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FAQs & Troubleshooting for Direct Bookings

Find quick answers to common questions and issues when using Direct bookings in Hospitable

Written by Dawn Ginie Santoyo

This article provides quick answers to common questions about Direct bookings. Use it to troubleshoot issues or find the right article for more detailed guidance.

This article applies only to Direct bookings made through Hospitable.

For bookings made through Airbnb, Booking.com, or Vrbo, refer to the Help Center articles for those platforms.


Getting Started with Direct

What’s the difference between Direct Basic and Direct Premium?

Direct Premium includes built-in payment processing, identity verification, and additional protections. Direct Basic requires connecting your own payment processor.

Also see: All About Direct Bookings


How do I check which Direct plan I’m on?

Your plan depends on your property location and setup.

Also see: All About Direct Bookings


What does “Merchant of Record” mean?

For Direct Premium, Hospitable may act as the Merchant of Record, meaning payments are processed and handled on your behalf.

Also see: Merchant of Record for Direct Bookings


How long does it take to set up Direct?

Most setups can be completed in one session, but it depends on completing all required steps like payouts, pricing, and site setup.

Also see: Direct Setup Checklist


Payments, Payouts, and Taxes

When will I receive my payout?

Payout timing depends on your Direct plan and payment setup.

Also see: Manage Payouts and Bank Accounts for Direct Bookings


Why is my payout method not verified?

Verification may fail if required information is missing or doesn’t match your bank details.

Also see: Verify Your Bank Account for Payouts


How are taxes handled?

Tax handling depends on your plan and region. Some taxes may be calculated and remitted automatically.

Also see: How Taxes Are Collected and Remitted for Direct Bookings


Do you support payment processing in all regions?

Payment support depends on your Direct plan and Stripe availability in your country.


Bookings and Guest Management

Can I change a guest’s email address?

Guest email addresses cannot always be edited after a booking is created.

Also see: Managing Direct Reservations


Can I block dates only on Direct?

Yes, availability can be controlled per channel depending on your setup.

Also see: Managing Availability for Direct Bookings


Can I disable Instant Book?

Yes, you can switch to request-to-book depending on your configuration.

Also see: Instant Book for Direct


Pricing and Availability

Why is my price different on my Direct site?

Price differences can be caused by taxes, fees, discounts, or currency settings.

Also see: Understanding the Total Price of Your Direct Booking


How does Direct Premium pricing compare to OTAs?

Direct bookings may differ from OTA pricing due to fees, commissions, and how taxes are applied.

Also see: Direct Premium vs OTAs: Pricing Differences Explained


Reviews and Guest Experience

Can guests leave reviews for Direct bookings?

Yes, guests can leave reviews after their stay through the Guest Portal.

Also see: Understanding Reviews on Your Direct Site


Can I show Airbnb or Booking.com reviews on my site?

Yes, reviews from connected channels may be displayed automatically.

Also see: Understanding Reviews on Your Direct Site


Troubleshooting Common Issues

My guest didn’t receive a confirmation email

Check:

  • The guest’s email address is correct

  • The email was not filtered as spam

  • Your messaging rules are active

Also see: Understanding Direct Booking Emails


What happens if a guest’s payment fails?

The booking may remain incomplete or require follow-up.

Also see: Direct Booking Payment Failures


How do I issue a refund?

Refunds can be issued based on your payment terms and booking details.

Also see: Direct Booking Refunds


Why isn’t my Direct site working?

This may be due to incomplete setup, unpublished site, or missing requirements.

Also see: Direct Setup Checklist


Key Things to Know

  • This article provides quick answers and links to detailed guides

  • Some features depend on your Direct plan and region

  • Most issues are related to setup, payments, or configuration

  • For step-by-step instructions, follow the linked articles above

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