OwnerRez offers many different payment processing options. Be sure to read the Payment Processing Overview to get a general idea about what we offer and how it works. That article, as well as our videos on credit cards, checks and PayPal, covers the typical workflow and most normal questions.
This article provides a list of common questions and answers about payment processing that are not covered elsewhere.
- I want to use several different credit card payment processors.
- I'm trying to refund but getting an unexpected error.
- How do I find specific transactions?
- I am limited in my country to processors accepted by the banks here. Can I use a standard checkout screen instead of going through a processor's API connection with OwnerRez?
- How do I handle a chargeback?
I want to use several different credit card payment processors.
No problem! You can configure any number of credit card payment processor accounts in OwnerRez - from the same provider, different providers, or a mix.
The only limitation is that any one property can only be assigned to just one credit card payment processor account at a time.
If you decide to change processor accounts, you can do that.
I'm trying to refund but getting an unexpected error.
If your processor is otherwise functioning correctly (other payments and refunds are going through fine), but you're having a stubborn issue with one particular refund, there are several common reasons for that:
- It's been too long since the payment took place. If the payment is 6 or more months old, you won't be able to refund back to the same card. You might get a message like "transaction doesn't meet the criteria for a refund".
In this case, you won't be able to refund back to the card and must send the refund a different way (see below). - It hasn't been long enough since the payment took place. If the payment was made today, likely it hasn't settled yet. Instead of refunding, click on the payment in the transactions list in OwnerRez and use the Void & Delete button to void it.
Note: Stripe doesn't use Voids -- Stripe payments can be refunded same day. - You've disabled the original payment method in OwnerRez and switched to a different one. Refunds must be related to a source transaction. If you've disabled one card processor and switched to another, you won't be able to refund in OwnerRez.
If the merchant account is still live but just disabled in OwnerRez, go to Settings > Payment Methods in OwnerRez and reactivate it. You don't need to associate it with a property, just make the payment method active and then you'll be able to issue the refund.
If the merchant account has closed, you'll need to refund a different way (see below).
If you can't refund back to the card for one of the reasons above, you must send the refund a different way like check, PayPal, Venmo, etc. instead.
Then record it as a non-card manual refund in OwnerRez so the balance tallies up correctly.
How do I find specific transactions?
There are several different ways to trace a transaction, and a number of limitations.
First, be aware that, in most cases, the amount of a transaction as reported in OwnerRez will not be the same amount that actually gets deposited into your bank account. This is for two reasons:
- Processors and listing channels generally deduct their fees before depositing funds. Thus, if OwnerRez says you got $100 from a guest, you'll probably only actually get $97 (or less) in your account. OwnerRez also does not always know the amount of those fees, so it cannot always be deduced from the financial data it displays.
- Deposits frequently will include payments from several different unrelated bookings, leading to a larger deposit than any single booking.
That said, there are a number of different ways to trace transactions:
- You can search for a specific amount, by entering that currency amount in the main OwnerRez search bar.
- If you know the guest's name, you can also search for that in the main OwnerRez search bar.
- If the payment was made using a credit card, use the Credit Card Processing History report. This report allows you to filter by dates and other parameters, and also allows searches using the last four digits of the card number or the Processor Transaction ID to help with cross checking transaction history from the merchant account side.
- The Credit Card Processing History report also displays the Processor Transaction ID of each transaction. You can use this ID with the processor, to have them perform tracing and gather data not available to OwnerRez.
I am limited in my country to processors accepted by the banks here. Can I use a standard checkout screen instead of going through a processor's API connection with OwnerRez?
If the processor supports a payment link, you could create a custom payment method in OwnerRez that directs guests to pay via that link rather than processing online in OwnerRez. For more about that, reference our Custom Payment Options article.
Using this method, you basically just write out "pay via this link", the guest will book in OwnerRez and the booking will be made pending, the same as if it was a check-based booking. Then the guest will go over there and make payment, and then you would edit the booking in OwnerRez and record the payment which would clear the pending flag and make it permanent in the system.
How do I handle a chargeback?
Chargebacks occur when a guest disputes a transaction with their bank or credit card company, and the funds are returned to the guest. As a vacation rental business owner, chargebacks can be frustrating and time-consuming, but there are some steps you can take to handle them effectively.
- Chargeback transactions must be adjusted manually in the disputed booking by OwnerRez users.
- Understand the reason for the chargeback: The first step in handling a chargeback is to understand why the guest initiated the dispute. You should review the chargeback documentation provided by your payment processor or bank, which will explain the reason for the chargeback.
- Gather evidence: Once you understand the reason for the chargeback, gather any evidence that supports your case. This could include booking transactions, renter agreements, communication with the guest and any other documentation.
- Respond promptly: It's important to respond promptly to chargebacks to increase your chances of winning the dispute. Most payment processors and banks have a specific timeframe for responding to chargebacks, so make sure you meet the deadline.
- Dispute the chargeback: If you believe the chargeback is unjustified, you can dispute it with your payment processor or bank. You will need to provide the evidence you have gathered to support your case.
- Review your vacation rental business practices: Chargebacks may be an indication that there are issues with your business practices, such as poor guest service or unclear refund policies. Use chargebacks as an opportunity to identify areas where you can improve and prevent future disputes.
- Consider choosing a payment processor that offers chargeback support.