How to Protect Your Rental from Costly Chargebacks

If you’re in the short-term rental game long enough, you’ll hear the term “chargeback.” And while it’s not the most glamorous topic, understanding how to prevent and handle chargebacks can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.

A chargeback occurs when a guest disputes a charge with their credit card company, and the funds are pulled back from your account. When you’re hosting through an OTA like Airbnb, they’re the merchant of record—meaning they handle chargebacks. But if you book through Vrbo, Furnished Finder, or direct, you are the merchant of record, and it’s your responsibility to respond.

In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette cover:

Why chargebacks happen:
– Fraudulent bookings with stolen credit cards
– Guests claiming the property wasn’t as advertised
– Post-stay disputes over amenities or service issues

How to prevent them:

1. Screen last-minute bookings carefully.
2. Match ID to credit card name.
3. Watch for multiple payment methods.
4. Take note of evasive communication or pushy booking requests.
5. Have a strong guest agreement and house rules.
6. Perform thorough pre-arrival inspections.
7. Create SOPs for conflict resolution.

What to do if one happens:
Act quickly—payment processors give you a short window to dispute. Gather evidence like signed agreements, communication logs, and lock code usage. Stay factual, concise, and professional in your response. While winning can be rare, persistence pays off, and appealing is always worth trying.

Chargebacks aren’t fun, but they’re part of doing business. The key is preparation—knowing the signs, having processes in place, and not letting fear stop you from diversifying your booking channels. and why. Whether we stuck to our policy or decided to bend the rules, each example is meant to help you think through how you want to approach these tricky situations in your own business.

Download a transcript of this episode.

Resources:

• Stripe – Payment processor used for direct bookings and OTAs like Vrbo and Furnished Finder.
• Furnished Finder – A popular platform for finding mid-term tenants.

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@hidden.alpine.lodge

Hidden Alpine Lodge is the Colorado mountain escape you’ve been dreaming about. Owned by Jake and Brittany, this cozy cabin is the result of a lifelong dream brought to life—and they’ve poured their hearts into every detail.

Nestled in the woods with breathtaking alpine views, it’s the kind of place where mornings start with coffee on the deck and end by the fire under a sky full of stars. What we especially love? Jake and Brittany’s knack for storytelling through Instagram Reels. Their feed is a goldmine of inspiration for hosts—showcasing the lodge in every season, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, and bringing their guests right into the heart of mountain life.

If you’re craving a Colorado getaway wrapped in charm, follow @HiddenAlpineLodge and start planning your stay.

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