WhatsApp does not allow an action button URL to consist solely of a token, so a Mews deep link, like the online check-in link, can't be used as a CTA on its own. Bookboost's workaround combines a static Bookboost-branded prefix with the token, so guests get a personalized link without a raw third-party URL showing in the button.
Before you start
You're adding a Link action button to a WhatsApp template. See WhatsApp Call-to-Action Buttons in Campaign and Template Editor if you haven't set one up yet.
You know which Mews deep link you want to send: online check-in, Navigator homepage, or a self-check-in QR code.
How to set the button URL
Set the Link button's URL field to one of these patterns:
https://app.bookboost.io/{{mews.checkin_link_primary_guest|stripDomainFromUrl}}for the Mews online check-in linkhttps://app.bookboost.io/{{mews.homepage_link_primary_guest|stripDomainFromUrl}}for the Mews Navigator homepagehttps://qr.bookboost.io/{{qr_code(mews.self_checkin_qr_code_data|raw)|stripDomainFromUrl}}for a self-check-in QR code
If your account doesn't have the link shortener active, use https://guest.bookboost.io/ instead of https://app.bookboost.io/.
How it works
Token embedded in a fixed Bookboost URL. The button URL is a static prefix (
https://app.bookboost.io/orhttps://guest.bookboost.io/) followed by the token, so WhatsApp sees a valid static-prefix URL while the token still resolves per recipient.The
stripDomainFromUrlfilter. This filter strips the protocol and domain from the resolved Mews link, so only the path is appended after the Bookboost prefix.Previously blocked, now allowed. This field used to reject any token outright. That restriction has been lifted specifically for Link button URLs that follow the pattern above.
Watch out for URL encoding when pasting
Some editors automatically encode special characters in URLs, which breaks this syntax. After pasting, check that pipe characters (|) and curly braces ({}) were not converted to encoded equivalents (%7C, %7B, %7D). Correct them manually before saving if you see those.
Correct: https://qr.bookboost.io/{{qr_code(mews.self_checkin_qr_code_data|raw)|stripDomainFromUrl}} Broken (encoded): https://qr.bookboost.io/{{qr_code(mews.self_checkin_qr_code_data|raw)|stripDomainFromUrl}}
Common use cases
Guest self-service: Send guests straight to their personal Mews check-in or Navigator homepage link from a WhatsApp CTA.
Self-check-in QR code: Send a scannable check-in QR code as a tappable link.
Known limitations
This workaround only works for Mews tokens that resolve to a full URL, such as the online check-in link or the Mews Navigator homepage link.
A URL field containing only a bare token is still rejected. It must use the static prefix plus the
stripDomainFromUrlfilter pattern shown above.
Common questions
Why can't I just paste the Mews check-in link directly into the button? WhatsApp rejects action button URLs that consist solely of a token. The static Bookboost prefix gives the URL a fixed part WhatsApp accepts, with the token appended after it.
What if my account doesn't use the Bookboost link shortener? Use https://guest.bookboost.io/ as the prefix instead of https://app.bookboost.io/.
My link looks broken after I pasted it. What happened? Check for URL encoding. Some editors convert | to %7C and {} to %7B/%7D. Replace them with the original characters and save again.
Getting help
Open Talk to Us in the left menu, or email support@bookboost.io.