Using an authorization hold allows you to freeze funds on a guest's credit card for a limited time.
This is typically used in the hospitality industry to guarantee payment for the reservation, though a hold can also be used to secure funds for potential damages or for any other purpose.
The hold expires automatically after seven days (five days on Visa credit cards) but you can release the funds manually at any point during that time.
Adding an authorization hold can be done either manually or automatically in Guesty. Follow the instructions below.
Add an authorization hold manually
If a reservation's remaining balance is already fully accounted for, you will not see the option to add an authorization hold manually. Additionally, the hold amount cannot exceed the outstanding balance. To add an authorization hold with a larger amount than the outstanding balance, increase the outstanding balance by adding an extra invoice item to the reservation, or by adjusting the guest folio.
Step by step:
- Sign in to your Guesty account.
- In the top navigation bar, click the mode selector and select Financials mode.
- Click Reservations.
- Click the relevant reservation.
- Click Balance Due / Payout in the grey banner at the top of the page.
- Scroll down to the "Payments" section.
- To the right, click Payment actions and select Add authorization hold.
- In the pop-up, fill in the necessary details.
- Click Hold now or Save, depending on whether you set the hold for the current or future date.
Step by step:
- Sign in to your Guesty account.
- In the top navigation bar, click More and then select Reservations from the dropdown menu.
- Click the relevant reservation.
- Click Balance Due / Payout in the grey banner at the top of the page.
- Scroll down to the "Payments" section.
- To the right of "Payments", click More actions then Add authorization hold.
- In the pop-up, fill in the necessary details.
- Click Hold now or Save, depending on whether you set the hold for the current or future date.
Add an automatic authorization hold (Pro users only)
Add an authorization hold as part of your auto payments setup.
Step by step:
- Sign in to your Guesty account.
- In the top navigation bar, click the mode selector and select Operations mode.
- Click Properties.
- Select the relevant listing. For a multi-unit, access the listing's main settings. The change will be applied to all sub-units.
- In the left-side menu, click Pricing & policies, then select Auto payments.
- Click Add rule and select Authorization hold.
- Fill in the relevant fields.
Important:
For Vrbo request to book reservations, the authorization hold must be collected at confirmation.
- Click Save.