You can secure a Flexiestays apartment by paying 25% of the total when you book, and the rest is taken closer to your stay. The option is offered at checkout on flexiestays.com for stays with a check-in date up to six months away. It spreads the cost of a trip without holding the dates any less firmly than a full payment would.
Here is how it works in practice, what the conditions are, and how to avoid the one thing that can go wrong.
Who can use it
The 25% option appears at checkout when your stay qualifies. Two things decide that:
- How far ahead you book. Check-in must be no more than six months from the day you book. If your trip is further away, you can still book it now, but you pay in full.
- How soon you arrive. Very short-notice bookings, with check-in only a few days away, are paid in full at the time of booking, because there is no time left to collect a second payment.
Longer stays can have their own payment arrangements. A monthly booking is billed month by month, in advance, and some long stays can take a deposit up front with the balance closer to check-in. Where that applies, it is shown at checkout. The long-stay guide has the detail.
What happens when you book
- Choose your apartment and dates on flexiestays.com.
- At checkout, pick the option to pay 25% now. The screen shows the amount due today, the balance, and the date the balance will be taken.
- Pay through the Stripe checkout by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or one of the other methods listed.
- Your booking is confirmed straight away for Instant Book apartments, and the confirmation email repeats the amounts and dates.
Nothing about the stay itself changes. Your arrival instructions still arrive three days before check-in, and the apartment is still yours from 3pm on the day.
When the balance is taken
The balance is collected automatically before arrival, on the due date shown at checkout. The help centre sets that date at one month before check-in, but the exact dates for your booking are the ones on your checkout screen and confirmation, so go by those.
You do not have to wait. If it suits you to clear the balance early, you can.
If the balance payment fails
Cards expire and banks block payments they do not expect. If the automatic charge does not go through, Flexiestays emails you a secure checkout link to complete it, and the team follows up to help.
If you cannot pay in time, talk to the team before the deadline. They can agree an extension, a different payment method or a change to the booking. What you should not do is let the date pass in silence: a booking that is not paid by the deadline, with no agreement in place, may be cancelled, and the 25% may not be refunded.
Guests say the team is easy to reach when something needs sorting:
“Ease of booking. Great communication with the team.” (Paul, Trustpilot)
Cancelling a part-paid booking
Cancellation terms depend on the rate you choose and the length of stay, and the exact terms for your booking are shown at checkout before you pay. Read them on that screen, because they are the ones that apply. Refunds go back to the method you paid with. The help centre article on the guest cancellation policy explains how refunds on staged payments are worked out.
Paying safely
Every payment for a Flexiestays stay goes through the Flexiestays website and its Stripe checkout. The team never asks for cash or a bank transfer outside it. In rare cases support may send you an alternative payment link, and you should only use one that comes from an official Flexiestays number or email address. If anything about a payment request looks wrong, call the team first. The guide on how to spot a genuine holiday let lists the other warning signs.
Why guests use it
The 25% option suits anyone who wants to fix the dates now and pay later: a summer holiday booked in spring, a stay around the Bournemouth Air Festival in August when apartments go early, or a family trip where the cost is shared. It also helps on longer stays, where the total is larger and cash flow matters more.
It is a direct-booking feature, one of the reasons guests book on flexiestays.com rather than through a marketplace. See why book direct with Flexiestays for the rest, or read what guests say about value for money.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much to book? | 25% of the total |
| Which stays? | Check-in up to six months ahead, not very short notice |
| When is the balance taken? | Automatically before arrival, on the date shown at checkout |
| Can I pay early? | Yes |
| How do I pay? | Through the Flexiestays website and Stripe checkout only |
| What if it fails? | A secure payment link by email, and the team follows up |
The full terms are in the Flexiestays help centre under pay 25% now and the balance later.
Planning a stay in Bournemouth? Book on flexiestays.com with the team that runs the apartments, and pay 25% to secure your dates.
Check availabilityWhat guests say about value
More reviewsWe had a great stay here with Jon and Flexistays. Jon was super responsive and helpful. The apartment was clean, the only problem was the rug was very hairy, but when we told Jon about this, he and the team immediately responded and cleaned. They provided washing machine tablets on request as well. Very good value for money, good location for the sea front, with some really nice restaurants and a small Nisa just down the road. Would definitely consider staying again.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended, will stay again! I recently stayed here and was very impressed - the room was spotlessly clean and nicely presented. Toiletries were provided, which was a nice touch. The room had a fan, fridge and kettle, which made such a difference in this hot weather! It always smelled lovely too. Gym available. The staff were helpful and just a phone call away whenever I needed anything. Great value and I'd definitely come back to this hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay only 25% when I book Flexiestays?
Yes, on flexiestays.com, for stays with check-in up to six months ahead that are not booked at very short notice. You pay a quarter of the total at checkout and the balance is collected before you arrive.
When is the rest of the money taken?
The balance is collected automatically before arrival. The exact amounts and due dates for your booking are shown at checkout and in your confirmation, and you can pay the balance early if you prefer.
What if the balance payment fails?
You are emailed a secure link to complete the payment and the team follows up to help. If you cannot pay on time, contact them before the deadline to agree an extension or another arrangement.
Is the 25% refundable if I cancel?
It depends on the rate and when you cancel. The exact terms for your booking are shown at checkout before you pay, and again in your confirmation email.