Prepaid fares have been updated on the Island: choosing such a tariff, you will see how much and when you need to pay before arrival, and how much to pay upon arrival. This format is suitable for those who are not sure about the plans or do not yet have the entire amount.
Let’s tell you how it works, and at the same time remind you about other ways to book and pay for housing. Choose the most convenient one for you!
Content
- When an advance payment is needed
- How does prepayment work
- How else can I pay for reservations on the Island
When prepayment is needed
Prepayment is convenient in the following cases:
- there is no certainty that the trip will take place, and I do not want to pay the entire amount at once (for example, it is unclear whether they will give a visa, the boss has not yet agreed on a vacation or there are alternative plans);
- the account does not have the entire required amount yet (for example, you are waiting for a salary, vacation pay, or when all participants of the trip will chip in for accommodation).
How does prepayment work
Prepayment is a percentage of the total amount of the reservation. As a rule, it is the cost of one or two nights (in rare cases — 100% of the booking price). The prepayment must be made before arrival, and the rest can already be paid upon check-in. To immediately consider only hotels that offer similar rates, select the “On-site payment” filter.
If you click on the “Payment on site” filter, in The search will also display hotels that offer prepaid rates.
Information about the prepaid rate can be seen on the hotel’s page when you choose a room for specific dates. To do this, you need to:
- scroll through the hotel page to the “Available options” block;
- click on the “i” icon if you see the word “prepayment” in the tariff card;
- find out the full information: how much and when to transfer, as well as how to do it.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, we recommend checking the payment terms: they are hidden behind the “i” icon.
Depending on how soon the check-in date is, you will have from one hour to several days to make an advance payment. You can do this by clicking on the button in the voucher, through your personal account or by clicking on the link in the reminder message. And so that you do not miss the deadline for making the prepayment, we will send an SMS or push notification, as well as an email.
It’s safe
Prepayment is made through the Island’s own secure payment instruments, meaning the hotel will not require you to transfer money to an unfamiliar bank account or card number.
If suddenly, after reminders, you still forget to deposit money, the reservation will not be canceled automatically at the same second, you will still have a little time. However, we recommend that you do not experiment and transfer the required amount immediately.
How can I monitor the prepayment status
All the details of the prepayment are displayed in your personal account: how much you need to deposit, by what date and how much more to pay on the spot.
You no longer need to constantly update your mail in order not to miss an email from the hotel. As we have already said, careful reminders will definitely come from us that it is time to make an advance payment.
How to cancel a prepaid reservation
If the plans have changed and the reservation is no longer relevant, you can cancel it. Here it is important to pay attention to the cancellation policy, which also applies to the refund of the prepayment.
If plans have changed and the free cancellation period has not passed yet, there is a chance to cancel trips without losses.
For example, if you alreadyI made an advance payment, but the free cancellation period has not yet arrived, the money will be returned to your account. If the free cancellation period has passed, the prepayment amount will be deducted as a fine.
In case of force majeure, the Islet support team can contact the hotel and try to minimize the fine or avoid it. Be sure to contact us and we will try to help.
How else can I pay for reservations on the Island
Payment now
This method speaks for itself: when booking, the entire amount for the stay is debited from the bank card. The advantage is that such rates are often more profitable than others, besides, then you will not need to worry about this part of trip planning: pay — and walk boldly.
To choose a hotel with payment immediately on the website or in the application, use the “Pay now” filter. On the hotel’s page, you will find such a rate in the “Available options” section.
This is what the “Pay Now” filter looks like.
Even if you immediately deposit the entire amount, this does not mean that the reservation cannot be canceled — again, we urge you to carefully study the cancellation policy. Is there a free cancellation period in the selected tariff ? Pay attention to the date: it is up to this day that you can cancel the reservation and refund the entire amount or part of it. The cancellation policy is also displayed in the voucher, which will appear in your personal account and will be sent to your email.
If the tariff does not imply cancellation, you will see the inscription “The cost will not be refunded upon cancellation”. Of course, if you have a critical case, our support specialists will try to help — contact us in an online chat via the website or mobile application.
How to save on accommodation
Often tariffs with online payment are more profitable than with on-site payment. The most successful offers in the service are highlighted with a green bar “best price”.
In general, there is another way to book hotels with pleasant discounts — to join the loyalty program of the GURU Island. It is enough to register — and immediately start saving from 10% on accommodation. To find hotels that offer discounts, click on the “GURU Discounts” filter on the search page.
Payment on site
There is another option — to pay for the reservation in full upon arrival at the hotel. There are two options here:
- bank card data is needed;
- you will not need your bank card details.
In the first case, the hotel will request the card details to ensure that you will definitely arrive and check into the room or apartment. Money can be debited both before arrival and only on the day of your arrival — it depends on the rules of the hotel.
The tariff in the screenshot implies that the hotel can charge money from the bank card that you specify at the time of booking, before arrival.
If you can do without bank card details, on the hotel page next to such rates it will be written: “Payment on site. You don’t need a card for booking!”.
It is better to search for such accommodation options using a combination of filters “You do not need a card for booking” plus “Payment on the spot”.
Alas, it will not work just like that and not check in — you can get a fine for no-show.
As always, it is important to keep track of the free cancellation period so as not to run into a fine if you decide to cancel the trip anyway. Yes, you just can’t take it and not come — the hotel will charge you a fine, which may be equal to the cost of one night or even the entire period of stay. For example, the screenshot above shows that the penalty for no-show is the cost of the night.
It is important for us not only to inspire travel, but also to make their organization more convenient and accessible. Clear and diverse payment methods help not only to choose the most suitable accommodation option, but also to plan a budget, which is oh so important for any trips!
Well, now only the “book” button separates you from your cherished vacation. Let’s go!
