Guest expectations around payments have changed. Travelers want speed, security, and familiar options—especially on mobile. For hoteliers, that means the payment experience is no longer a “back office” topic: it directly impacts conversion, guest satisfaction, operational workload, and revenue from add-ons. That’s where hotel payment tools come in.
In this guide, you’ll learn what a hotel payment tool is, the core benefits for hotels, and how Chekin helps you manage guest payments in a smooth, guest-friendly way.
What is a hotel payment tool?
A hotel payment tool is a system that lets you collect, manage, and automate payments across the guest journey—before arrival, at check-in, during the stay, and even after check-out when extra charges apply.
Unlike basic card terminals or disconnected payment links, modern payment tools aim to:
- Centralize payments in one place
- Offer flexible methods (cards, wallets, mobile pay)
- Automate what used to be manual (requests, reminders, receipts, reconciliation)
- Reduce risk (secure processing, fewer payment failures)
Key components of a payment tool in hotels
A robust payment setup usually includes:
- Online payment collection (pre-arrival or during online check-in)
- Digital wallets (like Apple Pay and Google Pay) for one-tap checkout
- Payment links for remote collection and post-stay extras
- Deposits or pre-authorizations to reduce no-shows and cover damages
- Upsell payments (early check-in, late check-out, parking, pet fees, experiences)
- Tourist tax collection when applicable
Hotel payment tools: why hotels should have them
Payment friction creates hidden costs: abandoned payments, delayed cashflow, manual chasing, and unhappy guests. A modern tool helps you standardize and scale payment operations—especially if you manage multiple properties or a busy front desk.
Benefits of hotel payment tools for hoteliers
1) Better guest experience (especially on mobile)
Guests don’t want to type long card numbers on a phone or repeat steps after a long trip. Payment tools that support fast checkout and recognized methods reduce stress and improve perception of your brand.
2) Higher conversion and fewer failed payments
Every extra click increases drop-off. Enabling quick, secure payment options (including digital wallets) can reduce abandonment—particularly for add-ons and pre-arrival requests.
3) More revenue from upsells
Upsells work best when they’re easy to accept and pay instantly. With the right flow, guests can confirm and pay for extras during online check-in, boosting ancillary revenue without extra staff time.
4) Less operational workload for your team
Without automation, staff spend hours sending payment requests, reconciling transfers, following up on unpaid extras, and handling exceptions. Payment tools centralize the process and reduce repetitive tasks.
5) Lower risk: secure payments, fewer disputes
Secure processing and modern authentication methods help reduce fraud exposure and chargeback headaches—while also supporting the compliance standards hotels need.
How Chekin helps hotels with hotel payment tools
Chekin brings guest online payments into the same journey you already manage: online check-in, guest communication, upsells, deposits, and taxes—so payments don’t live in scattered emails, spreadsheets, or disconnected links.
One platform to manage guest payments
From the Chekin dashboard, hotels can set up and manage different payment types depending on the stay and operational needs:
- Booking/stay payments collected via online check-in or payment link
- Upsells and experiences paid during check-in or through links
- Extra charges requested during or after the stay with payment links
- Damage protection and deposits, including card holds and automated release
- Tourist tax calculation and collection during online check-in (where applicable)
Apple Pay & Google Pay inside the guest journey
Chekin supports Apple Pay and Google Pay to make paying faster and more familiar for travelers. One-tap payments reduce friction, especially for:
- mobile-first guests
- international travelers
- upsell-heavy stays (extras, add-ons, experiences)
Payment links that reduce follow-ups
Not every payment happens at the front desk. With Chekin, payment links make it simple to:
- collect remaining balances pre-arrival
- request post-stay extras
- avoid awkward payment calls or back-and-forth emails
Deposits and peace of mind—without manual chaos
Hotels often rely on deposits to protect against damages or policy breaches. Chekin supports deposit collection and management flows designed to be clear to guests and easier for teams—so you can protect your operations without adding complexity.
Best practices to get the most from hotel payment tools
Align payment timing with the guest journey
- Pre-arrival: confirm details and collect what’s needed
- Check-in: collect taxes, deposits, and upsells
- During stay: add experiences or services
- Post-stay: handle verified extra charges with a link
Offer at least one “frictionless” method
Digital wallets can significantly improve mobile completion rates and reduce input errors.
Make payment rules consistent across properties
Standardize deposit policies, upsell pricing, and payment timing to reduce staff confusion and guest disputes.
Conclusion
Hotel payment tools are no longer optional if you want to deliver a modern guest experience and keep operations scalable. They help hotels reduce payment friction, increase upsell revenue, and cut manual workload—while giving guests the fast, secure options they expect.
Chekin helps hoteliers manage payments across the entire guest journey—from online check-in to upsells, deposits, tourist taxes, and post-stay charges—so payments become a seamless part of your operations, not a daily headache.
Discover how Chekin can help you automate check-in, stay compliant, protect your property, and boost revenue—saving 87% of your time and earning more from every booking.
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