Applies to:          Stayntouch PMS          

Restrict Check-In Based On Payment Method

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• WHY ENABLE THIS FEATURE?
• HOW TO ACTIVATE THE FEATURE
  • Step 1: Enable the Restrict Check-In Toggle
  • Step 2: Configure Allowed vs Restricted Payment Types
• RULES & SCENARIOS
  • Credit Card (CC) Payments
  • Non-Credit Card Payments
  • Direct Bill Accounts
• HIERARCHICAL CHECK-IN VALIDATION
• STAFF PERMISSIONS
• WHAT'S OUT OF SCOPE?

Ensure all guests have the correct payment on check-in and avoid lost revenue.

WHY ENABLE THIS FEATURE?

The Restrict Check-In Based on Payment Method functionality allows hotels to enforce stricter financial controls during the check-in process, ensuring every reservation has adequate payment validation before a guest receives room access. This delivers the following benefits:

• Prevent guests from checking in without a valid credit card authorization, full deposit, or a verified direct bill arrangement.
• Avoid manual errors by automating check-in eligibility rules.
• Grant override permissions only to authorized users, reducing misuse and protecting sensitive financial workflows.

HOW TO ACTIVATE THE FEATURE

Step 1: Enable the Restrict Check-In Toggle

Navigate to the Reservation Settings in your PMS and activate the Restrict Check-In Logic toggle.

• When OFF: Check-in restrictions are disabled. When ON: System will enforce the rules configured below.

Step 2: Configure Allowed vs Restricted Payment Types

Set up your payment methods under:

• Restricted Payment Types – Methods that will trigger check-in restrictions unless override permission is granted.
• Non-Restricted Payment Types – No check-in validation needed.

RULES & SCENARIOS

Credit Card (CC) Payments

• No Auth Required Rule ➜ Check-in blocked unless overridden.
• Full Stay Auth Rule:
  • Successful Auth (equal or above required) ➜ Allow check-in.
  • Partial/Failed Auth ➜ Block check-in (Override required).
• Deposit status does not override CC validation logic.

Non-Credit Card Payments

• If marked restricted, always require override for check-in regardless of deposit.

Direct Bill Accounts

• Use the “Override Check-In Restriction”checkbox in billing groups.
  • Only visible when the feature is ON.
  • Can only be changed by users with override permission.

HIERARCHICAL CHECK-IN VALIDATION

1. Check for Direct Bill override permission.
2. Reject Non-CC restricted methods without override.
3. Evaluate CC method rules and auth status.
4. Show warning messages for any invalid reservations:
   • “Reservation is not eligible for check-in.”
   • Option to override with permission.

STAFF PERMISSIONS

Ensure only designated team members can override restrictions using the:

Restrict Check-In – Override Payment Type Restriction permission.

WHAT'S OUT OF SCOPE?

• Group & Bulk Check-In: This feature is not applied to group/bulk check-ins, under the assumption these reservations are pre-validated.