Overview:
Setting up automated payments in PropertyStack allows you to streamline the payment process for both guests and owners, reducing manual effort and ensuring timely transactions. This article will guide you through the steps required to configure auto payments, including defining triggers, setting up deduction workflows, and ensuring the system is ready for automation before going live.
Steps:
Navigate to Automations:
Go to Settings at the bottom of your PropertyStack account.
Click on Automations, then select Payments to access the payment automation settings.
Add a Payment Workflow:
To create a new workflow, click Add.
Select the frequency for when you want the automated payment to occur.
The two primary options are:At Confirmation: This means the payment will be charged when a booking is made.
At Check-in: Choose this option if you want to charge before check-in (e.g., 7, 14, or 21 days before check-in).
For this example, let’s set the payment to be charged 14 days before check-in.
Set Payment Amount and Properties:
Decide on the payment amount to be charged. For instance, you could charge 50% of the booking amount.
Select the relevant properties to apply this workflow to, or select All Properties for a broader scope.
Add a Name & Description for the flow, then activate the flow by naming it appropriately.
Set Up a Second Flow for Remaining Payment:
If you're charging a portion of the payment upfront (e.g., 50% before check-in), ensure you add a second flow for the remaining payment. For example, you could set up a flow to charge the remaining 50% 7 days before check-in.
This step ensures the remaining balance is automatically charged, preventing any delays in collecting the full payment.
Configure Deductions:
You can also set up deductions to automatically deduct funds from a reservation or an owner's account.
These deductions can be either recurring or trigger-based:
Recurring Deductions: For example, you may want to automatically charge an owner for monthly Wi-Fi costs. Set the deduction as recurring, specify the amount (e.g., $50 per month), and select the properties that will incur this deduction.
Trigger-based Deductions: These deductions are based on events such as a reservation being created. For instance, if you charge an admin fee of $15 for each reservation, set it as trigger-based, and PropertyStack will charge it automatically whenever a new reservation is made.
Finalize Setup Before Going Live:
Ensure all payment workflows and deductions are properly set up and activated before going live with PropertyStack. This will help prevent any issues with automated payments once you start managing live reservations.
Reach Out for Assistance:
If you encounter any issues or need guidance on setting up the workflows, reach out to the PropertyStack support team. They are available to help you configure the system according to your business requirements.
Conclusion:
Setting up auto payments in PropertyStack is a simple process that can significantly reduce manual intervention and streamline payment management. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that payments are automatically processed for both guests and owners, while also keeping everything transparent in the system. Additionally, using deductions and automated payment triggers can help make your operations even more efficient.