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FAQ: Instant deposits

Understanding HoneyBook's instant deposits feature to get paid even faster

Updated over a week ago

Instant deposits help ensure you receive payments as quickly when completed through smart files. This feature allows you to transfer money from completed payments to your debit card, rather than waiting traditional processing times for the funds to become available.

📣 Note

Only payments made through a smart file qualify for instant deposits. If a payment is completed through a lead form, payments will take 5–7 business days to process to your bank account.


How do instant deposits work?

Instant deposits use a system that moves money from a client's payment card to your debit card. Instead of waiting 2-3 business days for the money to arrive, it usually takes only 24 hours (or even as little as 30 minutes).


How much does using instant deposits cost?

Fees for each instant deposit will be displayed in the Payments screen, and include:

  • 1% of the total payment amount, with a $5 minimum

  • The existing transaction fees charged for processing card payments


How long will it take to get my payment?

Payments through instant deposit typically appear in the associated bank account within 24 hours (and often, in as little as 30 minutes)!

Sometimes HoneyBook might notice something suspicious and hold the payment temporarily. We do this to protect members and their clients from fraudulent charges, and it may cause a delay in these estimated processing times. It doesn't happen often, but if you don't receive your payment within 24 hours after processing an instant deposit, contact the Support team at [email protected].


What is the minimum and maximum payments for instant deposits?

  • Minimum payments of $10 USD

  • Maximum payments of $4,999


Are instant deposits affected by bank holidays?

No! Payments through instant deposit typically appear in the associated bank account within 24 hours, regardless of the date.


Why do I need to enter my debit card information?

Instant deposit uses debit rails in order to deposit funds into your account faster. Your debit card info allows payments to flow easily from your clients’ card directly to your bank account via these debit rails.


What payments are not eligible for instant deposit?

  • Payments made through ACH/bank transfer

  • Payments made outside of HoneyBook are not eligible for immediate deposit

  • Payments completed outside of smart files

If you have chosen to receive a payment through instant deposit in advance and the client pays through a bank transfer, it will take the standard time for bank transfers (around 7-8 business days) and you will not be charged the 1% fee for instant deposit.


Can bank transfers be instantly deposited?

Payments that clients make via ACH bank transfer cannot be instantly deposited, as the instant deposit feature is a card-to-card transaction.


Why did a payment say it was eligible for instant deposit, but I’m unable to select it?

Usually this means your payment is already on its way to you. Payments that are sent to your bank account typically begin processing within about 24 hours of being received if instant deposit wasn't available. Once this process starts, it usually takes 2-3 business days for card payments and 7-8 business days for ACH/bank transfers to fully deposit into your account.

One way to ensure you're able to receive your payment through instant deposit is to select this option prior to the payment being completed. Along with this, HoneyBook sends you a notification as soon as a payment that qualifies for instant deposit is made so you can review and select the instant deposit option at that time.


What happens if my instant deposit fails?

If for any reason we cannot process your instant deposit request, your payment will process within HoneyBook's standard payment processing times. In this case, you will not be able to re-process the deposit as an instant payout.


Can I start an instant deposit from the app?

You sure can! As soon as a payment comes in, you can head into your app's notification center, where you'll be able to see if the payment is instant deposit eligible. If it is, just tap the notification to start the process!


Why don't I see instant deposits on my account?

The instant deposits feature is currently only open to members who have been receiving payments through HoneyBook for at least 6 weeks.

A little newer to HoneyBook? You won’t see instant deposits in your account just yet, but hang tight—HoneyBook let you know as soon as you’re eligible for this feature!


Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!

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