Quick answers about trials, plan changes, and onboarding.
Is there a free trial? Do I need a credit card?
Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial — no credit card required. You get full access to your chosen plan tier from day one. After the trial, you choose to continue or cancel with no obligation.
Can I upgrade or downgrade later?
Yes, at any time from your hotel admin. Upgrades are immediate; downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing period. There are no lock-in contracts.
Is WhatsApp included in every plan? What do I need to set it up?
Yes — WhatsApp booking automation is included in all Partner Plans (Starter, Growth, Pro, Enterprise). You connect your own WhatsApp Cloud API number via Meta Business. ChatStay then handles the booking assistant, in-stay services, and review requests automatically. No extra cost for WhatsApp — it runs on your own Meta account.
I already use another PMS — can I just be listed on ChatStay?
Absolutely. Use a Marketplace Listing Plan instead of a Partner Plan. Marketplace Basic gives you a property page with inquiry/manual booking handling. Marketplace Connected adds API or channel-manager sync so availability and bookings flow directly into your existing software — no migration required.
Do I need to run my full hotel on ChatStay, or can I use just parts of it?
You can start with exactly what you need. Use only WhatsApp automation and basic reservations on Starter. Add restaurant and housekeeping on Growth. Activate advanced reporting and AI automation on Pro. Or just use the Marketplace Listing plans if you want exposure without touching your existing PMS. You don't have to use every module.
What happens after I finish onboarding?
Your workspace is live immediately after you create it. Connect your WhatsApp number in Settings, open your availability calendar, test a booking end-to-end, then invite your team. Most hotels are fully operational within a day. Your trial clock starts from account creation — not from when you go live.
Will my staff need training?
Most teams are live the same day. Front desk, housekeeping, and restaurant staff each get a focused workspace with only the tabs relevant to their role. Growth and Pro plans include access to our onboarding guides; Enterprise includes dedicated onboarding sessions with a named CSM.
What about payments and invoicing?
ChatStay supports cash, card, Stripe, and Thawani out of the box. Guest folios are settled at checkout and invoices are generated automatically. Outstanding balances appear on the front-desk dashboard in real time.
Can I migrate from another PMS?
Yes. Growth, Pro, and Enterprise plans include guided data import — rooms, rates, guest profiles, and future bookings. Our team handles the migration so you can switch without losing existing reservations.