Frequently asked questions
The short version: guests pay no fees, payments go straight to hosts, and hosts keep 100% of every booking.
Booking & paying
Does Overlnd charge booking or service fees?▾
No. You pay exactly the price the host sets — Overlnd adds no service fee, and your payment goes directly to the host. Overlnd makes money from optional host subscriptions, not from your booking.
When is my card charged?▾
Your card is saved securely with Stripe when you send a booking request, but it is only charged when the host accepts. If the host doesn't respond before the request expires, nothing is charged.
Can I cancel a booking request?▾
Yes — you can withdraw a pending request any time before the host accepts, free, from your Trips page.
How do cancellations and refunds work?▾
Every listing shows its cancellation policy before you book, and refunds are computed automatically when you cancel:
- Flexible — full refund until 24 hours before check-in.
- Moderate — full refund until 5 days before; 50% until 24 hours before.
- Strict — full refund until 14 days before; 50% until 7 days before.
If a host cancels a confirmed booking, you're always refunded in full.
Is my payment information safe?▾
Card details are handled entirely by Stripe, the same payment processor used by millions of businesses. Overlnd never sees or stores your card number.
Some listings say I can pay in person — how does that work?▾
Hosts whose identity Stripe has verified (they've set up a payout account) can offer in-person payment options (like cash on arrival). The booking still goes through Overlnd — you request, the host accepts, and you pay the host directly using the method shown on the listing. Only ever use the payment methods listed on the booking page.
When can I leave a review?▾
After your booking is completed. Reviews are tied to real stays — only guests who actually booked can review a listing.
Hosting & getting paid
What does hosting cost?▾
Every host pays a one-time $10 activation before their first listing goes live — it includes identity verification and is what keeps fake listings off Overlnd. After that, listing is free (up to 2 listings, 8 photos each) and Overlnd takes 0% commission on your bookings — you keep 100%. The optional Pro plan adds more listings and photos, calendar sync, analytics, a search boost, and your own contact links. See Pricing.
How do I get paid?▾
Through your own Stripe account, which you connect during host onboarding. Guest payments go straight to it — Overlnd never holds your money — and Stripe pays out to your bank on its standard schedule.
A guest disputed a charge (chargeback) — what do I do?▾
Payment disputes are handled in your own Stripe dashboard, because payments go directly to your Stripe account — Stripe notifies you and you respond there. Your evidence is already in your host dashboard: the booking details and dates, your message history with the guest, and their acceptance of your cancellation policy and any rental agreement at booking time. Overlnd never holds your funds and is not a party to the dispute.
Can I accept cash or other offline payment?▾
Yes — once you've set up payouts with Stripe (that's how your identity is verified), you can enable offline payment methods on a listing and collect payment directly from the guest. Accepting cards is optional; the Stripe account is what proves who you are.
Can I import my listing from Airbnb or Vrbo?▾
Yes. Paste your public Airbnb or Vrbo listing URL into the listing wizard and Overlnd prefills your title, description, photos, and amenities. You prove ownership by adding a one-time code to your listing description on the other platform.
Can I sync my calendar with other platforms?▾
Pro hosts can sync availability both ways via iCal with Airbnb, Vrbo, Google Calendar, and anything else that speaks iCal. Note that iCal is not instant: Overlnd refreshes imported feeds on a schedule and other platforms refresh on their own (often every few hours), so there's a short window where the same dates could be booked in two places. Overlnd itself will never double-book a spot on Overlnd, and because bookings are requests, you can decline anything that conflicts.
What about taxes and insurance?▾
You're responsible for your own taxes, permits, and insurance — Overlnd is a booking venue, not a property manager. You can add custom fees and tax lines to your listing so they're collected as part of the booking total.
Can I subscribe to Pro from the mobile app?▾
Plans are bought and managed on overlnd.com — sign in, then go to Host → Subscription. The app shows your current plan and everything that comes with it, and every feature you've paid for works in the app right away; only the purchase, plan changes, and billing live on the website.
What is the Founding Host program?▾
The first 500 hosts to activate their account and publish a listing get Pro free for 12 months and a permanent Founding Host badge on their profile. Once all 500 spots are taken, new hosts start on the regular plans. The $10 activation applies to everyone.
Trust & safety
What does the “Verified host” badge mean?▾
The host's identity was confirmed by Stripe when they set up their payout account — the same checks a bank runs (government ID, tax details, bank account). Overlnd never sees the documents. Every host completes this before their first listing goes live; it's also what unlocks cash and app payments on their listings.
How do I avoid scams?▾
Keep your conversation and booking on Overlnd, and only pay by the methods shown on the booking page — your saved card, or the in-person options a verified host lists. Never wire money, buy gift cards, or pay a "deposit" through a channel the listing doesn't show. If something feels off, report it.
How do I report a listing, review, or user?▾
Use the contact form and choose "Report content or a user", or the report links shown on listings and posts. Our team reviews every report.
Didn't find your answer? Contact us.