How does a traveler reserve and make payment?
Travelers can book and pay by card once you connect Stripe, Square or PayPal. Accept or decline each request, or switch on Instant Book. You can also take payment outside Houfy.
Last updated August 24, 2026
For those who would like travelers to book and pay on Houfy with credit card (just like they would book and pay on other sites), connect one of Houfy's integrated processors - Stripe, Square or PayPal - from Settings > Connected payments. With PayPal your guest does not need a PayPal account; they type their card details in the same way. By default you still have the option to accept or decline each booking request: a card entry arrives as a Pending Direct Booking. If you would rather have bookings confirm themselves, turn on Instant Book for that listing: open the listing, go to Calendar settings, click Edit, and switch on Allow instant book without accept under Instant Booking. With it on there is no accept step - the guest's card is charged and the booking is confirmed straight away. Instant Book needs one of the connected payment processors to be active.
Even though Stripe, Square and PayPal are integrated with Houfy, you are the merchant of record: the charge is created against your own connected account and settles to you. The money never sits in a Houfy balance.
If you prefer not to connect Stripe, Square or PayPal, just fill out your listing's Payment & Policies section and tick the payment methods you accept.
Can travelers just send me an inquiry if they are not ready to book?
Of course! Travelers can send hosts an inquiry, send a question via the contact host button, or use the email/phone info (if made public) shown on a host's profile. A text and email notification will be sent from Houfy.
Set up online payments
Create your free Square or Stripe account directly on Houfy. Here is a brief comparison guide of Square and Stripe.
Be sure to connect your Stripe, Square or PayPal account to Houfy.
Once you have a Stripe, Square or PayPal account connected to Houfy, travelers can enter dates and pay with credit card.
The host receives a "pending booking request" via text and email, with option to accept/decline. After accepting the pending booking request, the dates will automatically be blocked on your Houfy calendar.
Accepting payment outside of Houfy
Travelers can send an inquiry and you will arrange payment however you wish. Once you have decided to proceed with the booking, you can click "mark as confirmed" on the inquiry. This does two things:
Blocks the dates on your Houfy calendar.
Lets Houfy know you received a booking even though payment is being made outside of the platform.