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#Post#: 523--------------------------------------------------
Booking fee
By: Tom Date: May 10, 2024, 3:02 pm
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I'm considering imposing a non-refundable booking fee --
thinking of $35. I'd make it very clear on the web site.
Main reason is to effectively raise rates for 1-night stays. In
our market, we get a lot of through travelers so about 3/4 of
bookings are one night. I really can't impose a 2-night minimum
as that market simply would not come here, and they are good,
repeat customers (Tesla charger helps).
Our rates are pretty low now -- the market has risen around us,
particularly with steep demand pricing kicking in. I could, and
may raise rates directly, but I'd like to focus on that 1-night
turn around expense.
Second is to cover some of the cost of the reserve/cancel cycle.
We have been running for 15 years and have had very few problems
with rude, late, no-show cancellations, but folks changing
travel plans and canceling is about 10% of bookings.
Cancellation policy is pretty relaxed, nominally 10 days, but
I'm flexible dealing with people's changing travel plans unless
we had high demand and lost bookings. Certain event dates are
non-refundable, an average of 8 nights per year. I don't want to
impose a cancellation policy that deters bookings, but a small
sunk fee should not be a barrier.
Advice?
#Post#: 524--------------------------------------------------
Re: Booking fee
By: Arks Date: May 10, 2024, 5:49 pm
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I think the words "non-refundable" will run some people off.
Instead, I have Reservation Key apply a surcharge on one-night
reservations. That way only the one-nighters ever see that they
are paying extra to say one night. I've had a few ask me to
waive the one-night-stay fee, but when I explain that if I don't
get that fee, I wouldn't take one-night stays. I've never had a
soul complain about it after I tell them that.
#Post#: 525--------------------------------------------------
Re: Booking fee
By: Generic Date: May 10, 2024, 8:31 pm
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How about a non-refundable deposit? What would that do?
#Post#: 526--------------------------------------------------
Re: Booking fee
By: JimBoone Date: May 11, 2024, 7:33 am
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[quote author=Tom link=topic=84.msg523#msg523 date=1715371343]
I'm considering imposing a non-refundable booking fee --
thinking of $35. I'd make it very clear on the web site.
Main reason is to effectively raise rates for 1-night stays. In
our market, we get a lot of through travelers so about 3/4 of
bookings are one night. I really can't impose a 2-night minimum
as that market simply would not come here, and they are good,
repeat customers (Tesla charger helps).
Our rates are pretty low now -- the market has risen around us,
particularly with steep demand pricing kicking in. I could, and
may raise rates directly, but I'd like to focus on that 1-night
turn around expense.
Advice?
[/quote]
A non-refundable fee has worked fine for me, several years now.
Mine is only $10, not enough to discourage a serious reservation
but it covers costs and discourages those who book a room just
to tie it up while shopping around. This fee applies to the cost
of the room so not a loss to the guest if they stay.
I also have a 1-night rate and a 2-night rate such as Arks is
using. My reason here is that our weekend rates are usually
favorable compared to others in the area, but it only works for
me if they stay both nights. Our 1-night rate tends to be quite
high to discourage the one-night stay. You can always delete
that extra cost if an empty room is still sitting there on the
weekend.
#Post#: 527--------------------------------------------------
Re: Booking fee
By: gillumhouse Date: May 11, 2024, 8:55 am
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I do not like the words "booking fee" especially with the
non-refundable.
I am 7 miles from an Interstate and have a rail-trail AND
chargers - so yes, I get a lot of 1-nighters too. Arks has the
answer to your conundrum - set up your online booking with a
1-nighter non-refundable surcharge or rate.
#Post#: 528--------------------------------------------------
Re: Booking fee
By: Generic Date: May 12, 2024, 8:49 pm
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If you are using ResKey, you can always program in your rate...
Discounts
If at least 2 days discount $35
And set your rates higher. This way, when they book one day,
they get the higher rate but if they book 2, they get this great
looking discount.
The other possibility is to program it as a surcharge of $35 if
they book under 2 days.
#Post#: 529--------------------------------------------------
Re: Booking fee
By: Tom Date: May 13, 2024, 10:14 am
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Thanks, all. Definitely some experience in this forum. I use
Resnexus and there's probably ways to do some of your
suggestions.
At the start of 2024 I enrolled in Google Hotel and my first
impression was that it reduce traffic to my web site and
bookings because I would appear in search at a higher price than
the local motels. Increasing my nominal room rate will show up
as a higher price on Google. Probably not a big deal -- they
want to come or don't, but I like them to at least look at the
facility.
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