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 in addition to the total cost of the reservation. It’s an extra charge upfront to secure the booking and is not 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)