Setting up customer deposits before check-in helps businesses secure bookings, reduce last-minute cancellations, and improve cash flow. By collecting a portion of the payment upfront, businesses can confirm a customer's commitment and better plan for staffing, inventory, or room availability. This can be done easily through online booking systems or payment platforms, where customers pay a fixed amount or percentage when they reserve. It's a smart way to protect your time, reduce no-shows, and keep your operations running smoothly.

Before You Begin

You should have already completed:

• Create a New Reservation Type (How-To)
• Set a Base Rate for a Reservation Type (How-To)
   

Set Up Deposits

Important:  If you would like owners to pay the total upfront, you'll need to set up deposit dates for a 100% deposit.

1. Navigate to Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Deposits.
2. Locate the Deposit Dates section.
3. Select +Add.
   
    
4. Choose a location.

5. Choose a start and end date.

   Notice:  A deposit will be required for any reservation of the selected reservation types that falls within those dates. If you require a deposit all the time, choose an end date sometime far in the future.

6. Enter a dollar amount or percentage. Please only input one of these options.
    
   • The dollar amount is a flat rate: A flat-rate deposit is a fixed dollar amount that the pet parent pays  towards the total cost of the reservation. It’s an upfront charge to secure the booking that is deducted from the final balance.
   • The percentage is a percentage of the entire cost of the reservation, including any attached additional services: A percentage-based deposit is calculated as a percentage of the total reservation cost, including any added services. This amount is paid upfront and goes toward the final balance due at check-in.
7. Choose one or more Reservation Types.

8. Select the Save button to save.

    

Your deposit dates will now be displayed on the Deposit Dates admin page Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Deposit Dates.

Related Resources

• Reservation Deposits (Topic Outline)
• Deposit Management Overview (Reference)
• Manage Deposits on Requested Reservations (How-To)
• Send Deposit Requests (How-To)
• Collect Deposits (How-To)
• Apply Deposits at Checkout (How-To)
• Refund a Deposit (How-To)
• Forfeit a Deposit (How-To)
• Convert a Deposit to Store Credit (How-To)
• Refund a Deposit to a Different Payment Method (How-To)
• Deposits Report (Reference)