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What to Check Before You Disburse a Booking
What to Check Before You Disburse a Booking

In this article we run through best practices on what you need to check and look out for before you disburse a reservation to an owner.

Pappu Shah avatar
Written by Pappu Shah
Updated over a month ago

Objective:

This article outlines the essential checks to perform before disbursing funds for a booking. After reading, users will understand best practices to ensure accurate and smooth disbursement.

In this Article, You Will Learn How to:

  • Use the Inbox tab to review guest conversations

  • Verify guest check-in status

  • Confirm that the booking wasn’t cancelled in OTA channels

  • Ensure correct receipted amounts

  • Double-check commission details

  • Ensure that the guests checkout date is in the past

Step 1: Review Guest Conversations

  • Navigate to the booking details page.

  • Click on the "Inbox" tab to review the conversation with the guest.

  • Check for any reported issues such as cleaning, check-in problems, or other concerns during their stay.

Step 2: Verify Guest Check-In Status

  • While in the "Inbox" tab, ensure that the guest checked into the property as expected.

  • Look for any messages or notifications confirming their check-in.

Step 3: Confirm Booking Status in OTA Channels

  • Ensure that the booking was not canceled in the OTA channel, such as Booking.com.

  • Cross-check the booking status in the respective OTA management system to confirm it remains active and valid.

Step 4: Verify Receipted Amounts

  • Check the "Trust" section for payment details.

  • Ensure the correct amount of money has been receipted. If the amount receipted is less than the amount charged to the guest, the system will not allow disbursement and will indicate insufficient funds.

  • If there is no amount receipted, it won't allow you to disburse the funds

  • After it has been received, it will allow you to then disburse the funds

Step 5: Double-Check Commission Details

  • Go to the "Accommodation Disbursement" section.

  • Verify that the correct commissions have been applied and calculated.

  • Ensure all deductions such as channel fees and cleaning charges are accurately reflected.

Step 6: Ensure that the checkout date has passed

  • Head over to the Summary tab.

  • Airbnb may pay you out while the guest is at the home

  • Make sure you check the guests checkout date, to ensure it is in the past

  • This ensures you are fully compliant with Australian Trust laws, as you cannot disburse a booking until that booking has passed

Use Case Scenarios

  • End-of-Stay Review: Before disbursing funds after a guest’s stay, ensuring all these checks helps in resolving any issues that might affect the payout.

  • Financial Accuracy: Verifying amounts and commissions ensures accurate financial records and prevents discrepancies.

  • Avoiding Owner Callbacks: Checking the guest's checkout date is in the past status helps in preventing paying out an owner, and then a guest from cancelling their stay due to unforeseen circumstances. You then have to pay the guest back and retrieve those funds form the owner.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered the necessary steps to ensure a smooth disbursement process for a booking. By reviewing guest conversations, verifying check-in status, confirming booking validity in OTA channels, ensuring correct receipted amounts, and double-checking commission details, users can ensure accurate and efficient disbursements. Following these best practices helps in maintaining financial accuracy and addressing any potential issues promptly.

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