Do I have to pay in full when I reserve a chalet?

To lock in a chalet, you pay the full amount for your stay the moment you reserve. This is our standard policy and is non-negotiable — there's no installment plan or pay-on-arrival option. Paying in full is also what makes the booking instant: once payment clears on the booking page, the dates are confirmed and the live calendar updates immediately, so no one can take the chalet out from under you. A confirmation email arrives right away, with self check-in details following before arrival. Coordinating several chalets for a group? Our team walks you through payment across multiple properties — reach out via the group page.

Don't confuse your stay payment with the security deposit. The $500 security deposit is not part of your booking total and is not charged when you reserve — it's only authorized (a temporary hold) on your credit card on check-in day, then released about 7 business days after departure, provided there's no damage or policy violation. So at booking you pay the rental amount only; the deposit hold comes later, at arrival. This is standard for whole-home rentals and protects the property without adding to your upfront cost. See it alongside other terms on the FAQ page.

Because you commit the full amount upfront, know the refund terms before booking. Cancel more than 30 days before arrival and you get 93% back; cancel 14 to 30 days out and you get 43%; a non-refundable $75 administration fee and card transaction fees come off either way. Given you pay in full at booking, travel insurance is worth considering — particularly for group trips where several households have paid in. Full details are on our cancellation policy page, and you can always reach us through contact before you commit.