Money
Deposits
Ask a deposit at booking and the rest before arrival. Late deposits are listed and your managers are told. Nothing is cancelled.
A deposit rule says what a guest pays when they book, and when the rest is due. Set it in Settings → Invoices and deposits, under Deposits. A rate plan can have its own rule (Revenue → Rate plans, then edit the plan).
The rule
| At booking | Example |
|---|---|
| No deposit | Everything is paid at the hotel or as agreed |
| A percent of the total | 30% at booking |
| An amount | PKR 5,000 at booking |
| The first night | The first night's price at booking |
Then the rest: a number of days before arrival (for example 7), or empty for "at check-in".
Each booking keeps what it was asked when it was made. Changing the rule doesn't change bookings already made.
Where guests see it
- The booking page shows the deposit with the price. When you take cards, the guest pays the deposit by card when booking.
- Their booking page shows "Due now: a deposit of..." and when the rest is due. The Pay button asks for what is owed now.
- WhatsApp
bookreplies with "Deposit due now" and the date for the rest. - Partners using the API see the deposit on each booking.
Reminders and late deposits
- If the deposit isn't paid by the day after booking, the guest gets one reminder.
- Before the rest is due, they get a payment reminder (3 days before arrival unless you choose otherwise).
- Reminders go by WhatsApp and by email, in the guest's language. They need Payment reminder switched on under Settings → Booking page and guest messages, where you also choose how many days before arrival it goes.
- A booking whose deposit (or the rest) is late is listed under Deposits late on the Front Desk page. Your owner and general manager are told once on WhatsApp.
Nothing is cancelled for you
ChatBeds never cancels a booking for an unpaid deposit. You decide: remind the guest, wait, or cancel it yourself.
Still need help?