Approve Bookings First: Request to Reserve
Give yourself a chance to review who wants your dates before anyone pays. Guests request stays, you accept or decline when ready, and after you accept they have 24 hours to complete Reserve.
What this setting does
By default, TrueBookings listings use instant Reserve: guests pick dates, pay, and the booking is confirmed right away. Approve bookings first changes that flow for your listing.
- When the switch is on, the homepage button becomes Request instead of Reserve.
- Guests send a request with their dates and guest counts.
- You get an email and manage requests in Reservations & Availability.
- Nothing is paid until you accept and the guest taps Reserve afterward.
Turn it on in Basic Info
Open your host admin, go to Basic Info, and enable Approve bookings first. The toggle matches the email preference switches in your Profile tab.
Leave it off if you prefer guests to reserve and pay immediately with no approval step.
The 24-hour window after you accept
There is no countdown while a request is waiting for your decision. The 24-hour clock starts when you accept.
- You can accept or decline from Reservations & Availability whenever you are ready.
- After accept, the guest has 24 hours to tap Reserve and pay.
- If they do not book in time, the request expires, the visual hold ends, and others can request those dates again.
Dates look held — payment stays the same
While a request is pending or accepted (within the 24-hour reserve window), those dates appear unavailable to other guests on your homepage. Your real availability and payment system are not permanently blocked by the request itself; the guest you approved can still complete the normal Reserve checkout for those dates.
What guests see
- They select dates as usual, then tap Request (login required).
- While waiting, the button shows Requested.
- If you accept, they get an email and can open your listing again to tap Reserve and pay.
- If you decline, they get an email and can pick other dates.
- Other guests see the requested nights as unavailable during the hold.
Guest-facing rules are also summarized in the booking policy.
Emails and where you respond
When someone requests your listing, you receive an email with their name, check-in, check-out, and guest counts, plus a link into admin. Guests receive an email when you accept or decline.
Respond in admin under Reservations & Availability — the same tab where you manage bookings and calendar availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is a request a confirmed booking?
No. A request only asks for your approval. Payment and confirmation happen when the guest completes Reserve after you accept.
What happens if the guest misses the 24 hours after acceptance?
The accepted request expires. The visual hold for other guests ends, and anyone can request those dates again if Approve bookings first is still enabled.
Can the guest who requested still see the dates?
Yes. Pending and accepted requests keep those dates available to that guest so they can finish Reserve after you accept. Other visitors see them as unavailable during the hold.
Does this replace instant booking forever?
Only while the switch is on. Turn it off anytime in Basic Info to return to direct Reserve on your homepage.