How to take deposits for tour bookings

Taking a deposit is the simplest way to secure a booking and cut no-shows. Here's how to do it cleanly — even when the booking came in over chat.

Why take a deposit at all

A deposit does two jobs: it commits the guest, so they're far less likely to no-show, and it protects you against last-minute cancellations on trips with limited capacity. For higher-value or equipment-heavy activities, it also covers your upfront costs if plans change.

How a deposit link works

You don't need a website checkout. With Retveno you generate a Stripe checkout link in one click from any booking and send it to the guest in the same chat they booked in. They pay on their phone, and the booking flips to "deposit paid" automatically — no chasing, no manual reconciliation. The money lands in your own Stripe account; Retveno takes no cut.

Deposit or full payment?

A part-deposit (often 20–30%) is the sweet spot for most operators: enough to secure the booking without front-loading the whole cost. You can also send a link for the full amount when it suits — for example for last-minute bookings or small group add-ons. Collect the balance on the day however you already do.