Using door codes from your PMS in ChargeAutomation (CA) typically works in one of two ways, depending on whether your PMS already generates the code or if you want CA to generate it for you via a smart lock integration.
1. Fetching Existing Codes from your PMS
If your PMS (e.g., Guestypay, Hostaway, Beds24) already generates a door code for a reservation, ChargeAutomation can automatically fetch this "Booking Access Code" and display it to the guest in their Guest Portal.
How it works: CA syncs with your PMS and pulls the value stored in the "Access Code" or "Door Code" field of the reservation.
Visibility: You can control when this code becomes visible to the guest (e.g., only after they complete pre-check-in and at the actual check-in time).
2. Generating Codes via Smart Lock Integration
If your PMS does not generate codes, you can connect ChargeAutomation directly to your smart lock provider (like RemoteLock).
Setup Flow:
Go to Settings > Integrations > Smartlocks.
Select your provider (e.g., RemoteLock).
Connect your properties and map individual rentals to their specific Lock Serial Numbers.
Choose your PIN Strategy (e.g., last 4 digits of the guest's phone number).
Automation: CA will then generate a unique code for each booking, handle arrival/departure grace periods, and even regenerate the code if the guest changes their check-in/out dates.
3. Controlling Guest Visibility
To ensure security, you should configure when the guest can actually see the code:
Mandatory Conditions: Usually set to "Completed Online Check-in" and "Reservation Fully Paid."
Timing: You can set the code to appear exactly at check-in time, or a specific number of hours/days before.
Upsell Integration: If a guest purchases an "Early Check-in" upsell, CA will automatically trigger the access code to become visible at the new, earlier time.
4. Manual Entry
If you have a manual lockbox or a static code, you can also enter the code directly into the Booking Details page in ChargeAutomation. This code will then be pulled into the guest's portal using the {{rental_access_code}} dynamic variable.
