Automated Payments : Highlight of the Month

Smarter Cash Flow. Fewer Manual Tasks. Total Control.

One of the most requested features from properties is now live: Automated Payments.

Designed to reduce front desk workload, improve cash flow consistency, and eliminate missed charges, OpenHotel’s Automated Payment Rules give properties full control over when and how payments are collected — without manual intervention.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all setting. It’s a flexible payment automation engine built specifically for the realities of hotel operations.

Built for Real-World Flexibility

Hotels operate differently depending on season, market, and booking source. That’s why Automated Payments allow you to configure payment rules based on:

• Charge, Pre-Authorization, or Deposit
• Number of nights
• Fixed dollar amount
• Percentage of stay
• Timing triggers such as:
  • At time of booking
  • Before check-in (e.g., 2 days prior)
  • At check-in
  • At check-out
  • On cancellation
  • On no-show

You control the structure. The system handles the execution.

Payment Rules by Booking Source

Not all reservations should be treated the same — and now they don’t have to be.

Automated Payment Rules can be configured independently for:

• Manual reservations entered by front desk staff
• Booking Engine reservations
• Channel Manager reservations
• Individual OTA channels (each with its own rule set)

This allows properties to create tailored strategies for direct bookings, third-party channels, or negotiated accounts — without compromising consistency.

Multiple Rules. Default & Special Event Control.

Properties can create multiple automation rules, including:

• Default rules for standard operations
• Custom rules for high-demand periods
• Special event policies
• Seasonal variations

Instead of rewriting policies each time demand shifts, simply activate the rule that fits your needs.

Full Visibility & Oversight

Automation doesn’t mean losing control.

OpenHotel provides:

• A real-time Automation Queue showing upcoming scheduled charges
• An Activity Log tracking all automated payment activity
• Status visibility including queued, processed, and attempts

This ensures finance teams and managers maintain full oversight while reducing manual intervention.

Why This Matters

Missed advance deposits. Inconsistent no-show charges. Manual follow-ups. Front desk confusion.

Automated Payments eliminate these friction points while improving:

• Cash flow predictability
• Policy enforcement
• Operational efficiency
• Accountability
• Staff consistency

It’s not just about collecting payments — it’s about creating structure around your revenue process.