ChargeAutomation collects security deposits for hotels and vacation rentals automatically. The deposit is held on the guest's card, not charged, and released after checkout. Or guests pick a small damage waiver instead.
ChargeAutomation is security deposit software for hotels and vacation rentals. It places a pre-authorization hold on the guest's card before arrival, releases it after checkout, and lets guests choose a damage waiver instead, with no one on your team chasing it.
Charging a deposit and refunding it later costs you card fees, even when nothing was wrong. A pre-authorization hold only reserves the money, so you pay nothing to hold it.
“We no longer spent time physically collecting documents or contacting guest for payments. CA is doing that for us without lifting a finger.”
Ramiro FerrandoUnion Square Hotel“We've been using contactless check-in for quite some time already and are really satisfied with how they combined id check, payment collection, terms & conditions and upsells into a single flow. It was easy to implement and guests love the experience.”
JohnCozySuites“We use CA for about 2 years for our 50+ properties and are very happy so far.”
Igor OxProperty manager · Latvia“Automating the check in and payment process was the best thing that happened to my rental business! … all on a single link!”
MajaVacation rental host · Japan“It has helped us generate additional revenue while keeping everything streamlined and easy to manage.”
Aotearoa Airbnb ManagementShort-term rentals · New Zealand“Chargebacks are no longer an issue for me. … So, it was a 180-degree change for our operation.”
Commercial DirectorBoutique hotel, 50–74 rooms · Buenos Aires“They were responsive, communicated clearly, and even followed up on my issue on their own accord.”
Randle TaylorCanada“Other tools claimed they did it with Chargeback protection but the only one that truly did it was ChargeAutomation. … Since then my chargebacks went down to 0.”
Ore SupastaHost · Canada“I can confidently say that this solution has all I needed to make my business more profitable, from guidebooks to selling more of our add ons.”
KimVacation rental host · Norway“wonderful Cathy !”
Eric TrouvinFrance“Advanced product that solved many of our hotel's needs at once and increased our RevPar, % of direct bookings, and TrevPar.”
Director of SalesCity center hotel, 100–199 rooms · Kyiv“Very useful app! Amazing support!”
Wilhelm CazimiroviciRomania“With the money generated by upsells, the tool actually pays for itself.”
Krzysztof ZbudniewekHost“Contactless check-in from ChargeAutomation saves so much time for our administrators and we noticed how guest satisfaction improved. 100% recommendation.”
ErinLifeSuites“ChargeAutomation is easy to use and user friendly, you can surely use the system even if you are a beginner. and the support team are prompt at responding to queries and very informative.”
AndrewUpStay“It really helped me get quick access to the door code and pay my security deposit. … It was all right there in the guidebook.”
Sodiq FowosereGuest · Canada“As an owner of Popcorn Hostel in Bucharest, I can say this app is the best tool that I found on the internet.”
Popcorn HostelHostel · Bucharest“We use ChargeAutomation to collect security deposits, rental agreements, and some payments from guests when they book on various platforms. It's very nice to have a unified and automated system to handle this and allow guests to self service.”
RyanHost · United States“When I wanted to pay for the reservation it actually did something like an otp with my bank so it ensured it was me.”
Christianah FashGuest · Canada“ChargeAutomation is amazing! It can do so much and I often recommend ChargeAutomation to my clients.”
Kana G.Verified user“Supported by Dixie, really helpful help.”
Abobakr ElwakeelCustomer“This whole system is so great for us and our customers.”
Josh StockCustomer“Seamless, takes away a lot of the back and forth I had to deal with when processing credit cards and verifying ID. Highly recommended!”
AjCanada“I checked in, paid a security deposit, booked early check-in and received my access instructions - all via the same link.”
Kasia KugaudoGuest · Poland“The upsells have increased my add ons as the guest can pay via a card.”
DirectorCity center hotel, 50–74 rooms · San Jose“The platform itself is very powerful for automating guest communication, check-in processes, and operational workflows, which saves a huge amount of time once set up correctly.”
Peter MeszarosUnited KingdomSome guests don't want a big hold on their card. Let them pay a small, non-refundable damage waiver instead. It covers accidental damage up to the limit you set, and what you don't spend on repairs is yours.
Built for how vacation rentals and hotels really collect deposits. Swipe through what's included.
Protection is required at check-in, so no guest gets access until they're covered.
Guests are reminded until they add a valid card. Nobody on your team chases it.
Set the amount and timing per property, portfolio or booking source.
Capture all or part of the deposit, and the rest goes back to the guest.
Know every time a deposit is held, released or needs attention.
Connect 130+ payment gateways, or use STRPay for holds up to 31 days on Visa.
Learn more about STRPayEvery deposit gets the same fraud checks as a regular payment.
Learn more about chargeback protectionsecurity deposit holds
in fees to hold a deposit
payment gateways connected
PMS platforms synced
Security deposit software collects, holds and releases guest deposits automatically. ChargeAutomation is security deposit software for hotels and vacation rentals: it places a hold on the guest's card before arrival, releases it after checkout and lets guests choose a damage waiver instead.
The deposit is held on the guest's card, not charged. ChargeAutomation places the hold on your schedule, at booking, before check-in or on a set date, and releases it automatically after checkout. If there is damage, you capture all or part of it.
A pre-authorization hold, also called an authorization hold, reserves money on the guest's card without charging it. ChargeAutomation uses it for security deposits, so nothing is charged unless there is damage and you pay no card fees to hold it.
With ChargeAutomation, a security deposit hold can last up to 30 days, enough for most stays. With STRPay, holds last up to 31 days on Visa and 30 days on Mastercard, and ChargeAutomation can extend holds for longer stays.
A damage waiver is a small, non-refundable fee the guest pays at check-in instead of a deposit hold. It covers accidental damage up to the limit you set, and anything you don't spend on repairs is yours to keep.
A deposit hold protects you without earning revenue, while a damage waiver protects you and adds income. ChargeAutomation lets you offer both at check-in so guests choose, which means fewer guests drop off at the payment step.
Airbnb handles damage for Airbnb reservations through AirCover and its Resolution Center, and its Off-Platform Policy does not allow charging guests outside Airbnb. Use ChargeAutomation security deposits and damage waivers for direct bookings and channels that allow it.
Most hotels place a hold on the guest's card for incidentals at check-in. ChargeAutomation automates it: the hold is placed before arrival during online check-in and released after checkout, so the front desk never has to ask.
Open the booking in ChargeAutomation and capture the full deposit or only part of it. The rest is released back to the guest automatically.
ChargeAutomation keeps sending automatic reminders until the guest adds a valid card, and you are alerted if a hold fails. You can also require the deposit before the guest gets their door code.
ChargeAutomation tracks every deposit from hold to release in one place, for every property. You get real-time alerts by email, SMS or in-app each time a deposit is held, released or needs attention.
ChargeAutomation plans start at $4 a month, with a small platform fee per transaction based on your plan. Because a released hold is never charged, you avoid paying card fees on deposits you would otherwise charge and refund.
Turn on automatic security deposits and damage waivers in ChargeAutomation, for every property and booking source.
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