Centers in the United States processing payments with RG-Stripe Connect may be eligible to offer buyers the options of Apple Pay, Google Pay, and automated bank debit (ACH).
Overview
The Retreat Guru RMS supports two payment flows: Online Payment and Other Payment.
RG-Stripe Connect is a custom integration that provides the most robust payment connection for Retreat Guru RMS clients. For centers in the United States using RG-Stripe Connect, Online Payment options include credit cards and may include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and automated bank debit.
Automated bank debit is commonly referred to as ACH in the United States.
Automated bank debit transactions typically have significantly lower processing fees than credit cards, but they may take 1 - 3 business days to process.
With the Automated Bank Debits feature, that payment method can be enabled for all programs, and the default may be overridden for a specific program. It can also be enabled for all rentals, but the default can not be overridden for a specific rental.
The Payment Processing Fee feature enables centers to offset payment processing costs by adding a percentage fee payable by the guest.
To address a common scenario, the software can be configured to apply the Fee to credit card payments on program registrations but not to automated bank debit payments associated with rental agreements. This approach requires some manual steps.
Retreat Guru payment flows
Retreat Guru software offers two payment flows: Online Payment and Other Payment.
For US centers using RG-Stripe Connect, automated bank debit may be available as an Online Payment option. Previously, Other Payment was referred to as Alternative Payment.
Online payment
Online Payment encompasses credit card and automated bank debit transactions.
Retreat Guru recommends RG-Stripe Connect for payment processing. This custom integration offers the most robust payment connection. For centers in the United States, RG-Stripe Connect offers options like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and automated bank debits.
In the context of RG-Stripe Connect, the Automated Bank Debits feature allows buyers to transfer money from their personal or business bank account to your center’s account. For example, a renter may remit their Rental deposit via automated bank debit, and a guest may select automated bank debit as their payment method for a Program registration.
To find out if the Automated Bank Debits feature is available for your Retreat Guru RMS software, contact the Retreat Guru Customer Success Team at support@retreat.guru
When the Automated Bank Debits feature is enabled, you can configure the default behavior at Settings > Finance > Automated Bank Debits.
For Rentals, you may set the default to disable/enable Automated Bank Debits. This is a global setting ‒ you can not override it at the Rental level.
For Programs, you may set the default to disable/enable, and you can override this setting for a specific program at (Edit Program) > Registration > Advanced Options > Automated Bank Debit Payments.
The image below shows a sample RG-Stripe Connect payment section on the registration form. In this example, the ACH option is displayed as “US bank account.” The description associated with the ACH option may be different for your account.
Refunds
Automated bank debit refunds are processed like a typical credit card refund, although it may take longer.
Micro deposits
Sometimes, the Stripe automated bank debit process may require a micro deposit. A micro deposit is a bank account verification method used to confirm that a bank account truly belongs to the person or business connecting it, such as when accepting automated bank debit (ACH) payments.
When a micro deposit is required, Stripe sends two very small deposits (each typically less than $1.00 USD or €1.00 EUR) to the buyer’s linked bank account. Each deposit includes either a unique code (like “SM123”) or a random amount (for example $0.16 and $0.27). The account owner later reports these to Stripe to prove they can access the bank account.
Once verified, Stripe confirms ownership and completes the bank-debit processing.
If a micro deposit is required, Stripe provides clear instructions for the buyer during the payment process.
This diagram from Stripe illustrates the micro deposit process.
Other payment
Other Payment encompasses everything that is not an online payment. Cash, check, debit card, PayPal, Interac, voucher, and write-off are examples. Previously in Retreat Guru, Other Payment was referred to as Alternative Payment.
Only one Other Payment may be configured. You can customize the label and help text associated with Other Payment.
Other Payment is associated with the transaction category Other Payment and the fund method Alternative. These associations may not be changed.
Other Payment is configured globally in Settings > Other Payment.
Here’s a sample registration form using the global default configured for Other Payment.
The Other Payment setting may be overridden for a program at (Edit Program) > Registration > Advanced Options.
Offset online payment processing fees
The Payment Processing Fee feature enables you to offset your payment processing costs by adding a percentage fee payable by the guest. It is configured globally at Settings > Finance > Payment Processing Fee.
The Fee must be a percentage, and only one value can be configured. You can not define different Fees for different payment options.
Programs
You can configure an opt-in checkbox to appear on the registration form, with a default of checked or unchecked. (See the image above.) If the default is unchecked, the buyer can check the box to help offset some of your payment processing costs.
If the Fee is enabled, and the buyer selects Online Payment, the Fee is applied on the registration form and shown on the guest statement.
This behavior applies to program registrations, guest payments, and card-on-file charges. If you are processing payments via RG-Stripe Connect, and the Automated Bank Debits feature is enabled, the Fee will only be applied if the buyer chooses Online Payment > Card. It will not apply if the buyer chooses any other option, like Online Payment > Google Pay, or Online Payment > US bank account (ACH).
This behavior does not apply to Rentals. More about that in the next section below.
