Important to note:
You can only edit your Reservation policy settings (under the Additional direct booking controls section) once the room rates have been added to your Direct booking.
To configure your direct rates reservation policy settings, go to Direct booking > Direct booking rates.
Learn about your Reservation policy settings
Your direct booking rates’ Reservation policy settings allow you to set non-guaranteed reservations; in other words, to automatically release a room if a guest fails to arrive and check-in before a specified time, giving you the flexibility to offer the room to other guests in need of last-minute accommodation.
A non-guaranteed status is a type of reservation agreement between a guest and a property with the following terms:
Guests won’t have to input any credit card details (unless there is a deposit configured or they decide to guarantee the reservation).
The property commits to holding the room until a specified hour on the check-in day (for example, 6 pm, which will display as "18:00" on your direct booking engine). If the guest fails to arrive by this time, the property is free to release the room.
Please note: you can release the room, however the inventory will not be adjusted automatically; you will need to manually cancel the reservation for the inventory to be updated.
If you have chosen non-guarantee settings for a direct booking rate, guests will have two options when booking:
Book the room without having to input their credit card information.
Tick a checkbox to guarantee the booking beyond the specified time, which requires that the guests enter payment card details to complete their booking and secure the room even if they arrive after the check-in time.
Configure your direct rates reservation policy settings
Go to Direct booking > Direct booking rates.
On the Show rates by status filter, select All.
Locate the relevant room type and click on the direct rate you want to configure.
On the Direct booking actions menu, select Edit. (A window will open.)
Scroll down to find the Additional direct booking controls section > Reservation policy settings.
Select one of the three options below and click on Save.
Pre-payment details needed to secure booking — this is the default option: all direct bookings made through this direct rate will be guaranteed reservations. All guests booking this direct booking rate will have to enter their payment details in order to book successfully.
Pre-payment not needed to secure booking — all direct bookings made through this direct rate will be non-guaranteed reservations: the reservation will be guaranteed on the day of arrival up to the check-in time. All guests booking this direct booking rate will not be required to enter their payment details when booking (unless the direct rate asks for a deposit). If the guest does not pay by the check-in time, the room can be released immediately.
Pre-payment needed if guest intends to check-in after — all direct bookings made through this direct rate will be non-guaranteed reservations held until a specific time of day after check-in. If the guest does not pay by this time, the room can be released; they can also choose to guarantee the reservation beyond this time by choosing to enter their credit card and/ or pre-payment details. If you select this option, ensure to use the Select time field to select the time of day the room can be released.
Note:
You can only edit your Reservation policy settings once the room rates have been added to your Direct booking.
If deposits are enabled for this room rate, the credit card form will always display regardless of the time you have selected under Select time.
Ensure you have set up the credit cards your property accepts to allow guests the option to guarantee their booking.