Automated Deposit Rules & Pre-Authorization

Some bookings need skin in the game. A table of twelve on New Year's Eve. A private room on Valentine's. A tasting menu where the prep cost lands whether the guest shows or not. Saying "please commit" isn't enough — you need money on the line.

Automated Deposit Rules let you set exactly when a deposit is required — by party size, by slot, by area, by date range. When the rule fires, the booking form requires a card, the deposit is pre-authorized (not charged), and the hold sits until the rule decides what to do with it. Show up and follow the agreement, the hold is released. Cancel late or no-show, the deposit is captured.

Pre-authorization is the key detail. Unlike an upfront charge, pre-auth doesn't move money — it just ring-fences the guest's available balance. If everything goes well, the hold releases automatically after the grace window with no accounting friction. If something goes wrong, capture is one click (or automatic, depending on rule).

The guest sees the deposit amount and refund terms on the booking form before confirming. The email restates it. Disputes are rare because the contract is clear and in writing.