Why should I charge a pet fee, and how much impact can it have?
Pet fees can help cover extra cleaning, wear and tear, and the added complexity of managing pet-friendly stays. While not all hosts choose to charge them, they can be a valuable revenue stream. One account with around 75 listings generated over $7,000 in pet fees — proving that, when done right, they can have a significant financial impact.
What’s the main challenge with charging pet fees?
Many hosts list pet fees in their policies, but guests either ignore them or don’t declare their pets. As a result, fees are often skipped entirely, which leads to unfair costs for the host.
How can I ensure pet fees are fairly and effectively charged?
The key is building the pet fee into the guest experience so it can’t be skipped. With the Enso Connect Boarding Pass, guests are asked to enter the number of pets as part of their check-in process. If they forget there's a fee, this question prompts them to disclose it. Based on their answer, the system automatically requests a credit card and charges the correct amount. Guests can’t later go back and change the number of pets, which encourages honesty and ensures proper collection.
How do I set up automated pet fees in Enso Connect?
Go into a listing (or a group of pet-friendly listings), create a Pet Fee, and set the price. You can apply it across all properties or to specific ones. Add a description explaining why the fee exists, and use conditions if needed — such as charging only if more than two pets are declared. In your verification settings, require guests to input the number of pets.
What are the benefits of this approach?
This setup makes the process clear, fair, and automated — removing awkward conversations while ensuring fees are collected consistently. It also unlocks a potential revenue stream of $100+ per listing.