---
title: "How to request a deposit on bookings with Host Domination Booking Engine"
url: https://hostdomination.com/en/how-to-request-a-deposit-on-bookings-with-host-domination-booking-engine/
date: 2026-10-29
modified: 2026-10-29
lang: en
author: "Marco Livio"
description: "Do you want to allow your guests to book a room, apartment or holiday home by paying only a deposit, instead of the full amount of the stay? With Host..."
categories:
  - "Host Domination Booking Engine Guides"
tags:
  - "Deposit Payments Add-on"
image: https://hostdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/come-richiedere-un-acconto-sulle-prenotazioni-con-host-domination-booking-engine-1-1024x576.webp
word_count: 2552
---

# How to request a deposit on bookings with Host Domination Booking Engine

Do you want to allow your guests to **book a room, apartment or holiday home by paying only a deposit**, instead of the full amount of the stay?

With **Host Domination Booking Engine PRO** and the add-on **Deposit Payments**, you can manage partial payments directly from your WordPress site, setting how much to charge at the time of booking, when to collect the balance, and which payment method to use.

You can also set up different percentages for each room, schedule your balance to be automatically debited through Stripe, and send personalized email reminders to your guests.

In this guide, we'll look at how to set up all of these features, step by step.

## 1. What is Host Domination Deposit Payments?

**Deposit Payments** is an extension of Host Domination Booking Engine PRO that allows you to request a partial initial payment, leaving the remaining amount to be paid later.

It is particularly useful for:

- Hotels and accommodation facilities.

- Bed & Breakfast and guest house.

- Holiday homes and tourist apartments.

- Villas and structures with long-term stays.

- Property managers who manage multiple accommodations.

The main advantage is flexibility: the guest can confirm a reservation without paying for the entire stay immediately, while the owner retains control over the payment conditions.

The extension allows you to customize each calendar separately, so you can apply different rules to different rooms and properties.

## 2. Install and activate Deposit Payments

Before you begin, make sure you have:

- WordPress with Host Domination Booking Engine installed.

- Host Domination Booking Engine PRO active.

- Stripe properly configured for online payments.

- The Deposit Payments add-on installed and activated, with a valid license.

You can get the extension from the official page:

[Host Domination Deposit Payments – Discover the add-on](https://hostdomination.com/booking-engine-addons/deposit-payments/)

Once you've installed and activated Deposit Payments, you won't need to access an external panel – all settings will be integrated directly into your Booking Engine.

### Where can I find the deposit settings?

From your WordPress admin panel:

- Open **Host Domination Booking Engine** from the side menu.

- Access the section **Payments & Deposit**.

- Locate the block **Deposit payments**.

- Turn on the option **Enable the option to pay a deposit**.

Once enabled, the settings dedicated to partial payments will appear for each available calendar.

![](https://hostdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/payments-deposit-booking-engine-wordpress-2-1024x1000.png)

## 3. Configure the deposit percentage for each accommodation

One of the most important features of Deposit Payments is the ability to configure different down payment percentages for each calendar.

In the **Payment schedule by calendar** You'll find all the calendars associated with your rooms or properties.

For each calendar you can activate the option **Enable for this calendar**, which allows you to enable or disable payment by deposit only for that specific accommodation.

### Set the required percentage

In the field **Require** Enter the percentage of the accommodation price that the customer will have to pay at the time of booking.

For example:

- Room 1: 20% deposit.

- Room 2: 30% deposit.

- Apartment 3: 50% deposit.

These settings are independent: each property can have its own payment terms.

If a calendar isn't enabled, it will continue to use the normal payment process under Booking Engine.

### How is the down payment calculated?

Deposit Payments calculates percentage **exclusively on the price of accommodation**, excluding tourist taxes, Service Extras and other additional costs from the calculation basis.

Here's a practical example:

| Voice | Amount |
| ----- | ------ |
| Accommodation price | 500 € |
| Cleaning service | 50 € |
| Additional service | 30 € |
| **Total booking** | **580 €** |
| **30% deposit on accommodation** | **150 €** |
| **Remaining balance** | **430 €** |

The customer will then pay €150 to confirm the booking and will then pay the remaining €430, including the accommodation fee still due and additional services.

This way you can keep the deposits proportionate to the cost of the stay, without including local services or taxes in advance in the calculation of the deposit.

## 4. Determine when the guest must pay the balance

Next to the percentage of the deposit you will find the field **Remaining balance deadline**.

This setting allows you to determine how many days before check-in the remaining amount must be paid.

For example, if you set:

- **30 days:** The balance must be paid 30 days before arrival.

- **7 days:** The balance must be paid one week before arrival.

- **0 days:** The balance will be due on the day of check-in.

This deadline can also be individually customized for each calendar.

**Example:** A customer books from November 25th to 28th and the property requires the balance 7 days before arrival. The payment deadline will be November 18th.

