Card-on-File · Auto-Charge

NO-SHOW FEES FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS

Clients save a card when they book. They don't turn up — the fee charges automatically. The simplest way for PTs to stop losing $80, $100, $120 every time someone bails.

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How it works

Three steps. Built into the booking flow — not a separate workflow you have to remember.

1

Client books

They pick a time on your booking link, save a card, and confirm. Card details are stored with Stripe — never with PT Pro. $0 is charged today.

2

You mark the session

After the session, mark it attended or no-show. One tap from your dashboard or phone.

3

Fee charges automatically

If marked no-show, the fee charges to the saved card via Stripe. Receipt emailed to the client. Money in your account.

Why card-on-file beats upfront deposits

Two ways PTs typically protect against no-shows: charge a deposit upfront, or save a card and only charge if they bail. Both work — but card-on-file converts better.

An upfront deposit is friction at the worst possible moment. A new client clicking your booking link is comparing you to three other trainers. The one who asks for $0 today wins. PT Pro's card-on-file flow shows them the no-show fee clearly — so they understand the commitment — but only takes payment if they don't show up.

The other reason: trust. A client who has booked once and been treated fairly (you marked the cancellation correctly, no surprise charges) becomes a repeat client. A client who paid upfront and felt nickel-and-dimed often doesn't come back.

What no-shows actually cost

Sample math for a typical AU PT. Adjust the numbers to your own setup.

Sessions per week
25
Average session price (AUD)
$80
No-show rate (industry avg)
8%
No-shows per week
2
Lost revenue per year, no protection
~$8,320
Recovered with card-on-file
~$8,320

Based on 52 weeks/year, charging 100% of session price on no-show. Even at 50% recovery, the math still pays for PT Pro 24x over.

What's different about PT Pro's setup

Plenty of booking tools have card-on-file as a feature. The difference is how tightly it's integrated:

Frequently asked questions

How do no-show fees work in PT Pro?
Clients save a card when they book. The card isn't charged at booking. After the session, you mark it attended (nothing happens) or no-show (the fee charges automatically through Stripe). Clients see the no-show amount upfront before they confirm, so it's never a surprise.
How much should I charge for a no-show?
Most PTs charge 50–100% of the session price. PT Pro lets you set the fee per booking page or per package. The most common setup is 100% of the session price for late cancellations within 12–24 hours, lower or zero for cancellations earlier than that.
Will clients be unhappy about saving a card?
In practice, no. The booking flow shows clearly that $0 is charged at booking and the card is only charged if they don't turn up. PTs who switch to card-on-file consistently report clients accept it without pushback — it's the same as a hairdresser, dentist, or restaurant deposit.
What if a client genuinely had to cancel?
You decide. The fee only charges if you mark the session no-show. Mark it cancelled within your policy and nothing is charged. The trainer always has final say.
What payment processor does PT Pro use?
PT Pro uses Stripe for card-on-file and no-show fee charging. Stripe is PCI-compliant and the same processor used by Shopify, Atlassian and Canva — your client's card details never touch our servers.

Stop losing money to no-shows

Try every Pro feature free for 14 days — no credit card required. Set up card-on-file no-show fees in under 5 minutes.

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