---
title: "Guesty request-to-book: missing payment cards"
description: "If request-to-book reservations from Guesty are arriving without a working payment card, there are three ways to handle it, depending on how you want to…"
url: "https://homerunner.io/docs/what-are-the-options-for-fixing-missing-payment-cards-on-guesty-request-to-book/"
updated: "2026-10-26"
category: PMS connections and sync
---

# Guesty request-to-book: missing payment cards

If request-to-book reservations from Guesty are arriving without a working payment card, there are three ways to handle it, depending on how you want to approach the problem.

**Option 1: Keep request-to-book and add card pre-validation.** This requires a restricted Stripe API key for your connected Stripe account, so the card can be validated before the reservation is created. Enter the key under **HomeRunner Settings > Payment Providers**, alongside the publishable key. If you do not have a dashboard login, contact support, who will arrange a secure handoff.

**Option 2: Switch to instant booking.** You can switch the property's connection to instant booking, where payment is validated as part of the booking step itself.

**Option 3: Request a payment method before approving (interim step).** As an interim operational step, do the following before approving any request-to-book reservation, so a working card is on file while the guest is still engaged:

1. Open the reservation in Guesty.
2. Go to the **Payments** tab.
3. Use the **Request payment method** option.

In most cases the guest simply had a card declined and will readily provide another one.

Still stuck? [Contact the HomeRunner team](https://homerunner.io/contact/) with your site address and what you tried, and we take it from there.