How do I screen guests who book directly?
Take direct bookings as requests you approve, ask a few questions before you accept, and decline when the answers don't fit your place. Guests who book direct come with no platform reviews or identity checks, so your request form, guest guidelines, cancellation terms and a clear damage policy do that work instead.
By StayPerk Team ยท Last checked
How to screen a request
- Turn on request to book, so nobody is confirmed until you say yes.
- Ask who is coming, the reason for the trip and the arrival time.
- Check that the name on the request matches the person paying, and that the number of guests fits your limit.
- Show your guest guidelines and cancellation terms on the booking page, so guests agree before they pay.
- Decline politely when something doesn't fit; you don't have to give a reason.
What to look for
| Signal | What to do |
|---|---|
| A local guest booking one night at a weekend | Ask the reason for the stay; parties often book this way |
| More guests than beds | Point to your guest limit, or decline |
| Wants to pay outside your checkout | Decline; keep every payment on the checkout |
| Vague answers to simple questions | Ask once more, then decline |
| A past guest or a referral | The safest direct guest; offer a returning-guest code |
Signals in a direct booking request
A local guest booking one night at a weekend
- What to do
- Ask the reason for the stay; parties often book this way
More guests than beds
- What to do
- Point to your guest limit, or decline
Wants to pay outside your checkout
- What to do
- Decline; keep every payment on the checkout
Vague answers to simple questions
- What to do
- Ask once more, then decline
A past guest or a referral
- What to do
- The safest direct guest; offer a returning-guest code
See a request to book
A demo booking page where guests pick dates and send a request, which the host approves or declines before any payment is taken. Booking is turned off on the demo.
What StayPerk does here
StayPerk's booking page can take requests you approve or decline, shows your guest guidelines and cancellation terms before guests book, and keeps every payment on the checkout.
It doesn't check guests' identity. Time-stamped turnover photos give you evidence if a stay goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask direct guests for ID?
That depends on local privacy and short-term rental rules where the property is. Many hosts ask for the lead guest's full name and phone number instead, and keep what they collect to a minimum.
Should I take a deposit from direct guests?
Many hosts do, or use damage protection instead. The damage deposit answer covers the options.
Still have a question?
Write to us and a person will reply, or look it up in the Help Center.