In the world of short-term rentals, how you control your booking flow plays a vital role in guest experience and operational efficiency. That’s why, in your RentalWise dashboard, you can decide whether each of your properties should use Instant Book or Request to Book—giving you flexibility and control over how reservations are confirmed.
Let’s explore what these options mean, when to use them, and how to configure them properly in your account.
What’s the Difference?
✅ Instant Book
Guests can confirm a reservation immediately without needing your approval. As soon as they book, the dates are blocked and the booking is confirmed.
Ideal for: Hosts who want to streamline the booking process, reduce friction, and maximize occupancy.
🕒 Request to Book
Guests must submit a booking request first. You will need to approve or reject the booking manually. The calendar remains open until you take action.
Ideal for: Hosts who want more control over who stays, need time to vet guests, or manage complex schedules.
⚠ Don’t confuse Request to Book with Inquiries—requests are active booking attempts, while inquiries are more informal messages.
🔧 How to Set Instant Book or Request to Book
💡 Note: These settings apply only to your RentalWise Direct Booking Website and VRBO integration. For other OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com, settings are adjusted when taking your properties live on the respective paltforms.
To configure booking behavior per property:
1. Log into your RentalWise Dashboard
2. Go to PMS > Properties and select the property you want to edit
3. Click on the Settings tab
4. Under Availability Settings, click Manage
5. Choose either:
Instant Book
Request to Book
6. Click Save
That’s it! Your property’s booking flow is now updated.
👁 What Does This Look Like?
For Guests:
Instant Book: Guests will see a “Confirm and Pay” button and receive instant confirmation.
Request to Book: Guests will see a “Request Reservation” button and wait for your confirmation.
For You (The Host):
Instant Book: Booking instantly appears in your CRM with status “Confirmed”
Request to Book: Booking appears with status “Pending Approval,” and you will need to manually accept or decline.
Final Tips:
Instant Book can increase conversions and make your website feel more professional.
Request to Book can help avoid mismatches and protect your property and brand.
You can change the setting at any time based on seasonality or performance.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure about which setting fits your business best or need help with OTA-specific configurations, check our Help Center Articles or Contact Support.