Online check-in for
vacation rentals

Online check-in is an automated process where guests complete their arrival requirements digitally before they arrive at your property. Instead of meeting guests in person or sending manual instructions, the system automatically sends a check-in link where guests can review house rules, sign your rental agreement or waiver, and receive access codes or lockbox instructions. This saves hosts 15-30 minutes per booking and eliminates scheduling conflicts.

With DirectBookings, self check-in works in 3 steps: (1) 48 hours before arrival, the guest automatically receives an email with their check-in link. (2) Guest clicks the link, reviews house rules, signs your rental agreement digitally, and confirms their arrival details. (3) After completing the form, they receive access instructions (door code, lockbox location, key pickup details). You get notified when they complete check-in. No manual work from you.

Yes. DirectBookings includes a digital rental agreement feature. You create your rental terms once, and every guest automatically receives them as part of the check-in process. Guests must review and digitally sign before receiving access instructions. This gives you a signed legal agreement for every booking without printing, scanning, or in-person meetings. Agreements are stored in your dashboard and tied to each booking.

You can collect: guest names (all guests, not just the booker), phone numbers, expected arrival time, vehicle registration (useful for parking), ID verification, emergency contact information, and any custom questions you need. All responses are stored with the booking record. You can also require guests to acknowledge specific house rules (quiet hours, no smoking, pet policies) before they get access.

No — they complement each other. Online check-in handles the administrative side (agreements, registration, instructions). Smart locks handle physical access. You can use online check-in with any access method: smart locks, lockboxes, key safes, or even in-person key handoff. DirectBookings sends whatever access instructions you configure — a door code, lockbox combination, or pickup location.

Most hosts save 15-30 minutes per booking by automating check-in. This includes time previously spent: sending manual instructions (5 min), answering 'how do I get in' messages (5-10 min), coordinating arrival times (5-10 min), and meeting guests for key handoff (15-30 min). For hosts with 50+ bookings per year, that's 12-25 hours saved annually — equivalent to 2-3 full working days.

DirectBookings sends automatic reminders if a guest hasn't completed check-in 24 hours before arrival. You also see the check-in status in your dashboard so you can follow up manually if needed. Most guests complete check-in within minutes of receiving the link. If a guest truly can't complete the digital process, you can manually send access instructions as a fallback.

For most hosts, yes. Self check-in eliminates scheduling conflicts (late flights, traffic delays), removes geographic constraints (you don't need to live near the property), and reduces the risk of guests arriving when you're unavailable. Guests also prefer it — 78% of travelers prefer contactless check-in according to hotel industry surveys. The exception is luxury properties where a personal welcome adds value to the experience.

DirectBookings online check-in works for bookings made on your direct website. For Airbnb and VRBO bookings, you can manually send the check-in link to guests via Airbnb/VRBO messaging, or include it in your automated check-in instructions on those platforms. This gives you signed rental agreements and guest registration even for OTA bookings.

DirectBookings includes online check-in with all plans: $9/month for 1 property, $29/month for up to 5 properties, or $79/month for up to 10 properties. Includes automated emails, digital rental agreements, guest registration forms, custom house rules acknowledgment, and access code delivery. No per-booking fees, no additional charges.