Stripe Integration Setup
HiLucy uses Stripe as its payment processor. This guide covers the initial setup and configuration.
What Stripe Handles
- Checkout payments — Guests pay for bookings via Stripe
- Security deposits — Authorize-then-void verification for rentals (no fee charged to guest)
- Folio holds — A hold on a hotel guest's card that pays the bill when the folio is closed
- Card-on-file — Save guest payment methods for future charges
- Damage charges — Charge the guest's card if damage occurs
- Refunds — Process full or partial refunds
Setup Steps
1. Create a Stripe Account
If you don't have one, visit stripe.com and create an account. Complete the business verification process.
2. Connect Stripe to HiLucy
In your HiLucy admin dashboard:
- Go to Settings → Payments
- In the Stripe Connect card, click Connect with Stripe
- Authorize HiLucy on Stripe. You come back to the Payments tab when you are done.
The Stripe Connect card belongs to your HiLucy login, not to one property, so it looks the same whichever property you have selected. Under it, the Where [property] settles panel shows where the selected property's guest payments actually land. Check that panel for each property.
The Payments tab also holds Invoices, where you set how your invoices look.
3. Set Currency and Deposits
These are not on the Payments tab:
- Currency — Settings → General
- Hotel folio hold amount — Money → Folio settings
- Rental security deposits — Rental Manager
How Payments Work
When a guest checks out on your site:
- Guest enters payment details on the checkout page
- Stripe processes the payment securely
- If the rental has a security deposit, an authorize-then-void hold is placed
- The guest's card is saved on file for future charges
- Order confirmation is sent automatically
Security Deposit System
HiLucy's rental deposit system uses authorize-then-void — we authorize a temporary hold on the guest's card, then immediately void it. This:
- Verifies the card is valid and has sufficient funds
- Charges zero fees to the guest (the authorization is voided, not captured)
- Saves the card on file for potential damage charges
See Security Deposits for full details.
Hotel folio holds work differently: the hold is captured to pay the bill when the folio is closed. See Payment Processing.