Learn how to approve inquiries from the Booking Engine or Google Vacation Rental, collect a guest's credit card through the Guest Portal, and convert the inquiry into a confirmed reservation.
How to confirm an inquiry from the Booking Engine or Google Vacation Rental?
Below, we explain the process of accepting inquiries coming from the Booking Engine or Google Vacation Rental:
- You received the inquiry
- You agree on all details with the guest and Approve the Inquiry
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Inquiries do not have a credit card associated, so when confirming an inquiry, you will need to collect the guest's credit card through the Guest Portal:
- You send the Guest Portal link to enter a valid credit card from the option Finalize Booking
- If the card is approved, this will change the reservation status from Inquiry to New
- Make sure to charge the guest - Either via auto charge or manual charge
- Once the status changes, the auto-messages, tasks, and all the rest will be triggered
Approve Inquiries from the Hostaway Dashboard
It's also possible to approve the inquiry from the inbox or from the inquiry reservation details before the credit card details are collected. Keep in mind, this will become a confirmed reservation with no payment method, but this can still be added by the guest through the Guest Portal at any time
Approve an inquiry from the Inbox
Approve an inquiry from the Reservation
Troubleshooting when approving Google VR Inquiries
- If you would like to prevent Google VR Instant Booking from happening, you should turn off the toggle Allow instant booking on your Hostaway Dashboard > Booking Engine > Settings
- If you would like to prevent Google VR inquiries from happening, you should turn off the Allow Inquiries toggle on your Hostaway Dashboard > Booking Engine > Settings
Remember that approved inquiries will become reservations with no credit card associated. You should manually approve each inquiry after confirming the details with the guest and providing them with the Guest Portal link to finalize the booking.