Virtual Credit Cards (VCCs) are a secure payment method provided by booking channels, like Booking.com and Expedia Connect, that protects the guest's personal credit card details. When a guest pays for a reservation:
The booking channel collects the payment from the guest.
The channel then sends the payment to you via a VCC instead of the guest's personal card details.
VCC details appear on the reservation page in Guesty just like any other credit card.
Each VCC has an activation and expiration date set by the booking channel. The card can only be charged between these dates.
Charging VCCs from Booking.com and Expedia Connect
Guesty uses the exact loaded amount and activation date provided by Booking.com and Expedia Connect to ensure the charge is successful.
For VCCs from these two channels:
Guesty charges the exact amount provided by the channel, not the reservation balance.
Guesty waits until the activation date to start the charge.
Best practices
To ensure the VCC is charged automatically on or after the activation date and with the correct amount, use payment automations to process the charge.
If you prefer to charge the VCC manually, process the charge at least 24 hours after check-in.
Important:
Charging the VCC before the activation date, after the expiration date, or charging a higher amount than the VCC's loaded amount will result in a failed payment or an invalid card error.
Limitations
This information only applies to VCCs received from Booking.com and Expedia Connect. For VCCs from other channels, we will charge the full reservation balance at check-in.
VCCs can't be used for an Authorization Hold.