Here’s a sample RG-Stripe Connect payment section on the registration form.
Rentals
The payment processing fee behavior is different for Rentals - it is not the same behavior as for Programs.
When configuring the Fee at Settings > Finance > Payment Processing Fee, you may Apply the payment processing fee to rental agreements.
The ability for the renter to opt in/out is not available.
Suppose the Fee feature is enabled for Rentals. In that case, the Fee is automatically applied to the renter’s deposit regardless of the payment method selected. It will apply if the renter selects Online Payment or Other Payment.
A sample configuration for programs and rentals
A typical scenario is to enable automated bank debit (like ACH) payments for the initial rental deposit and subsequent payments by the renter, but not allow it for guest registration payments. In this scenario, the preference for guest registration payments is credit cards.
To configure this approach,
At Settings > Finance > Automated Bank Debits,
- Enable Automated Bank Debits for Rentals
- Disable Automated Bank Debits for Programs
At Settings > Finance > Payment Processing Fee, do not check the box next to Apply payment processing fee to rental agreements.
Include language in your quote and confirmation email explaining that an additional fee will be applied if the renter pays via credit card. Although this fee will not be automatically applied at the time of payment, your registrar can manually add the fee to the renter’s statement.
At (Edit Program) > Registration > Advanced Options > Automated Bank Debit Payments, choose Use Default (in Settings). Since you configured the default in Settings to be disabled, automated bank debit will be disabled for this program.
With the configuration described in this section, if the renter chooses Online Payment > Automated Bank Debit as their payment method for the rental deposit, the Payment Processing Fee will not be applied.
If the Renter chose Automated Bank Debit when making their initial deposit to accept the rental agreement, their preference will be automatically copied to their registration for the program. Your registrar may charge the renter’s additional payments on that registration via automated bank debit. The payment processing fee will not be applied on these automated bank debit payments.
Additional information
Automated bank debit
Automated bank debit is a generic, globally-accepted reference to a payment automatically withdrawn (“debited”) from your bank account when triggered or on a schedule ‒ regardless of the network (ACH, SEPA, BACS, etc.)
Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) applies to the European Union, EEA, and a few associated countries (e.g., Switzerland). It standardizes electronic payments in euros (EUR) across participating countries. It offers near real-time settlement, usually same day or next day.
Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services (BACS) applies to the United Kingdom. It standardizes domestic automated payments and collections in British pounds (GBP) between UK banks. Timing is usually 3 working days (submission, processing, settlement).
SEPA and BACS are not currently supported by the RG-Stripe Connect integration.
What is ACH?
Automated Clearing House (ACH) is a USA-based electronic network that processes payments and money transfers between banks. It falls within the broad category of automated bank debit.
In the context of payment processing, ACH payments refer to transactions that move funds directly from one bank account to another. Examples:
- Direct deposits (e.g., payroll)
- Bill payments
- Business-to-business (B2B) payments
- Person-to-person (P2P) transfers
ACH uses a batch-processing network operated by the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA).
NACHA sets the rules, standards, and security frameworks that financial institutions and payment processors must follow to ensure safe and efficient electronic funds transfers across the ACH network.
ACH payments typically have significantly lower processing fees than credit cards, but they may take 1 - 3 business days to process. They’re commonly used for recurring billing or high-ticket transactions.
How does ACH differ from peer-to-peer services?
ACH, eTransfer, Zelle, and Venmo all move money electronically (online), but they differ significantly in region, infrastructure, speed, and user experience.
eTransfer (in Canada) operates through Interac, a banking network, not a payment service. The buyer’s email or phone number triggers a transfer between Canadian bank accounts in near real-time. It’s often free for individuals, but may have small fees depending on the bank.
In Canada, alternatives to eTransfer (Interac) include Wealthsimple Cash, KOHO, and Wise.
Zelle is bank-native. It’s built into many USA banking apps and doesn’t require a separate wallet. It is used to move money near real-time between linked bank accounts using email or phone numbers. Fund transfers are bank-to-bank, but outside of the ACH process. It’s free for consumers through most banks.
Other Zelle-like service platforms in the USA that allow fast, bank-linked peer-to-peer payments, often using email or phone numbers, include Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Apple Cash, Google Pay, and Facebook Pay.
International peer-to-peer services include Wise, Revolut, Remitly, and WorldRemit.
Services like Venmo and Cash App operate as separate platforms and may have additional features like crypto or social elements. Privacy and limits vary.
Zelle offers no buyer protection, while PayPal and Venmo do.
Apple Pay offers a mobile wallet for international in-store, online, and peer-to-peer payments. It’s only available on Apple devices. It’s linked to credit/debit cards and an Apple Cash account. It offers near-instant (to Wallet) and 1 - 3 days (to bank) transfers. It’s free for Apple Cash via debit and has a nominal fee for instant transfers to a bank.
The RG-Stripe Connect integration for Online Payment generally does not support peer-to-peer services. However, you may be able to use Other Payment to facilitate these options.
It’s nice for your guests to have options. Automated bank debits may also save you processing fees. It's a win-win!
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