Experience the difference of "Elite".

"Request to book" for our own website

Loretta K
Sep 5, 2022 7:21 AM
Joined Jul, 2022 12 posts

I understand how to select request to book on the channels like AirBnB and Vrbo, but how can I do that for our own website?  Users on the FB forum say they can do it but no one remembers how they configured it.  We have our own Wordpress site and I'm currently using the "Book Now" widget.

Chris Hynes
Sep 5, 2022 1:18 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1400 posts

To do that, there's a setting in the property Rules section called "card will not be charged". It's been there for many years so it predates the term "Request To Book" -- we should probably rename that so it's less confusing :-D

Anyway, to turn that on, go to the Rules section of each property and set it the option (see screenshot). Then the booking will come in with a card on file but not be charged, and will be either pending or confirmed depending on the setting you choose underneath.

Then, once it's in the system you can either confirm it and take payment or cancel it.

Alternatively, if you want guests to only be able to send inquiries through the widgets but fully book once you send them a quote, then set your booking widgets into Inquiry Only mode and leave the card on file setting I referred to above alone. That way they can only send inquiries but not book now -- however, once you respond with a quote then they will be able to book now.

Loretta K
Sep 5, 2022 2:39 PM
Joined Jul, 2022 12 posts

Thanks!  Exactly what I wanted - the guest to sign the contract and submit payment information, but I would have some time to confirm availability before the booking is finalized.