Hostaway manages your listings, calendars, and channel connections — but payment collection still requires manual steps that consume staff time. ChargeAutomation fills this gap by adding a full payment automation layer on top of your Hostaway data. Every reservation that enters Hostaway triggers the correct payment workflow automatically: scheduled charges, security deposit pre-authorization, VCC processing, and failed payment retries. The two platforms work together to eliminate the manual tasks that slow down property managers, including:
Complete Hostaway Payment Automation Setup with ChargeAutomation
Hostaway users managing short term rentals can streamline their entire payment workflow by connecting with ChargeAutomation. This integration combines Hostaway's powerful property management capabilities with ChargeAutomation's specialized short term rental payment automation tools. Together, these platforms eliminate manual payment tasks, reduce errors, and create a seamless experience for both operators and guests. Whether you manage a handful of Airbnb listings or a growing portfolio, this setup guide walks you through connecting both systems for maximum efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Hostaway and ChargeAutomation integration supports over 120 payment gateways for short term rental operators
- Security deposits use pre-authorization with a 30 day window, saving transaction fees for property managers
- Operators may save up to 30 minutes per booking through automated payment collection and guest communications.
- The combined solution achieves up to 93 percent online check-in rates with ID verification included
- ChargeAutomation connects with 50 plus PMS platforms including Hostaway for seamless property management
Why Connect Hostaway with ChargeAutomation for Payment Processing
- Pre-authorization setup for security deposits
- Scheduled payment rules by booking source
- Failed payment retry without staff intervention
- VCC processing for OTA reservations
- Cancellation policy enforcement
Setting Up Your Hostaway and ChargeAutomation Integration
Connecting ChargeAutomation to Hostaway takes approximately 5 minutes. Log into your ChargeAutomation dashboard, navigate to integrations, select Hostaway, and enter your API credentials. Properties and reservations sync automatically. From there, you configure payment schedules, deposit rules, and guest portal settings per property or booking source. All bookings from Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and direct channels flow through consistently. The main configuration steps after connecting the integration include:
- Connect via API credentials in ChargeAutomation dashboard
- Configure payment schedule rules per property
- Set security deposit pre-authorization rules
- Define cancellation policy charge triggers
- Enable guest portal and online check-in
- Set retry rules for failed payments
Automating Guest Payments and Security Deposits
Once connected, ChargeAutomation handles the full payment and deposit lifecycle for every Hostaway booking without manual intervention. Security deposits are pre-authorized rather than charged, saving transaction fees while maintaining a 30-day authorization window and automatic release after checkout. Operators can also collect payments from any booking source, including OTA virtual credit cards, and enforce cancellation policies automatically when guests modify or cancel. The payment and deposit automation features available through the integration include:
- Security deposit pre-authorization with 30-day window
- Automatic deposit release after checkout
- Partial and full charge scheduling
- OTA virtual credit card processing
- Cancellation policy charge enforcement
- PCI and PSD2 compliant processing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect Hostaway to ChargeAutomation?
Log into ChargeAutomation, go to integrations, select Hostaway, and enter your API credentials. Properties and reservations sync automatically within minutes. You can then configure payment schedules, security deposits, and guest communication preferences for all your listings.
What payment gateways work with Hostaway and ChargeAutomation?
ChargeAutomation supports over 120 payment gateways including Stripe, Adyen, Authorize.net, PayPal Business, Moneris, Shift4, and many more. You can connect your existing payment processor or choose a new one that fits your region and business needs.
Can I automate security deposits for Hostaway bookings?
Yes. ChargeAutomation pre-authorizes security deposits without charging guests, using a 30 day authorization window. Deposits release automatically after checkout if no damage occurs. This approach saves transaction fees compared to charging and refunding.
Does ChargeAutomation work with Airbnb bookings through Hostaway?
Absolutely. All bookings synced through Hostaway, including Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and direct reservations, flow into ChargeAutomation for consistent payment automation and guest experience management.
How much time does payment automation save per booking?
Operators using ChargeAutomation may save up to 30 minutes per booking on payment-related tasks. This includes automated payment collection, security deposit handling, guest verification, and check-in communications.
