How HUSL Online Booking Cancellation Fee Settings Work with Stripe

If you have a Cancellation Fee enabled for your online bookings, HUSL works with Stripe, our integrated payment provider, to securely check your client's card when they make their booking.

This process uses something called SetupIntent.

The important thing to know is: HUSL does not take or hold your client's money when they make the booking.

Stripe simply checks that there is a valid card available that can be used later if a cancellation fee needs to be charged.

What is SetupIntent?

SetupIntent is a Stripe feature that allows a card to be securely saved for a future payment without charging it at the time of booking.

Think of it like taking a client's card details at the salon reception and saying:

"We're not charging you anything now. We're just securely keeping your card available in case our cancellation policy needs to be applied later."

Stripe handles this secure card setup for you through its integration with HUSL.

SetupIntent in simple terms:

Stripe checks the card now → no money is taken → the card can be charged later if a cancellation fee applies.

Why is this better for you and your clients?

This updated process provides protection for your business without creating a frustrating experience for your clients.

With SetupIntent:

• No cancellation fee is charged when the client books
• There is no pending cancellation fee showing on their bank account
• No money is temporarily held by their bank
• Stripe securely checks that a payment method is available
• If the client late cancels or doesn't show, the cancellation fee can be charged according to your policy

This means you can have a cancellation policy in place without asking your client to pay anything upfront.

What happens when a client books online?

When a client makes an online booking and you've enabled a cancellation fee:

1. Your client enters their card details during the booking process.
2. HUSL sends the card information securely through its Stripe integration.
3. Stripe uses SetupIntent to check and securely save the card for future payment.
4. No money is charged.
5. No money is placed on hold.

The client's booking is then confirmed.

What happens when the client attends their appointment?

If your client attends their appointment as normal, nothing happens with the cancellation fee.

You simply complete their appointment and take payment for their services as usual.

The cancellation fee is not charged.

What happens if a client late cancels or doesn't show?

If your client cancels outside your cancellation policy or doesn't attend their appointment, you can apply the cancellation fee.

For a no-show:

1. Open the client's appointment.
2. Tap Options.
3. Select Mark as No Show.

⚠️ Important: Once you select Mark as No Show, this action cannot be reversed.

HUSL will then ask Stripe to charge the cancellation fee to the card that was securely set up when the client made the booking.

What if Stripe can't charge the cancellation fee?

A card can be valid when the client makes their booking but no longer be able to process a payment when the cancellation fee needs to be charged.

For example:

• The client doesn't have enough available funds.
• The card has expired.
• The card has been cancelled.
• The bank declines the payment.

If Stripe is unable to process the cancellation fee, the client will automatically receive an email with a payment link.

The client can then use the payment link to pay the outstanding cancellation fee.

This means you don't need to manually chase the client for payment.

The easiest way to understand SetupIntent

Check the card now. Charge later if needed.

That's all SetupIntent means.

HUSL manages your online booking and cancellation-fee settings.

Stripe is the integrated payment provider that securely checks and stores the client's card for future payment.

No money is taken when the client books.

If the client attends their appointment, there is no cancellation fee.

If they late cancel or don't show, Stripe can attempt to process the cancellation fee according to your HUSL settings.

Quick summary

Client books online
↓
HUSL sends the card securely through Stripe
↓
Stripe uses SetupIntent to check the card
↓
No money is charged or held
↓
Client attends → No cancellation fee
OR
Client late cancels/no-shows → Stripe attempts to charge the cancellation fee
↓
If Stripe can't process it → Client receives an email with a payment link

💡 Helpful tip

Think of SetupIntent as peace of mind for your business.

You can have a cancellation policy backed by a secure payment method without charging your clients upfront or having their bank temporarily hold the cancellation fee.

Need help? Email indiesupport@husl.io