Some bookings may be completed without payment if certain settings allow customers to reserve a space before making a payment. Understanding why this happens helps you fine-tune your setup, reduce unpaid reservations, and encourage timely payments from customers.
This article explains why bookings can be completed without payment and how to adjust your setup to ensure payments are collected.
Why bookings may complete without payment
Bookings skip the payment screen when offline payment methods are available. Offline payments happen outside Bookwhen, such as bank transfers or cash. If these are allowed:
Customers can choose an offline method
The booking completes without making an online payment
No payment is taken during checkout
This applies when an event offers both online and offline options.
How to enforce online payment
To ensure every booking includes an online payment, update your event settings to remove offline options:
Select the entry from your Scheduling page and select Edit entry to open the settings.
Select the Tickets & Costs tab.
Scroll down to the Payment options section and select the Enforce online payment option:
Select Save or Save & Exit to save your settings. You'll need to repeat this step for each entry on your account.
This setting requires customers to pay online at checkout, preventing offline methods.
Benefits of enforcing online payment
Payments are collected immediately
No follow-up is needed to request unpaid fees
Customers complete their booking and payment in one step
Setting clear payment rules helps you stay in control of billing and reduces manual admin later.
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