Setting the right booking lead time restrictions is a key element of effective property management. It helps avoid sudden bookings and allows better preparation for welcoming guests. Below you will find a practical step-by-step guide.
How to enable minimum and/or maximum lead time?
1. Go to the Price list section in the menu, then click the Configuration tab or click the Settings button in the Set prices tab.
2. Click the Availability tab.
3. Enable the Minimum/Maximum booking lead time option by selecting the appropriate button in the availability restrictions list.
4. Save the changes.
After activation, this option becomes available in the price editing window in your Price list.
Minimum booking lead time restriction:
The Minimum booking lead time restriction allows you to precisely define the amount of time that must pass between the moment of booking and check-in. This is a useful tool that helps avoid surprising "last-minute" bookings.
How to set it up?
Go to the main Price list view, select the period for which the restriction applies, and enter the number of days and hours that must pass before check-in for the guest to be able to make a booking. The restriction must be set separately for each rate plan from Booking.com.
Example:
If you set the minimum lead time to 1 day 0 hours, guests will not be able to book a room for the same day, but they will be able to do so for the next day.
How is the time before check-in calculated?
Our system takes into account the time from midnight on the day of check-in. In other words, if you set, for example, 1 day, it also applies to the day on which the booking is supposed to begin.
Example 1:
Let's assume you set the restriction to 1 day 0 hours and select Wednesday as the day of the week. This means that the guest will be able to make a booking no later than 11:59:59 PM on Tuesday.
This way, you will avoid bookings made just a few hours before check-in.
Example 2:
If you want to allow bookings no later than the day before by 10:00 AM, you should set the minimum booking lead time to 0 days 14 hours. The time is counted backward from midnight on the day of check-in.
Example 3:
If you want guests to make bookings at least two days in advance by 8:00 PM, you should set the restriction to 2 days and 4 hours with a day such as Friday selected. This means that bookings can be made no later than Wednesday by 8:00 PM.
Will the Minimum booking lead time restriction be sent to the Reservation System?
Yes
Will the Minimum booking lead time restriction be sent to Booking.com?
Yes. However, this restriction must be set separately for independent and dependent plans for it to apply to your entire offer on Booking.com.
Will the Minimum booking lead time restriction be sent to Airbnb?
No
Maximum booking lead time restriction:
The Maximum booking lead time restriction allows you to control how long before the planned check-in a guest can make a booking. This is useful when you want to plan further ahead and avoid bookings for dates that are too far in the future.
How to set it up?
Maximum booking lead time can be set by specifying the maximum number of days for which a booking can be made before the planned arrival date. To do this, specify the number of days as the restriction. If we want to set the maximum booking lead time to 30 days, this means that bookings will be accepted within the next 30 days before the arrival date.
Example:
Let's assume you want to set the Price list for the entire year, from January to December, but you are concerned whether the established prices will still be appropriate for the prevailing conditions. In that case, it is worth setting the maximum booking lead time restriction to, for example, 3 months (by entering the restriction as 90 days). This way, you can be sure that bookings will not be accepted for a period longer than the next 3 months. This is important because there is a risk that someone will book your property in January for July at the old price, while in the meantime you would have increased the prices. Setting the maximum booking lead time restriction therefore ensures that you will be able to update prices according to current conditions, avoiding bookings at outdated prices.
Will the Maximum booking lead time restriction be sent to the Reservation System?
Yes
Will the Maximum booking lead time restriction be sent to Booking.com?
Yes
Will the Maximum booking lead time restriction be sent to Airbnb?
No
How to disable the restrictions?
Go to the Price list settings, the Availability tab, and uncheck the button next to Minimum/Maximum booking lead time, saving the changes.
Tip: Flexibility in Moderation
The more restrictions you set, the more you will tailor the offers to your needs. However, remember that your property will not be displayed in the results if it does not meet the restriction conditions. Settings that are too restrictive may limit the number of potential guests.