October 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Booking holds with deadlines: how to reserve a date for a client
A client says yes, but the deposit will come tomorrow. What do you do with the date in the meantime? A hold is the answer: reserve it, with a clear end time.
What a hold is
A hold reserves a date for a named client for a limited time. During that time the date is not available to anyone else. If the booking is confirmed, the hold becomes a booking. If not, it releases and the date is free again.
Why the deadline matters
A hold without an end blocks the calendar for ever and hides real demand. A deadline keeps the calendar honest: the date is either confirmed or released.
How long should a hold last
- ✓Long enough for a client to send a deposit, typically a day or two for dates far away.
- ✓Shorter for dates that are close, because there is less time to find another guest.
- ✓Never open-ended.
Reminders help
A reminder shortly before the deadline lets the agency chase the client or release the date in time. StaySync sends a phone notification before each hold ends.
Confirm and record the payment
As soon as the deposit arrives, mark the booking as confirmed and record what was paid. Your monthly statement then shows every booking, what was paid and the commission.
Keep every date in sync
One shared calendar for owners and agencies, with holds, Plan B backups and reminders.
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