This allows you to plan the collection of payments and to adopt different conditions based on the type of structure.

## 5. Choose how you want to receive your remaining balance

Deposit Payments is not limited to simply requesting a deposit.

You can also choose **How the customer will have to pay the remaining balance**, thanks to the **Remaining balance payment**.

The menu offers three modes.

### Option 1: Automatic charge to the same card

This mode is designed to automate the collection of the balance.

The customer initially pays the deposit through Stripe and authorizes the next debit of the balance from the same payment method, when supported.

During checkout, a special authorization is displayed, through which the guest can consent to the future payment of the remaining amount.

When the deadline is configured, the system can automatically attempt to debit the amount still due.

**Practical example:**

A customer books a stay worth 600 € with a 30% deposit and expected balance 7 days before check-in.

- Pay €180 when booking.

- 420 € remain to be paid.

- When it expires, the system attempts to automatically charge €420 to the authorized method.

This mode is useful for facilities that want to limit manual collection operations.

**Important:** automatic debit requires a compatible payment method, properly saved and authorized through Stripe. Not all methods available at checkout support future debits and the outcome of the payment also depends on the customer's bank. It is therefore advisable to always check the actual collection.

### Option 2: Manual online payment

With this method, the guest pays the deposit at the time of booking and can then complete the payment of the balance via a secure link.

In this case, the balance is not automatically debited.

The customer can make the payment online within the deadline, using the dedicated payment link.

This solution is particularly suitable for facilities that want to leave the customer the possibility to choose when to complete the payment.

In addition, you can configure email reminders to remind it of the deadline.

### Option 3: Cash on arrival

This option allows you to accept the deposit online and collect the balance directly at the property.

The customer confirms the reservation through the initial payment with Stripe and completes the payment according to the conditions established by the host, upon arrival.

It is a useful solution for B&B, landlords and small accommodation facilities that prefer to manage the collection of the balance themselves.

Remember to check the current regulations regarding cash payment limits.

![Payment deposit addons booking engine (1)](https://hostdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/payment-deposit-addons-booking-engine-1-1.webp)

## 6. Enable automated balance reminder emails

One of the most useful customizations of Deposit Payments is the ability to configure **Automated reminder emails** to remind guests to complete the payment of the balance.

This feature helps reduce the risk of a customer forgetting a deadline.

When the option is available for the chosen configuration, in the calendar panel you will find the entry:

**Send a reminder to the guest about the remaining balance before check-in**

By activating the relevant box, the panel dedicated to customizing the reminder opens.

### Choose when to send the email

In the field **Reminder timing** You can specify how many days before the balance expires to send the message.

For example, if the balance is due 7 days before check-in and you set the reminder to 3 days before the deadline, the email will be scheduled 10 days before arrival.

If you enter **0**, the reminder will be scheduled for the same day as the deadline.

This distinction is important: the value entered in the memo refers to the **Balance due date**, not directly on the check-in date.

### Customize the subject line of the email

The field **Email subject** Allows you to change the subject of the message that the customer will receive.

For example:

*Balance Payment Reminder – {property_name}*

The property name is dynamically inserted using its placeholder.

### Customize the text of your message

In the field **Email message** You will find a visual editor that allows you to write and format the content of the email.

You can use bold, italics, lists, and links to make the reminder clearer and more professional.

The editor also supports dynamic variables that are replaced with the actual booking information.

### Placeholders available in emails

| Variable | Information shown |
| -------- | ----------------- |
| `{guest_name}` | Guest Name |
| `{property_name}` | Name of the structure |
| `{checkin_date}` | Check-in date |
| `{checkout_date}` | Check-out date |
| `{booking_total}` | Total amount of the reservation |
| `{deposit_paid}` | Deposit already paid |
| `{remaining_balance}` | Balance still to be paid |
| `{balance_due_date}` | Balance due date |

### Example of a personalized email

**Subject:** Balance Payment Reminder – {property_name}

Dear {guest_name},

Please note that the remaining balance of **{remaining_balance}** related to your reservation at **{property_name}** must be carried out by **{balance_due_date}**.

**Summary of the stay:**

Check-in: {checkin_date}

Check-out: {checkout_date}

Total booking: {booking_total}

Deposit already paid: {deposit_paid}

Remaining balance: {remaining_balance}

We invite you to complete the payment by the deadline, following the payment instructions received.

If you have already paid your balance, you can ignore this reminder.

Thank you for choosing {property_name}!

---

You can freely modify this text, using a more formal or friendlier communication style, depending on your accommodation.

Reminders can be enabled or disabled independently for each calendar.

![Payment deposit addons booking engine (2)](https://hostdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/payment-deposit-addons-booking-engine-2-1.webp)

## 7. How does the deposit payment work via Stripe?

After you set up Deposit Payments, the system applies rules to bookings that meet the conditions you set.

When a guest selects a room and proceeds with the reservation, the Booking Engine determines the amount of the deposit based on the percentage provided for that calendar.

