A booking fee by SMS helps you confirm a direct reservation with a simple advance payment. You send a secure payment link by SMS, the customer pays remotely, and you confirm the reservation under the terms you have agreed.
The live demo is available without signup. If you are ready, create your account and connect Stripe.
Real flow
Amount
EUR 120.00
Reason
Booking fee
Channel
SMS + email
Secure payment
You keep control of direct bookings.
For direct reservations, the real issue is not the label but the policy: amount, deadline and cancellation terms need to be clear from the start.
A received booking payment can help you commit time or capacity to the reservation. You decide when the date is confirmed under your own terms.
see first payments for services
Also review the online security deposit.
Many professionals collect booking fees directly to keep the customer relationship, margins and reservation terms in their own hands.
Sending the link by SMS means you avoid marketplaces while still being flexible. secure payment link.
A booking payment makes the agreed commitment tangible. After checking it has been paid, you can confirm the reservation under the conditions you set with the customer.
With PayLinker, it stays simple: you send an SMS payment link, the customer pays online and you get instant confirmation (useful for your team and your records).
Clarify the amount, service and booking conditions before sending the link. The English phrase ‘booking payment’ describes money collected towards the agreed reservation; it does not set universal cancellation rights. A card security deposit is a separate authorization.
If your main goal is reducing no‑shows, this page helps too: deposit by SMS.
Keep the message clear: “Here is the secure link to pay the booking fee and confirm your reservation.”
Then link to a page that explains the process: payment link, proof, flow, and conditions.
Stripe processes the payment; PayLinker shows the confirmed status before Stripe's later bank payout.
PayLinker does not set the booking fee amount. Only the transaction pays your PayLinker commission and Stripe fees. 1 SMS = 1 credit.
Can I request a booking fee without a marketplace?
Yes, send the payment link yourself by SMS and keep the reservation in your own hands, without Airbnb, Booking or another intermediary.
Is the booking fee refundable?
Refunds depend on the agreed terms and applicable rules; PayLinker does not decide them automatically.
Does the customer need an account to pay?
No. They open the link and pay without creating a PayLinker account.
Can I send the booking fee link by email?
Yes. Email delivery does not consume SMS credits; an SMS uses 1 credit. Choose the channel that suits the customer.
Is the payment secure?
Stripe secures every transaction and the funds go directly to your business account.
Send the booking fee by SMS, get paid online on a secure Stripe page, and keep a clean history without needing a terminal.
Selling seats for an event? Discover PayLinker ticketing.
