Where in the booking process do you request picture ID?

Question

Yes, I'm actually asking a question instead of answering one.
My STR is next door. I see all my Guests. Never instituted "Picture ID Required" step. I have Instant Booking.
Where do I put that requirement in the booking process?

Andrew Steffens · Answer

We do it for all bookings where we are the merchant of record (direct, VRBO, and a few others). We use JotForm and its a form that automatically goes out and requests picture of CC and credit card. We got hit a couple years ago with a lot of CC fraud so that is when we instituted it.

John Underwood · Answer

I have an automated Vrbo message that goes out after booking that says to send a copy of their DL via text or email directly to me and to confirm number of guests and pets.

JD Martin · Answer

I do the same thing as John except I contact them directly instead of automated. Because I also ask them to send a good cell number as 90% of the time the cell numbers that are listed on the booking sites don't work or are garbage numbers, and we send all of our check-in and house information to them via a good cell number the day of stay.

Collin Hays · Answer

Mike, we have never implemented this process. It's cumbersome. I don't recall that we have ever had an issue, but it is possible something could happen.

Ken Boone · Answer

Dude all I know is AirBnb is worthless on this. There verification does not do any photo ID or verify squat. I don't remember all the details but I remember getting into with them over this very issue.

Jon Martin · Answer

Pretty easy with camera phones nowadays

Christina B. · Answer

The replies here make sense to me and while I don't currently require it, I realize that could change, based on fraud. I did want to share that when I was on the other side of the fence last year and trying to book a very specific Chicago STR (had to have no stairs for one guest so either elevator, etc.), I passed on several properties that would have been great simply because they had onerous requirements. I was good with providing my picture ID but they required it of everyone in our group- and that's a privacy issue I just wasn't willing to work with (even though I reached out to them directly and would have been happy to put down a deposit, etc.). I can't think of a single high end property or hotel that requires photo ID for everyone in your group when making a booking. So we ended up on Navy Pier at a lovely hotel where we could see the fireworks, etc.

@Mike Grudzien If you decide to implement this, please make it clear on your OTA page, booking page (under Rules, etc.) that a photo ID is required to book. And when they request to book, you can provide them with your rental agreement (and/or your preferred method by which they can provide you with the ID). Confirmation for the booking is only provided once all your requirements have been met, etc.

Jon Martin · Answer

I don't do it with the OTAs. I'm wrongfully assuming that they verify all the guests, but they at least verify a good chunk.

Direct booking? Immediately. No different than checking into a hotel.

Ken Boone · Answer

I do that through my PMS. First of all I do VRBO,AirBnb, and direct bookings. On the OTA, I do state that the guest will need to agree with and sign my digital rental agreements. Once a guest books (any method), the PMS sends out a thanks for booking message etc and in that message there is verbiage about needing them to fill out the info in the online registration portal (part of Hostaway) as well as sign the digital rental agreement. (Also part of Hostaway).

Once they hit the my online registration portal, it prompts them for a few things, Email, Phone number, selfie photo and photo ID. I also collect the names of all guests that are 18+ on this form as well. It also allows them to view and sign the digital rental agreement. Once both of those items are completed the PMS will then send them out everything they need to know about the STR they booked.

Where in the booking process do you request picture ID?

Where in the booking process do you request picture ID?

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