Direct booking deposits allow you to secure advance payments from guests at the time of booking. This helps to reduce cancellations, improve cash flow and protect against no-shows.
Align your deposits with the cancellation penalty for each direct booking rate. Offer both flexible and non-refundable rates to help capture more bookings and maximise your revenue.
When enabled, your booking engine clearly displays deposit requirements to guests.
Set up a deposit for a direct booking rate
To set up a reservation deposit for each direct booking rate, follow these steps:
Navigate to Direct booking > Direct booking rates
Select the rate and click Edit
Find the Additional direct booking controls and enable the Deposit toggle
Choose your deposit type:
Full amount
First night
Fixed amount (specify value)
Percentage (specify percentage)
Set the Reservation policy settings
Click Save
Important notes:
Match your channels: Keep deposit policies consistent between your direct bookings and OTA listings
Payment methods: Configure accepted payment methods in Setup > Accepted payments
Fixed amounts: Ensure fixed deposits never exceed your minimum rate value
How guests see deposits
Your booking engine displays deposit requirements clearly:
Book now, pay later: Appears when no deposit is required (most flexible option)
Pay today: Appears for full amount deposits
One-night deposit required: Appears for first night deposits
Fixed/percentage amounts: Displays the specific amount due
Deposit information appears in both the booking summary and confirmation emails.
Processing payments
With integrated payment gateway
If you are using Little Hotelier Pay or an integrated third-party payment gateway:
Card validation and deposit is processed automatically
Note: When using Little Hotelier Pay, you need to select either Automated payments or Deposits. These options cannot be used simultaneously.
Without integrated gateway
Collect payment details during booking
Process the deposit manually after receiving the reservation
Still configure deposit settings to set guest expectations