I've been asking for this feature since we joined Hostfully in 2020 and have continually been told you guys were working on it. Very disappointed this isn't a feature as it seems to be commonplace with your competitors.

Taking only pre authorizations for VRBO sec deposits like Lodgify, Avantio and most others do

I've made this request as a set of updates to the stripe integration.
Hopefully this will be one of those changes.

Stripe supports up to 30 day holds.

Currently, we can only pre-authorize a guest's credit card for the security deposit for up to 7 days. We would like to request an option to extend this pre-authorization period—ideally up to 30 days.

To avoid charges through stripe by wiring a deposit that will be reimbursed, this would be an amazing feature to avoid and streamline the processes.

This function is critical, ideally, I would charge a guest 2 days before check- in and reimburse the guests 2 days after checkout. a hold, doesn't have processing fees which saves us money while a charge wastes money.

This is available with the setting "additional charge option" - see https://help.hostfully.com/en/articles/3032124-use-the-additional-charge-option

Basically I am just trying to find a hack to make your system authorize a credit card when a booking outside of 30 days is made so a credit card is taken. I like when the additional charge option is turned on for direct bookings but not for API connected. I am not interested in collecting a security deposit but thought it might be the 'hack' I need to get the CC authorization. If we were only on Airbnb would be fine since it wouldn't charge the security deposit but VRBO does and even set at $1 will add customer questions to us. I don't care if the credit card form even makes an authorization just that it forces the customer to put something in and captures when they reserve. Someone could just put in fake dates and fill up our calender, at least the CC, even without an authorization, would appear to be doing something.

Had we known this wasn't an option Hostfully allows, we wouldn't have signed up. This feature is extremely important and needs to be available.

Prospect comment

For comparison, here's how it works in Lodgify which is very similar to how hotels work (which is why guest seem to be totally ok with it as it feels familiar):
1 day prior to arrival Lodgify automatically initiates a Stripe authorization for the damage deposit amount
I get a reminder email from Lodgify 1 day prior to it expiring at 7 days
If I need to extend because the booking is longer, I manually initiate another 7 day auth in Lodgify
If I need to make a claim against the hold, I can do that in a few clicks, where it captures that portion of the deposit as an actual charge (also in Lodgify)

I'd like to be able to authorize a guest's card for (example) $500, but only capture the funds if there are damages. Otherwise, the credit card releases the hold.

This is very valuable. The idea of getting the deposits and then having to refund them is not good for guests, PM'r or accounting.

Just authorize it on the day before check-in and we can use it if needed. Super clean and ready if we need it.

Hi Sergio, thanks for your idea. We've received it and will take this into consideration for future developments.

Changing the Pre-Authorization Charge to Start at Time of Check In and Not When They Book