# Deposits, card holds and cancellation fees

Source: https://docs.neropay.app/bookings/deposits-card-holds-and-cancellation-fees
Last updated: 2026-11-11T12:47:35+00:00

You can ask customers to pay a deposit, pay in full or leave a card when they book a service. You choose when the money is taken and what happens if they cancel late. These settings are made per service in Booking Settings.

> 📸 Three ways to secure a booking, and an example cancellation rule.
> 
>  ![Three capture methods: charge now, authorise now and capture later, or save card only. Below, a timeline shows free cancellation until your notice period, then a cancellation fee per guest.](https://docs.neropay.app/contents/docs/medias/2026/11/6f06316f36498db34bf3087808f429b0c618fc7b.jpg)

### Set it up for a service

| Step | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | Go to **Booking Settings → Services** and open the service in the Service editor |
| 2 | Turn on **Take payment for this service** |
| 3 | Choose the **Payment type**: pay for the full service, or pay a deposit only |
| 4 | Enter the deposit amount and choose how it is worked out |
| 5 | In **Require deposit from this many guests**, enter the party size that has to pay |
| 6 | Choose the **Capture method**, then save the service |

### Capture methods

| Capture method | What happens |
| --- | --- |
| **Charge now** | The customer pays when they book. This is the standard option |
| **Authorise now, capture later** | The amount is reserved on the card when they book and taken later |
| **Save card only** | Nothing is charged at booking. The card is kept in case a cancellation fee applies |

### Late cancellations

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Free cancellation notice** | How long before the booking a customer can cancel without a fee: 1, 24, 48 or 72 hours |
| **Cancellation fee per guest** | The amount per guest charged when someone cancels inside the notice period |
| **Charge applies to parties up to** | The largest party size the fee applies to |
| **Save a card for smaller-party cancellation fees** | Asks parties that do not pay a deposit to leave a card, so the fee can be charged if needed |

### Refunds when customers cancel

These apply to every service. Go to **Booking Settings → Guests approval**.

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Auto refund deposit if customer cancels** | Gives the deposit back automatically when the customer cancels |
| **Automatic deposit refund deadline** | Only refunds automatically if they cancel at least 1, 24, 48 or 72 hours before, or at any time |
| **Take payment after confirming** | Shows the payment on the confirmation page after the booking is confirmed, not during booking |

> 💡 Note: To refund a payment yourself, open it in [Transactions](https://docs.neropay.app/neropay-dashboard/transactions) and click **Refund**.

### Practical example

A restaurant wants to protect its Saturday tables from no-shows without putting off small groups.

| Setting | Their choice |
| --- | --- |
| Payment type | Deposit only |
| Require deposit from this many guests | 6, so only parties of 6 or more pay a deposit |
| Capture method | Charge now |
| Auto refund deposit if customer cancels | On, at least 24 hours before |
| Free cancellation notice | 24 hours before the booking |
| Save a card for smaller-party cancellation fees | On, so smaller parties leave a card instead of paying |

> ⚠️ Tell customers your deposit and cancellation terms in the service description, so they know before they book.

### Frequently asked questions

**Do all customers have to pay?**

No. Only the services where you turn on **Take payment for this service**, and only parties at or above the size you set.

**What is the difference between charging now and a card hold?**

Charging now takes the money when the customer books. A card hold reserves the amount on their card and takes it later.

**Can customers cancel without a charge?**

Yes, until your free cancellation notice period. After that, the cancellation fee per guest can apply.

**Are there fees for taking deposits?**

Card processing fees apply as per your [NeroPay pricing](https://docs.neropay.app/pricing/neropay-pricing).

**Can I refund a deposit myself?**

Yes. Open the payment in Transactions and click **Refund**.

*Still need help? Contact us at support@neropay.app or create a ticket.*