Approve Bookings First: Request to Reserve
Turn on Approve bookings first so guests request dates before they pay. After you accept, they have 24 hours to Reserve. Until then, dates look unavailable to others.
What this setting does
When the switch is on, guests cannot pay immediately. They send a request. You accept or decline. Payment happens only after they tap Reserve in the 24-hour window.
Turn it on in Basic Info
Open Settings → Basic Info and use the Approve bookings first toggle. Turn it off anytime to return to instant Reserve on your homepage. The switch may stay on until Stripe payouts are enabled.
The 24-hour window after you accept
If you accept, the guest must complete Reserve and pay within 24 hours. If they miss it, the request expires and others can request those dates again.
Dates look held — payment stays the same
Other visitors see the nights as unavailable during a pending or accepted request. The guest who requested can still finish Reserve after you accept.
What guests see
Guest-facing rules are also summarized in the booking policy.
- They send a request instead of paying at once
- If you accept, they get an email and can open your listing again to tap Reserve and pay
- If you decline, they get an email and can pick other dates
- Other guests see the requested nights as unavailable during the hold
Emails and where you respond
When someone requests your listing, you receive an email with their name, check-in, check-out, and guest counts, plus a link into admin. Guests receive an email when you accept or decline.
Respond in admin under Reservations & Availability — the same tab where you manage bookings and calendar availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is a request a confirmed booking?
No. A request only asks for your approval. Payment and confirmation happen when the guest completes Reserve after you accept.
What happens if the guest misses the 24 hours after acceptance?
The accepted request expires. The visual hold for other guests ends, and anyone can request those dates again if Approve bookings first is still enabled.
Can the guest who requested still see the dates?
Yes. Pending and accepted requests keep those dates available to that guest so they can finish Reserve after you accept. Other visitors see them as unavailable during the hold.
Does this replace instant booking forever?
Only while the switch is on. Turn it off anytime in Basic Info to return to direct Reserve on your homepage.