Help
The questions we get asked most. If yours isn't here, message us.
Booking
What is the difference between instant book and request to book?
Instant book confirms as soon as you pay. Request to book means the host reviews your request first — your dates are held while they decide, and you are not charged until they accept. If they decline or do not reply in time, the dates are released and nothing is taken.
When am I charged?
For instant bookings, when you complete payment. For requests, only after the host accepts. Cash bookings are never charged online — you pay the host directly on arrival.
Can I pay in cash?
On listings where the host has opted in, yes. You will see "Cash on arrival" as an option. Nothing is due online and the full amount is settled with your host when you get there.
How do I cancel?
Open the booking under My trips and choose Cancel. Before you confirm, we show exactly what refund is due under the cancellation policy you agreed to when booking.
Payment
What can I pay with?
Card via Paystack, charged in ZAR, or Ecocash, OneMoney and Paynow, charged in USD. Vakacha never sees or stores your card or mobile-money details — payment happens on the gateway’s own secure checkout.
Why does my dates hold expire?
So a booking that is never paid for does not keep a property off the market. The deadline is shown on your booking, and you get an email when a request is approved.
Hosting
How much does it cost to list?
Nothing to list. We take a commission on confirmed bookings only — the rate depends on your tier and is shown in your host dashboard.
How do I get paid?
For online bookings we hold the guest payment and pay you on your payout schedule, less commission. For cash bookings you keep the money and the commission is invoiced to you instead.
How long do I have to answer a request?
Twenty-four hours by default. After that the request expires automatically and the dates go back on sale.