How to Automate Smoobu Payments with ChargeAutomation
Smoobu payments run more smoothly once you add ChargeAutomation on top of the channel manager and rental tools Smoobu already gives you. Smoobu's real-time channel manager syncs booking calendars across Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia. It also puts a booking engine, guest messages and dynamic pricing in one dashboard.
This article looks at what Smoobu covers on its own and how the ChargeAutomation link works. It also shows what gets automated once the two are connected.
Key Takeaways
Smoobu's channel manager syncs open dates across Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia in real time. This prevents double bookings.
ChargeAutomation connects to Smoobu to automate payment collection, security deposits and guest ID checks for every booking.
Once the link is live, guests can finish ID checks, a digital signature and payment through one link.
Setup is usually self-serve and takes a few minutes. No contract is needed.
Properties using ChargeAutomation with Smoobu can often save up to 30 minutes per booking on payment and ID check tasks.
What Smoobu Covers for Vacation Rental Hosts
Smoobu’s channel manager syncs your open dates across major booking sites right away. This removes the risk of double bookings that comes from updating each channel by hand.
You can bulk-edit prices, minimum stays, check-in and check-out times, and cleaning fees across many properties at once. The shared inbox also pulls in messages from every connected channel.
Smoobu also offers a booking engine and a website builder for hosts who want direct bookings next to their OTA listings. But that toolset does not focus on payments beyond basic booking charges, security deposits or formal guest ID checks.
That is where ChargeAutomation usually adds:
Guest ID verification and biometric checks
Digital signature collection
Security deposit pre-authorization with automatic release
Scheduled payment charges
Automatic upsell offers for room upgrades and add-ons
How ChargeAutomation Connects to Smoobu
ChargeAutomation syncs with Smoobu, so every new booking picks up the payment and ID check rules you set for that property. This works no matter which channel the booking came from.
Guests get one link that can cover ID checks, a digital signature and payment together. They do not need separate steps handled by hand. The link is self-serve, free to start and needs no contract.
Connecting the two usually takes these steps:
Connect the Smoobu account inside ChargeAutomation
Set payment and deposit rules by property
Turn on ID verification and e-signature at check-in
Turn on upsell automation
Confirm gateway and currency settings
Test with a sample booking
What Gets Automated Once Smoobu Is Connected
Once live, ChargeAutomation applies the same rules to every Smoobu booking. You do not have to repeat the setup each time a new booking comes in.
This helps hosts who already use Smoobu’s bulk-editing tools but still handle payments or deposits one property at a time.
Here is what usually becomes automatic:
Less manual payment follow-up as you add more properties
The same guest ID checks across every synced channel
Faster deposit release after checkout
More upsell revenue without extra staff time
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smoobu integrate with ChargeAutomation?
Yes. ChargeAutomation connects to Smoobu, so bookings sync on their own. Your payment, ID check and upsell rules then apply to each booking.
What does ChargeAutomation add on top of Smoobu?
ChargeAutomation adds automatic payment collection and security deposit pre-authorization. It also adds guest ID checks and upsell offers for bookings synced from Smoobu.
Is there a cost to connect ChargeAutomation to Smoobu?
ChargeAutomation is free to start and needs no contract. Pricing grows with your booking volume.
Can ChargeAutomation collect security deposits on Smoobu bookings?
Yes. ChargeAutomation can pre-authorize security deposits on Smoobu bookings. It then releases them on its own after checkout.
How long does the Smoobu and ChargeAutomation setup take?
Most hosts finish the setup in a few minutes. After that, it runs on its own for future bookings. Start for free at chargeautomation.com
