This guide explains how to set up and manage partial payments (deposits) for bookings using the WP Booking System. Partial payments allow you to charge a deposit when a booking is made and collect the remaining balance either online or in cash. Follow the steps below to configure part payments and set up a secondary payment page for final payments.

Step 1: Setting Up Part Payments

Part payments can be configured to charge a deposit as a percentage or fixed amount of the booking cost, with the option to accept the final payment online or in cash. To set up part payments:

1. Navigate to Payment Options:
   • Go to the Payment Options → General Settings tab in your WP Booking System dashboard.
2. Configure Part Payment Settings:
   • Deposit Type: Choose whether the deposit is a Percentage or a Fixed Amount.
   • Deposit Amount: Enter the deposit value (e.g., 20% or $50, depending on the Deposit Type).
   • Deposit Source (available for Percentage type only):
     • Select Calendar and Form Prices to calculate the deposit based on the calendar price and any form extras.
     • Select Calendar Prices only to calculate the deposit based solely on the calendar price.
   • Applicable Period: Specify the number of days from the current date when the deposit is required. For example, you can skip deposits for bookings made within a short period (e.g., next week).
   • Applicability:
     • Mandatory: Forces customers to pay a deposit only.
     • Optional: Allows customers to choose between paying a deposit or the full amount.
   • Default Option (if Applicability is Optional): Set the default selection to either Deposit or Full Amount.
   • Calendars: Select which calendars the part payment settings apply to. If none are selected, the settings will apply to all calendars.
   • Final Payment Method:
     • Same as initial payment: The final payment will use the same payment method as the deposit, generating a payment link for the remaining balance.
     • Cash on arrival: The customer will pay the remaining balance in cash when they arrive.
3. Save Settings:
   • Save your configurations to enable part payments for bookings.

Note: Setting the deposit amount to 0 will create a booking without requiring an initial payment, allowing the entire amount to be paid as the final payment.

Step 2: Setting Up the Secondary Payment Page

If you choose Same as initial payment for the Final Payment Method, you must set up a secondary payment page to display the payment form for the final payment. This page is also used for payment links generated when manually adding a booking.

1. Create the Secondary Payment Page:
   • In your WordPress dashboard, create a new page or edit an existing one to serve as the secondary payment page.
   • Add the [wpbs-payment-form] shortcode to the page content. This shortcode will be replaced with the final payment form when a booking is made.
2. Configure Secondary Payment Page Settings:
   • Navigate to the Secondary Payment Page settings in your WP Booking System dashboard.
   • Page: Select the page you created for the final payment form.
   • Confirmation Message: Enter a message to display to customers after they complete the final payment (e.g., “Thank you for your payment!”).
3. Test the Page:
   • Access the secondary payment page directly in your browser. You should see a “Missing Payment ID” message, indicating the shortcode is working correctly.
   • When a booking is made with a deposit, a unique payment link with the payment ID is automatically generated and can be found in the Payment Details tab of the booking modal.
4. Save Settings:
   • Save the secondary payment page settings to ensure the payment form functions correctly.

Step 3: Managing Final Payment Notifications

To streamline the final payment process, you can set up email notifications to send customers the final payment link:

1. Configure Email Notifications:
   • In your WP Booking System dashboard, go to the form settings and locate the email notification options.
   • Use the Customer Final Payment Reminder template for quick setup.
   • Include the {Final Payment Link} placeholder in the email content to provide customers with the link to complete their final payment.
2. Send Reminders:
   • When a booking is made with a deposit, the final payment link will be generated and included in the email notification if the {Final Payment Link} placeholder is used.

Step 4: Accepting Final Payments

• If Using “Same as Initial Payment”:
  • Customers will receive a payment link (generated automatically and accessible in the Payment Details tab of the booking modal).
  • They can use this link to access the secondary payment page and complete the final payment using the same payment method as the deposit.
• If Using “Cash on Arrival”:
  • Customers will pay the remaining balance in cash when they arrive, and no further online payment setup is required.

Troubleshooting

• Missing Payment ID Error: If the secondary payment page shows a “Missing Payment ID” message when accessed directly, this is normal. The correct payment link with the payment ID is generated when a booking is made.
• Payment Link Not Working: Ensure the [wpbs-payment-form] shortcode is correctly added to the secondary payment page and that the page is selected in the Secondary Payment Page settings.
• Email Notifications Not Sending: Verify that the {Final Payment Link} placeholder is included in the email template and that the email settings are correctly configured.

By following these steps, you can successfully set up and accept partial payments for bookings, providing flexibility for your customers and streamlining your payment process.

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