How do I connect Stripe, and why can't I use Venmo or PayPal?

To connect Stripe:

• Go to Integrations in your dashboard.
• Find the Stripe integration card and click Connect or Connect Stripe.
• Sign in to an existing Stripe account, or create one.
• Complete Stripe's required business, bank, and identity verification steps. It usually takes about 5 minutes.
• When Stripe sends you back to Mallard Bay, confirm the Stripe card shows as connected.

You can call or text Mallard Bay at (225) 577-5397 if you get stuck.

Why Stripe instead of Venmo or PayPal?

Mallard Bay uses Stripe because it supports the full booking and payment workflow, including:

• Secure online card and bank payments
• Payment links and checkout flows tied to bookings
• Automated payment tracking in the dashboard
• Refund and payment records connected to the customer and booking
• Reliable business payment processing and reporting

Venmo and PayPal are not connected payment processors inside Mallard Bay's booking system, so they won't tie payments back to bookings, balances, reporting, or customer records the way Stripe does. If you still take Venmo or PayPal outside the platform, you'll need to track those manually; for bookings made through Mallard Bay, Stripe is the supported processor.

Connecting Stripe only covers guest payments and payouts to you, things like deposits, balances, and Quick Pay links moving to your connected payout account. It's separate from Mallard Bay's own software subscription bill, which is not paid out of that same connected Stripe account.