STAAH Product Updates You Can’t Miss

Channel Manager Updates

1. Drip Feed Update

Drip Feed restrictions are now customizable at the room type level across channels. 

• There is now a dedicated row below each Room Type for Drip Feed restrictions 
• Activate Drip Feed at the Room level, and it easily applies to all associated rate plans linked to that Room Type.
• For linked rooms, a visible row for Drip Feed restrictions is available, though non-editable. Manage these restrictions at the Parent room level. 

Property managers can set specific values for Drip Feed restrictions. Here’s how it works:

Set and Forget: Assign a Drip Feed value, much like our counter feature, to dynamically manage availability.

Real-time Adjustment: As bookings roll in, watch the Drip Feed restriction automatically decrease. For example:

1. Standard Room – Drip Feed set at 5 for 14 Feb.
2. First booking received, and the Drip Feed reduces to 4 for 14 Feb.
3. Subsequent booking for the same date, with 2 Standard Rooms – the Drip Feed further reduces to 2.

Click here to find out more information on Drip Feed

2. DidaTravel, HRS and Booking Direct – Split Inventory feature

• DidaTravel, HRS, and Booking Direct channels used to handle inventory at the rate plan level, and not on room level.
• When a property had both parent and linked rooms (which are treated as rate plans), they shared the same inventory.
• This could lead to issues if a booker tried to reserve both rate plans but only one room was available.
• To fix this, our team split the inventory between parent and linked rooms.
• For example, if there were 3 units available and a parent room with 2 linked rooms, each room would now have 1 unit available.

The update is already live, and all connected properties have been fully synchronized.

Booking Engine Updates

1. Booking Engine Update

Custom No Availability Message feature! Now properties can craft their own unique message when no rooms are available for searched dates, adding a personal touch to the booking experience.

You can simply enable it independently by navigating to Setup > Profile > Website Display > Sold Warning.

• Enable Permission to Display Text Box: With just a simple toggle, you can enable the display text box, giving you the freedom to craft messages.
• Craft Custom Messages: Once enabled, you can enter your own custom message directly into the text box. Whether you want to highlight other available properties or offer special suggestions to guests, the choice is yours.
• Current Message: By default, there’s a pre-set message available. However, with this update, you have the flexibility to modify it according to your preferences.
• Example of Custom Message: For instance, imagine a group offering various properties. With our update, they can now personalize messages to notify guests with additional options or exclusive deals.

2. MAX Booking Engine – Display on Booking Engine

Key Features:

• Options can now be displayed based on packages.
• Prioritization follows the order set in the packages module.
• By default, options are sorted based on price.
• This feature is applicable exclusively to the MAX Booking engine.

3. Booking Engine Widget Update 

1 Adult, 1 Room search option – You can now search for accommodations perfect for solo travelers, like dorms or places with prices for just one person.

To enable –  Go to Setup > BE Permissions

4. Transaction ID Update 

We have added the Payment Gateway (PG) transaction ID to the Stayview booking module. 

This would benefit properties to match payments in PG with MAX, especially for PGs that don’t display the Booking ID.

5. SwiftBook Update

SwiftBook now allows properties to automatically set a default check-out date based on the minimum number of nights required.

• For example, if the minimum stay is set at 5 nights and the check-in date is February 21st, the widget calendar will automatically set the check-out date to February 26th.
• Users cannot change the check-out date to be within 5 nights of the arrival date.

To enable – Setup > Booking Engine > Booking Engine Widget

6. SwiftBook – Group Widget – Widget Script now available via MAX Extranet

In order to access, login to Property Group listing > Booking Engine Widget

1. By default, the script will be for widget based on property

2. You can generate a script that is based on location. Please enable the flag ‘Enable Location’

Customisation for Group Widget:

Presently, the configuration only applies to the Calendar widget.

Channels Updates

1. Booking.com Update

(a) Report Guest Misconduct (RGM):

• Easily report poor guest experiences directly through your Channel manager.
• No more hassle of logging into Booking.com separately to report misconduct.
• You can now block troublesome guests from booking your property again through Booking.com.

This tool is available to all customers connected to Booking.com through their Channel manager. It supports specific scenarios outlined by Booking.com, and reports can be submitted anytime from one day after check-in to seven days after check-out.

Where to report guest misconduct?

• Setup > Reservations > Advanced Booking search > View booking > Select ‘Report guest misconduct’.
  Visible on day after check-in and available for seven days post check-out, based on the property’s local timezone
• On click pop-up is visible to complete

• Select misconduct category: drop down option, all fields are provided by Booking.com
• Select sub-category: drop down option, all fields are provided by Booking.com
• Additional information: Add a short description of misconduct.
• Indicate whether to clock the guest from making a booking at the property in the future via Booking.com
• Once submitted, button is replaced by a ‘Report guest misconduct log’ button.

Log will display information submitted, one such example is given below:

Introducing the modify booking feature! Now, with the Stayview Module, property owners can easily adjust bookings by either shortening or extending stays.

(b) Key Features:

• Shorten stays by arranging for an earlier check-out date than originally booked.
• Extend stays by accommodating a later check-out date than originally booked.

2. New OTA Integrations

The list of channels which are now live on the platform:

TravelplusApp SoftInn Bookonlinenow Roibos Tripjack PercentageconsultingKlookView all STAAH Integrations here