Problem Statement:
- Direct booking payment schedules only allow installments to be set as "days before check-in" — there's no way to schedule payments for dates during the stay (e.g., day 30 or day 60 of a long-term booking)
- For long-term stays (30–90+ days), hosts must collect the full payment upfront before check-in, which is a significant barrier for guests
Current Workaround:
- Hosts either require full upfront payment (which deters long-term guests) or manage payments manually outside of Hospitable (e.g., collecting payments via separate invoicing or payment links)
Impact:
- Lost bookings from guests who prefer or need monthly payment options
- Additional manual work for hosts managing off-platform payment collection
- Inability to compete with platforms like Airbnb that support monthly payments for long-term stays
Proposed Solution:
- Allow payment schedules to include installments due during the stay (e.g., monthly payments starting from check-in)
- Enable hosts to set custom due dates relative to check-in (e.g., "30 days after check-in," "60 days after check-in")
Unlock:
- Hosts can offer flexible monthly payment plans for long-term stays, making their properties more attractive to extended-stay guests
- Streamlined payment collection within Hospitable, eliminating the need for manual off-platform arrangements