If you collect a security/damage deposit, you can track the status of the credit card authorizations that are being performed for each booking.
Managing security deposits involves reserving an amount on the guest’s credit card to cover potential damages or contract breaches during their stay. This includes processing at the time of booking, holding funds during the reservation, and releasing or re-authorizing deposits post-stay.
When a booking is confirmed, the security deposit amount is typically authorized on the guest’s credit card. This amount is reserved but not charged, appearing as a pending transaction that reduces the available balance without accruing interest or fees.
See below for a list of possible Security/Damage Deposit Statuses:
DEPOSIT STATUS | STATUS DESCRIPTION |
Scheduled | Before Due Date & Card on File - Due date has not yet passed and we have credit card details for this guest on file. This payment will be charged automatically on the due date listed.
Before Due Date & No Card on File - Due date has not yet passed and we do not have credit card details on file. |
Authorized | After Due Date & Funded - Due date has passed and credit card has been successfully used to authorized the security deposit amount. |
Card Unavailable | After Due Date, Not Funded & No Card on File - The due date has passed and we have not collected the credit card details of the guest. |
Authorization Failed | After Due Date, Not Funded & Card on File - After due date has passed and while credit card has been provided, the authorization was not successfully processed.
Example: not enough fund on the card at the time of authorization |
Auto Released | Credit card authorization is scheduled to be placed on the card for a certain period of time. Once this time expires, the hold will automatically be released. |
Captured | When damages occur on the premises which warrant the full withholding of the security deposit. |
Partial Captured | When damages occur on the premises which warrant a partial withholding of the security deposit. |
Manually Released | Occasionally a guest may insist on having access to the funds on the credit card being held as part of the authorization process. In these instances and per property manager discretion, this may be completed manually. |
Overdue | After due date has passed and credit card has not been added. |
Voided | Security deposit can be manually cancelled or voided by Host OR when booking was cancelled before performing/attempting authorization. |
Not Enabled | Security deposit collection is not enabled. |
For answers to other questions about the Security/Damage Deposit feature in ChargeAutomation, visit our Security/Damage Deposit FAQ's article.
Upon the guest's stay completion, the authorized security deposit is managed as follows:
Automatically Released: If there are no reported damages, funds are released automatically 3 days after check-out. It may take 5-10 business days for the guest to see the funds available on their account.
Manually Released: In case you or any staff member release the authorization earlier than 3 days after check-out upon guest's request.
Charge Automation is a guest experience software that helps hotels & vacation rentals increase revenue, eliminate check-in queues, improve guest satisfaction, and maximize profits.