What is the difference between a deposit, a card hold and prepayment?
A deposit is part of the price paid at booking. Prepayment is the whole price paid before the date. A card hold (refundable damage deposit, accommodation only) blocks an amount on the guest's card without charging it. Each is set in a different place.
How to do it
Deposit for a service: Services β the service β Deposit / No-show protection β Require deposit.
Deposit or 100 % prepayment for a unit: Accommodation β the unit β Fees & tax β Take a deposit.
Prepayment by transfer: Settings β Payment methods β Prepayment β Require payment up front.
Card hold: Accommodation β the unit β Fees & tax β Refundable damage deposit β Deposit amount.
Check it: make a test booking and read the payment summary β it shows what is paid today and what later.
Tips and common mistakes
- Deposit: a percentage or fixed amount of the price, paid by card or by QR transfer when booking; the rest is paid on site or later. Set per service (Business plan and up) or per unit (Accommodation Starter and up).
- Prepayment by card: with Card online the customer pays the whole price on Stripe's page; the booking waits as Pending until paid. For accommodation set Deposit (%) to 100 %.
- Prepayment by transfer: Require payment up front holds the place until the deadline you set; if you have not marked the transfer paid by then, the booking is cancelled and the place released. Works on every plan.
- Card hold: Refundable damage deposit in the unit β Fees & tax. The amount is only blocked around the stay and released after departure unless you report damage. Accommodation Professional, active card payments needed.
Why it matters
Choosing the right tool means you protect yourself against no-shows or damage without asking customers for more money than needed.
Frequently asked questions
When does the customer get a deposit back?
A card deposit is refunded automatically when the customer cancels within your deadline, minus any cancellation fee. A deposit paid by transfer you return yourself.
When is the damage deposit blocked and released?
It is placed on the saved card no earlier than 2 days before arrival and released automatically after departure (you choose how many days). If you report damage, you charge only what is needed, once, with a reason the guest receives by email.
Is a card hold possible for services?
No. Holding an amount on the card is only for the accommodation damage deposit; services use a deposit or full prepayment.
Where to find it in Resovu
- Open in Resovu
Menu path: SettingsPayment methods
Learn more on resovu.com
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- Payments and discountsHow do I accept bank transfers with a QR code?
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