Managing security deposits can raise questions: when is authorization requested, how do you charge for partial damages, why don't the Release or Charge buttons appear, or what to do if the system shows an error. In this guide, you'll find the most common answers so you know exactly what to do in each situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Avantio Payments request authorization for the deposit?
Does Avantio Payments request authorization for the deposit?
Yes, but only if the payment method is "Charge". The deposit is not added to the total amount of the booking, so it is not considered a split payment.
How are damages handled with each deposit payment method?
How are damages handled with each deposit payment method?
Payment method: Charge
Use case: charging €150 for damage caused by the guest.
Note: the deposit is €400 with the Charge payment method.
Answer: you can charge the full deposit or just part of it.
Payment method: Card hold
Use case: charging €200 for damage caused by the guest.
Note: the deposit is €500 with the Card hold payment method.
Reminder: a held deposit can only be:
Charged in full (partial charges are not possible).
Released.
How do I charge only part of a held deposit?
How do I charge only part of a held deposit?
First, release the pre-authorization for the deposit (the full €500).
Then add a €200 payment in the Payment breakdown and proceed to charge it.
Why don't the "Release" or "Charge" buttons appear?
Why don't the "Release" or "Charge" buttons appear?
A common reason is that the deposit extra has two refund methods configured. This creates ambiguity in the system, which doesn't know how to return the deposit.
Solution
In the deposit extra configuration, remove the "To be paid by bank transfer" method.
In the booking, under Deposit, select "Refund/Release to card".
After these steps, the buttons should appear correctly.
Can I request the card for deposits in Airbnb bookings?
Can I request the card for deposits in Airbnb bookings?
Yes. The Property Manager can request the card from the "Payment breakdown".
Is the deposit status updated in VRMS if the gateway releases it before the configured time?
Is the deposit status updated in VRMS if the gateway releases it before the configured time?
Not automatically. The Property Manager must update it manually or make sure the initial deposit configuration matches the pre-authorization period allowed by your gateway.
Why is a deposit created manually if I have automation enabled?
Why is a deposit created manually if I have automation enabled?
The deposit is only created automatically if the booking contains the guest's actual card.
For bookings from portals where the first payment is handled by the portal, the card is not available, so the deposit payment line is created with:
Payment method: "Hold" or "Charge" (depending on configuration).
Type: manual.
Why does the system show an error when I try to release a held deposit?
Why does the system show an error when I try to release a held deposit?
This usually happens because the amount was already released automatically when the pre-authorization expired. To confirm, log in to your payment platform, find the transaction, and check its status. If you still have questions or can't verify it, contact us and we'll help you review it.