Sending a payment link should be the easiest way to secure a booking, so seeing an error message pop up - either on your screen or for your guest - can feel a little stressful.
Please breathe easy! Payment link errors are usually caused by something very simple, like a link expiring, an extra character accidentally slipping into the web address, or a booking that was recently cancelled.
Here is a clear, reassuring guide to why payment link errors happen, how long links stay active, and how to get things sorted in just a few quick steps.
How long are payment links valid?
NightsBridge payment links are valid for a few days, giving your guests plenty of time to settle their stay without leaving payment details open indefinitely.Because security settings are updated from time to time to protect your business and your guests, validity periods can vary. It is always a good idea to encourage guests to complete their payment as soon as possible after receiving their link.
What happens if a link expires?
If a payment link expires before your guest gets a chance to pay, please don't worry! Expired links simply deactivate for safety. You can easily generate a fresh link from the booking details and pop it straight back across to them.
The 4 common payment link errors (and how to fix them)
What it means: The web address contains incorrect or jumbled characters, which prevents NightsBridge from recognising the payment request. This usually happens if the link was copied partially or an extra character was added when pasting.
How to fix it:
- Ask the guest to check that they are opening the complete link without any missing letters or extra spaces.
- If it still doesn't open, generate a fresh payment link for the booking.
- Send the new link to the guest and ask them to try again.
What it means: The specific web page your guest is trying to reach cannot be found. This generally occurs when a link is incomplete, cut short in an email or message, or slightly modified.
How to fix it:
- Check that the entire web link was copied and shared without being cut off.
- If the link was sent via SMS or messaging, ensure the whole address is clickable.
- If the error continues, generate a new payment link and send it across to your guest.
What this error means: The link worked perfectly when you created it, but its time limit has run out. NightsBridge payment links are generally valid for a few days to keep transactions safe and secure.
How to fix it:
- Generate a fresh link: Open the reservation on your calendar and create a new payment link for the booking.
- Send it across to your guest: Pop the new link over to them via email, WhatsApp, or SMS.
- Give them a friendly nudge: Encourage your guest to complete their payment as soon as possible so the new link doesn't run out of time.
What it means: NightsBridge couldn't retrieve the booking details to process the payment. In most cases, this happens because the booking linked to the payment has been cancelled or is no longer active on your calendar.
How to fix it:
- Locate the reservation in your NightsBridge calendar.
- Check whether the booking is still active.
- If the booking was cancelled:
- If it should stay cancelled: The original payment link can no longer be used.
- If the guest still wants to stay: Reinstate the booking first, then generate a new payment link.
- If the booking is already active and shows normally, generate a fresh payment link and send it to your guest.