Overview

SquadTrip's Trip Builder walks you through creating a trip page, setting up packages, configuring payments, and publishing. The process has 5 main steps -- from naming your trip to going live. Additional optional sections let you add itineraries, registration questions, promo codes, and more. You can save and return to any step at any time.

Getting to the Trip Builder

Log in to your organizer dashboard
Click "Create Trip" or open an existing trip from Trip Management
Click "Edit Trip" to enter the Trip Builder
The left sidebar shows all builder sections

Step 1: Trip Details

Enter your trip name, description, destination, and dates. This is the information travelers see on your trip page.

Step 2: Trip Photos

Upload high-quality images for your trip page. Images display in a 4:3 aspect ratio -- use landscape-oriented photos for best results. You can crop images directly in the uploader to fit the 4:3 frame.

Step 3: Packages

Create one or more packages with names, descriptions, pricing, and room type options. Upload package photos in 4:3 aspect ratio for consistent display.

Trip Builder packages section showing package cards with pricing and room type configuration

Step 4: Group Chat

Enable Group Chat to create a private messaging space for confirmed travelers. Features include:

Real-time messaging
Polls for group decisions
Message reactions
Pinned messages
Automated milestone messages
Daily digest emails

Step 5: Itinerary (Optional)

Add a day-by-day itinerary with activities, descriptions, and images. You can drag and drop items to reorder them within a day, and travelers can download the itinerary as a PDF from the trip page.

Step 6: Configure Payments

Connect your payment gateway and set up payment options:

Setting	Details
Payment Gateways	Connect Stripe (required) and optionally Square
Payment Methods	Toggle Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, and Apple Pay on or off
Payment Plans	Choose Pay in Full, installments, or both per package

Card payments are always enabled. BNPL options (Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay) require Stripe and add a 4% convenience fee to the traveler. BNPL is only available for Pay in Full, not installments. Currency support varies by provider.

Step 7: Publish

Review your trip and click "Publish" to go live. Your trip page becomes accessible to travelers via the link you share.

Important Notes

Save your progress at any time -- the Trip Builder remembers where you left off
You must connect a Stripe account before publishing
Package pricing must be at least $99 to offer installment plans
All payment options and settings are free for organizers
Photos should be landscape-oriented in 4:3 aspect ratio for best display
You can edit any section after publishing without taking the trip offline

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Can't publish the trip	Verify a Stripe account is connected and all required fields are filled.
Images look cropped or distorted	Upload landscape photos. The trip page displays in 4:3 aspect ratio -- portrait photos get cropped.
Package pricing not saving	Ensure you've entered a valid price and clicked Save. Prices must be positive numbers.
Group Chat not appearing for travelers	Group Chat must be enabled in the Trip Builder. It's only visible to confirmed (booked) travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I edit my trip after publishing? A: Yes. You can edit any section of your trip at any time without taking it offline. Changes are reflected immediately on your trip page. Be cautious with pricing changes if travelers have already booked.

Q: Do I need a Stripe account to create a trip? A: You can create and set up a trip without Stripe, but you must connect a Stripe account before publishing. This ensures payments can be processed when travelers book.

Q: How many packages can I add to a trip? A: There's no strict limit on the number of packages. Most organizers create 2-4 packages with different pricing tiers and room configurations to give travelers flexibility.

Q: Can I use Square instead of Stripe as my payment gateway? A: Yes, but you connect one gateway at a time. Stripe is the primary gateway and supports all payment methods (cards, Apple Pay, BNPL). Square is available as a fallback if Stripe restricts your account, but only supports card payments.