If the reservation is eligible for partial payment, the guest is directed to the secure page of **Stripe Checkout**, in which you will see the amount to be paid immediately.

The payment summary contains useful information, such as:

- The structure or room booked.

- The dates of your stay.

- The amount of the down payment.

- The percentage required.

- The remaining balance.

- The due date for payment of the balance.

If you have set up the automatic debit method, checkout may also require the guest's authorization to pay the balance in the future, depending on the payment method used.

After successful payment of the deposit, the amount information is associated with the booking and reflected in the confirmation communications.

![Deposit payments addon extension booking engine stripe](https://hostdomination.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/deposit-payments-addon-extension-booking-engine-stripe-1-1024x699.webp)

## 8. What happens with last minute bookings?

Deposit Payments also includes protection for bookings made when your balance is already due.

Imagine that you have configured these conditions:

- 50% initial down payment.

- Balance required 7 days before check-in.

If a customer only books 3 days before their arrival, it would not make sense to allow them to pay a deposit with an overdue balance.

For this reason, the system automatically checks the dates.

**When the balance deadline has already passed, Stripe requires you to pay the full amount of the reservation.**

This protection helps you to properly manage last-minute bookings and avoid partial payments with deadlines that are no longer valid.

## 9. How to manage deposits and booking balances

Once the deposit has been received, it is important to distinguish three values:

**Total booking:** the total amount of the stay, including any services and additional costs.

**Deposit paid:** the amount actually paid by the guest during the booking.

**Remaining balance:** the difference between the total of the reservation and what has already been paid.

In the booking summary, you can view your payment information to see how much has been collected and how much remains to be collected.

With Booking Engine PRO, you also have Stripe link management for paying for bookings.

When a reservation isn't fully paid yet, you can use the payment features available in the reservation summary to manage the collection of outstanding amounts.

This is particularly useful, for example, when you need to complete a failed payment or manage a manually entered booking.

Before submitting a new payment request, always check the actual status of the transaction to avoid double charges.

## 10. Tips for setting up partial payments correctly

To get the most out of Deposit Payments, we recommend taking a few simple steps.

**Choose a percentage that is appropriate for the property.** A deposit of 20-30% can make early bookings more affordable, while a higher percentage may be preferable for particularly expensive stays.

**Set realistic deadlines.** If you want to receive the balance early enough, you can request it 7, 14 or 30 days before check-in.

**Use email reminders.** A message sent before the deadline can help prevent late payments.

**Check your Stripe settings.** Before you turn on automatic charges, make sure that your payment method and authorizations are compatible with future collection.

**Make a test booking.** Check that the amount of the deposit, remaining balance, due date, and any communications match the desired conditions.

Finally, clearly communicate on your website the conditions for payment, cancellation and refund of deposits.

## 11. Frequently asked questions about booking deposits

### Can I request different percentages for different rooms?

Yes. Deposit Payments allows you to configure each calendar individually, setting different down payment percentages and balance deadlines.

### Can I claim 50% immediately and the rest before arrival?

Yes. Just set the deposit to 50% and choose the number of days before check-in by which the balance must be paid.

### Can I automatically charge my balance?

Yes, through the **Automatic charge to the same card**, using a Stripe-compatible payment method and with the customer's permission.

### Can I ask for the balance directly at the facility?

Yes. By selecting **Cash on arrival**, you can arrange for the balance to be paid on arrival, while the deposit is collected online.

### Does the customer receive a reminder before the deadline?

You can enable email reminders in your calendar configuration, setting when to send them, and customizing the subject and content.

### Can I edit the text of emails?

Yes. The built-in editor allows you to customize the message and use placeholders to automatically fill in the guest's name, amounts, dates, and reservation information.

### Does the deposit also include cleaning and tourist tax?

No. The percentage of down payment is calculated on the price of the accommodation. The other amounts are added to the remaining balance.

### What happens if the guest books a few days before arrival?

If the balance deadline has already passed, the system requires you to pay in full via Stripe instead of applying the deposit.

### Is Deposit Payments available in the free version of the Booking Engine?

No. The extension requires **Host Domination Booking Engine PRO** and the Stripe integration.

## Conclusion: Manage Down Payments and Balances Directly from Your WordPress Site

Requiring a deposit on reservations is a way to give guests more flexibility while maintaining control over your property's payments.

With **Host Domination Booking Engine PRO and Deposit Payments** you can set up specific rules for each room, set custom percentages, set balance deadlines, and choose between manual payment, cash on arrival, and automatic debit via Stripe.

With customizable email reminders and last-minute booking management, you can organize payments more professionally and reduce manual steps.

**Do you want to activate this feature on your site?**

[Learn Host Domination Deposit Payments](https://hostdomination.com/booking-engine-addons/deposit-payments/)

For more information or setup assistance, you can open a ticket at [Host Domination Support](https://hostdomination.com/en/support/).