you define in your Stripe account under our shared integration profile. There is no toggle or configuration setting inside the Hostaway dashboard to enable these.
Step-by-Step Configuration:
- Log in to your Stripe Dashboard (ensure you are logged in as the primary account owner, not a restricted team member).
- Navigate to Settings (Gear icon on the top right) > Payments > Payment Methods.
- Scroll down to find the section named "Hostaway Payment Methods".
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You can also access Payment Methods by going to Hostaway Dashboard > Settings > Integrations > Stripe > Click on Payment methods
- Click Manage configuration.
- You will see a list of available payment methods. Simply find the method you want to accept (e.g., Klarna, Amazon Pay) and click Enable next to it.
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Changes are applied instantly. Hostaway's Booking Engine and Payment Links will automatically start offering these options to eligible guests.
3. The Crucial Checkbox: "Save payment details for future use"
When sharing manual Payment Links with guests, you will notice a key setting: "Save payment details for future use" (Enabled by default). Understanding how this setting changes what the guest sees is critical:
- When ENABLED (Checked): The guest can only use payment methods that allow Stripe to securely save card details for future charges (such as Credit Cards, Amazon Pay, Klarna, or Revolut Pay). This is necessary if you have scheduled auto-payments or want to capture a security deposit later.
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When DISABLED (Unchecked): Stripe treats the transaction as a one-time checkout and unlocks all 45+ local payment methods (including iDeal, Pix, Affirm, SEPA, and CashApp). Note that you will not be able to charge this payment profile again for future automated rules or damage captures.
4. Why is a Payment Method Not Showing to a Guest? (Troubleshooting)
If you have enabled a method in Stripe (such as Pix or Klarna) but the guest cannot see it at checkout, this is usually due to Stripe's dynamic eligibility rules.
Before escalating to support, verify these 4 requirements:
- Device & Browser Compatibility: Apple Pay will only show on Apple Devices using Safari. Google Pay requires a compatible Chrome browser and an active card in the Google Wallet.
- Currency Match: Some methods require specific currencies. For example, Pix will only display if the listing and payment currency are strictly set to BRL. iDeal requires EUR.
- Guest Location: Stripe dynamically detects the guest's IP address and banking location. If the guest is not located in Brazil, Stripe won't present Pix as a payment option, even if you accept BRL.
- Account/Country Eligibility: Your own Stripe account's country of registration determines which methods you are allowed to offer. (e.g., Swiss accounts can offer Swiss-specific methods if eligible, but cannot offer regional methods of unsupported countries).
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use PayPal, Square, or physical credit card terminals?
No. Hostaway has deep API integrations with Stripe, Braintree, and Authorize.net. We do not support PayPal, Square, or external physical terminals. If you collect payments through these channels, you must record them manually as "Offline Charges" in Hostaway.
Q2: What Stripe transaction fees apply to alternative payment methods?
Stripe's processing fees depend strictly on your Stripe account country and the specific payment method chosen by the guest. Please consult your Stripe dashboard or Stripe.com/pricing for accurate local fee schedules. Note that Hostaway's standard application fees apply to all processed payments regardless of the method used.
Q3: Why does Apple Pay show "Amount Pending" on the guest's device?
This is expected behavior. During secure payment authentication flows (such as 3D Secure / SCA), Stripe triggers a secure bank verification (Setup Intent), which may display as "Amount Pending" or a "0 € authorization" in the guest's wallet app before executing the final transaction. This currently applies to the booking website only when the client is not requesting payment at check-out. The system will still request payment when using the Guest Portal upsell or Finalize Booking functions.
Q4: If I change Stripe accounts, do the guests' saved payment methods transfer over?
No, due to strict PCI Compliance regulations. Stored card data and Stripe customer profiles are permanently tied to the original Stripe account. If you disconnect Stripe and connect a new account, you must send guests their unique Guest Portal Link or a Payment Link to securely re-enter their card details into your new Stripe system.