Upfront payments overview

To use payment policies, you’ll need to have Fresha Payments enabled. This allows you to collect upfront payments from clients and securely capture their card details.

Choose how to protect your bookings

There are two ways to secure your appointments using payment policies:

• Collect a deposit upfront: Take part of the service cost in advance, decide when it becomes non-refundable, and collect the remaining balance at checkout. Deposits add a strong layer of protection, making them ideal for high-value services, new clients, or peak times when the risk of no-shows or cancellations has the biggest impact.
• Capture card details: No payment is taken, but the client’s card is securely stored so you can charge fees later if needed. This option reduces no-shows without requiring upfront payment, giving you a simple way to protect your business.

If a client fails to show up or cancels outside your policy, you’ll have the option to charge a no-show or late cancellation fee. You can apply these policies by client, service, appointment, or booking value, giving you full flexibility to protect your schedule.

Booking appointments with an upfront payment

When a payment policy is active, your clients are prompted to confirm their appointment during the booking process.

• Online bookings: Clients confirm their appointments either by paying a deposit or securely adding their card details. Once confirmed, the appointment is booked. For deposits, any remaining balance is paid after the service.
• In-store bookings: You can apply your default payment policy. Deposits can be collected in person or requested via email or text, while card confirmations are completed through a secure link. If clients haven’t confirmed their appointment, reminders can be sent to complete payment or add their card details.