Glossary
This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.
Best Practices
Those policies and procedures that best suit an industry and lead to satisfied customers, good vendor relations and success for business owners. In lodging, best practices are many and varied. In short they can be summarized as being good neighbors with good customer service.
Origin: Redstone Systems
Blocked (Booking)
When an Owner reserves use of their own home the booking is referred to as a Block or Blocked. This word is used in the Computer Booking system.
See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Cancelled, Confirmed, Order, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Out of Service, Quoted, Unblocked Origin: Istay
Blue Ribbon Inspection
A lodging unit that has been inspected and meets the standards of the Vacation Rental Association (VRIA). Designated as "Blue Ribbon" and "Inspected Vacation Rental (IVR)" These include rules for outfitting, cleanliness, maintenance and truthful advertising, The terms Blue Ribbon and IVR are trademarks owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: IVR, Inspected Vacation Rental, VVR, Verified Vacation Rental Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Booking Disclosure
After confirming a guest's dates, rates and charges it is necessary to reference the basic terms which govern the order and to secure the guest's approval prior to accepting payment. That is done by reading a disclosure statement and marking it complete in the booking system.
See also: Booking, Terms and Conditions Origin: Istay
Business Travel
Travel for commercial, governmental or educational purposes with leisure only as a secondary motivation.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Canceled Stays
The number of guest stays for check-ins during a given period that canceled prior to arrival.
Origin: William May
Cancellation Policy
The terms and basis on which a lodging property owner or manager will or will not accept cancellations. Also dependent on the terms on which the guest booked the property. Usually stated as a number o days prior to first date of occupancy on which a guest may request a cancellation. Fees may apply to cancellations or cancellations may be denied altogether.
See also: "Guarantee Reservation" and "Advance Lodging Reservation" Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Card Lock
A lock that accepts a plastic card to allow access, usually to a hotel room. Uses pre-determined codes known by reservation software and the lock to allow access
- Has no need to be re-programmed manually at the door
- Can not be programmed over Wi-Fi
- Is not a mechanical keysafe or lock box
- Usually also has a physical key to use.
See also: Wi-Fi Lock, Algorithmic lock, Keysafe, Algo Lock Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Carpet Cleaning
Usually performed periodically by a vendor using specialized steam or other equipment to clean wall-to-wall carpeting.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Central Reservations
An office which receives phone calls, answers quest inquiries and arranges bookings of lodging facilities and other types of travel services
See also: Front Desk Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Certified Hearing Dog
A dog which has completed extensive training to alert its owner to a variety of sounds in different environments. These dogs are usually identified by a bright orange leash with black lettering.
Origin: Hearing Loss Association of Canada
Chambers of Commerce
Typically, a Chamber of Commerce will specialize in local economic development that can include tourism promotion.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Chargeback
When a customer requires their credit card company to reverse charges they have made with a merchant. This withdraws funds from the merchant's account without their prior permission. Customer must state a valid reason, but it is not evaluated prior to issuing the chargeback.
See also: Charge Back Reversal Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Chargeback Reversal
After a customer requires their credit card company to perform a chargeback or reverse charges they have made with a merchant, the merchant can request that his merchant account provider pursue having the chargeback reversed.
See also: Chargeback Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Check-In
The process by which guests arrive and check into a lodging property. Check In may be accomplished at a front-desk office, by meeting a representative at the property or by a telephone phone in requirement. These vary by the requirements of the owner or manager.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Check-Out
The process by which guests arrive and check out of a lodging property. Check Out may be accomplished at a front-desk office, by meeting a representative at the property or by a telephone phone in requirement. These vary by the requirements of the owner or manager.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
CHPA - Corporate Housing Providers Association
Industry trade association of businesses that provide corporate housing. They seek the growth, professionalism, excellence, customer service and profitability will improve each corporate housing company individually and the worldwide corporate housing industry collectively.
Origin: CHPA.org Link: CHPA.org
City View
When guests can see sections of a town or city from some area of the property, not necessarily from all area of the property.. May include Full, Partial or Peekaboo Views.
See also: View, Beach View, Mountain View, Resort View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Cleaning
See Housekeeping
See also: Out Cleaning Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Cleaning Fee
See Housekeeping fee
See also: Cleaning, Housekeeping, