Rate Plans

1. Viewing and Adding Rate Plans

1.1. Rate Plan Overview

Upon accessing the Rate Plans section, you will be presented with a comprehensive list of all rate plans currently configured within the system. This overview provides a quick snapshot of existing plans and their usage.

1.2. Rate Plan List Columns

• Plan Name: Displays the unique identifier assigned to each rate plan.
• Rooms/Units Using Plan: Indicates the number of rooms or units that are currently associated with the respective rate plan. This helps in understanding the scope of each plan’s application.

1.3. Filtering Rate Plans by Property

For properties with multiple locations or units, a property dropdown is available. This allows you to filter the list of rate plans based on specific property associations, making management more efficient.

1.4. Adding a New Rate Plan

To create a new rate plan:

1. Click the “Add Plan” link.
2. You will be redirected to the rate plan settings screen.

1.5. Editing an Existing Rate Plan

To modify an existing rate plan:

1. Click on the desired plan name within the list.
2. You will be redirected to the rate plan settings screen for that specific plan.

2. Primary Settings

2.1. Plan Name and Property Association

Plan Name:

• Enter a descriptive and unique name for the rate plan in the “Plan Name” field.

Property Association (Optional):

• Select the relevant property from the “Property” dropdown to associate the rate plan with a specific location. This facilitates organized management, especially in multi-property setups.

2.2. Taxes and Fees

Taxes:

• In the “Taxes” section, select all applicable taxes that should be applied to this rate plan.

Fees:

• In the “Fees” section, check the boxes corresponding to any fees that apply to this rate plan.

2.3. Title and Description (Optional)

You have the option to add a title and description for the rate plan. These fields are beneficial when managing multiple rate plans, as they provide additional context and clarity. While optional, they are highly recommended for detailed documentation.

2.4. Saving and Proceeding

After configuring the primary settings, save the rate plan. Once saved, you can proceed to add rate rules to define the specific pricing structures.

3. Linking Rate Plan to Rooms/Units

3.1. Importance of Linking

It is crucial to link the rate plan to the appropriate rooms or units. A rate plan will only be effective if it is correctly associated with the relevant inventory. Failure to link, or accidental unlinking, is a common source of pricing discrepancies.

3.2. Linking Process

Ensure that you select the specific rooms or units that will utilize this rate plan. This is typically done through a selection interface within the rate plan settings.

3.3. Duplicating Rate Plans

To streamline the creation of similar rate plans:

1. Use the “Duplicate” or “Copy” function.
2. This will create a copy of an existing rate plan, including all settings.
3. Modify the copied plan as needed to create a new, distinct rate plan.

4. Deleting a Rate Plan

4.1. Deletion Location

To delete a rate plan, locate the “Delete Rate Plan” link, which is typically found at the bottom of the rate plan settings screen.

4.2. Deletion Confirmation

You will be prompted to confirm the deletion. Ensure you understand the implications before proceeding, as this action is irreversible.

5. Rate Rules

5.1. Purpose of Rate Rules in Rate Plans

Rate rules are integral to rate plans, allowing you to define specific date ranges and associate them with corresponding rates. This is essential for implementing dynamic pricing strategies, such as seasonal rates.

5.2. Creating Seasonal Rates

For example, you can create separate rate rules for winter and summer, specifying the start and end dates for each season and the applicable rates.

5.3. Adding a New Rate Rule

To add a new rate rule:

1. Click the green “Add Rate Rule” button.
2. Follow the prompts to configure the date range and rates.

5.4. Editing an Existing Rate Rule

To edit an existing rate rule:

1. Click anywhere on the desired rate rule line.
2. Modify the settings as needed.

5.5. Duplicating Rate Rules

To duplicate a rate rule:

1. Use the “Duplicate” or “Copy” function.
2. This allows you to quickly create similar rate rules, such as copying rates from one year to the next and adjusting for any changes.

6. Setting Rate Rules

6.1. Date Range Configuration

Start and End Dates:

• Enter the precise start and end dates for the rate rule.
• Ensure that rate rules do not overlap to prevent pricing conflicts.
• Ideally, the start date of a new rule should immediately follow the end date of the previous rule.

6.2. Rate Setting Methods

Rate Granularity:

• Choose between setting rates by day, week, or month.

Weekly Rates:

• Enter the rate for each day of the week (e.g., Monday through Sunday).

Daily Rates:

• Adjust rates for individual days within a month.

Fixed Weekly/Monthly Rates:

• A weekly rate applies to seven consecutive nights, regardless of the start day.
• A monthly rate applies to 30 consecutive nights.
• Additional days beyond the fixed duration will be charged at the daily or weekly rate, as applicable.

7. Adjustments to Rate Rules

7.1. Per-Guest Charges

Base Occupancy:

• Define the base occupancy for the rate rule.

Additional Guests:

• Specify how the price should adjust for additional adults or children beyond the base occupancy.
• Adjustments can be set as flat amounts or percentages.

7.2. Short Stay Surcharges

Surcharge Conditions:

• Set a surcharge for reservations shorter than a specified number of nights.

Surcharge Application:

• Apply the surcharge as a flat amount or percentage.
• Specify which days of the week the surcharge applies to.

7.3. Length of Stay Discounts

Discount Configuration:

• Set up discounts based on the length of stay.
• Create multiple discount lines for varying stay durations.
• Discounts are applied cumulatively.

8. Stay Requirements

8.1. Minimum and Maximum Stay

Stay Duration:

• Configure minimum and maximum stay requirements for the rate rule.
• Example: Set a two-night minimum stay for weekends in a specific month.

8.2. Overriding Minimum Stay

Last-Minute Bookings:

• Use the “Ignore Minimum Stay” option for last-minute bookings.
• This allows bookings to fill gaps smaller than the minimum stay requirement.

Minimum Stay Reduction:

• Configure whether to reduce the minimum stay if it cannot be met.
• This provides flexibility for small gaps between reservations.

8.3. Weekend Requirements

Weekend Stays:

• Set specific requirements for weekend bookings (e.g., require both Friday and Saturday nights).

Check-in/Check-out Days:

• Configure the system to allow or disallow specific check-in and check-out days.

9. Deleting a Rate Rule

9.1. Deletion Location

To delete a rate rule, navigate to the rate rule settings screen.

9.2. Deletion Process

Click the “Delete This Rate Rule” link, typically found at the bottom of the rate rule settings screen.

9.3. Deletion Confirmation

Confirm the deletion when prompted, as this action is irreversible.