The way Lodgify's security deposit works with an external channel depends on each OTA. Some external channels can import the security deposit settings you have in Lodgify; others cannot.
Read about:
How the security deposit works with each channel
In the following table, we will give you an overview of each channel and explain which settings can be synchronized.
| Channel | Synchronized | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | ✔️ |
Only manual and pre-authorized security deposits of a fixed amount are synchronized. Deposits set as a percentage are not synchronized. On Airbnb, the security deposit appears as text on your listing. You collect it yourself, outside Lodgify and Airbnb. 💡 Note: You can show a different security deposit on Airbnb, or none at all. See Edit channel configurations for Airbnb API. |
| Vrbo | ✔️ |
For Vrbo, the security deposit can be set up in the following ways:
To synchronize the security deposit with Vrbo, set it up in the Vrbo policy that is created after the connection, under the Policies tab in your Settings section. |
| Expedia | ❌ | Lodgify's security deposit cannot be synchronized with this channel. |
| Booking.com | ❌ | Lodgify's security deposit cannot be synchronized with this channel. |
How a pre-authorized security deposit works for Vrbo bookings
As you can see in the above table, Vrbo offers the most complete synchronization of the security deposit settings and is currently the only channel that you can use with our security deposit pre-authorization. The pre-authorization is a functionality that allows you to automatically block (not charge) the security deposit on your guest's card and select when this amount should be blocked and for how long.
To start, set up the security deposit in the Vrbo policy. Learn how to configure a security deposit.
During the booking process
Once the security deposit is configured, the guest will be able to see that a security deposit will be due for this booking when making the reservation in Vrbo. They will simply need to click Price details for the total booking price.
After the booking is confirmed
The security deposit is handled by Vrbo as a stay collected fee, which, by Vrbo's definition, is charged in cash at check-in. As you will use the client's credit card, you will need to communicate to your guest that, in case you use the method to pre-authorize, the amount will be blocked temporarily on their credit card.
To do so, you have different options (that can be combined):
- You can either include all the details in the description of the rental.
- You can add it to one of your email templates or send a message to the guest after the reservation is created.
After the reservation is imported from Vrbo, the policy will display the configuration created, while the Security Deposit section will show the amount to be collected and the date when this will be blocked from the account.