Payments at the kiosk
The ways guests can pay at the kiosk, from cash at the desk to Stripe by QR code, a Stripe card reader, or paying later.
At check-in and check-out, the kiosk shows what the guest owes and asks how they would like to pay. Choose which ways you accept in Settings → Reception → How guests pay. The guest picks one of them.
Ana never hears, reads or repeats card numbers. She only explains what to do.
The ways to pay
| Choice in Settings | What the guest sees | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Cash at the desk | "Please pay at the desk." | The desk is told. A staff member takes the cash and confirms the amount. |
| Card at the desk | "Please pay at the desk." | The same, on the desk's own card machine. |
| Stripe: a QR code to pay on the guest's phone | Pay on your phone | A QR code opens Stripe's payment page on the guest's phone. |
| Stripe card reader | Card reader | The guest pays on a Stripe Terminal reader next to the screen. |
| Pay later, at check-out | Pay at check-out | Nothing to pay now, or only a deposit. |
The default is cash and card at the desk.
Cash or card at the desk
The kiosk asks the guest to pay at the desk, and a request appears for your team on the Front Desk page and on WhatsApp.
- Take the payment.
- On the Front Desk page, under Guests at reception, type the amount taken.
- Press Cash taken or Card taken.
The payment is recorded on the booking, and the kiosk moves on. Recording it needs a role that can take payments. See Guest requests and the front desk.
Stripe by QR code
This needs your own Stripe account connected in Finance → Card payments. See Payments.
- The guest scans the QR code and pays on Stripe's page on their own phone. Apple Pay and Google Pay work there too.
- The kiosk shows "Waiting for Stripe to confirm…". ChatBeds asks Stripe directly every few seconds, so the payment is confirmed even if your Stripe webhook is late or not set up.
- Pay on this screen instead opens Stripe's page on the kiosk itself. After paying, Stripe brings the guest back to the reception page.
The money goes straight to your Stripe account.
Stripe card reader
For chip, PIN and contactless, you can put a Stripe Terminal reader next to the kiosk.
- Connect Stripe in Finance → Card payments, and register the reader in your Stripe account.
- In Settings → Reception, tick Stripe card reader.
- Under Devices at the desk, press Choose card readers, then choose the reader for each device.
Each device can have its own reader. The option shows to guests only when Stripe is connected and the device has a reader.
Pay later, at check-out
The guest pays nothing at check-in and settles the bill when they check out. You can ask for a deposit now, as a percent of the stay, under Deposit now, for paying later.
If something goes wrong
- A guest can change their mind with Another way to pay. Any Stripe page or reader payment still open is closed first.
- If a payment fails, Ana offers another way to pay, or calls someone.
- At check-out, the guest must pay what is left before they can check out at the kiosk.
Still need help?
Check-in and check-out at the kiosk
How guests find their booking safely at the kiosk, each check-in step, assisted or self check-in, check-out, and walk-in bookings.
Guest requests and the front desk
How guests' requests at the kiosk reach your staff on WhatsApp, how to answer with otw, and the Guests at reception panel on the Front Desk page.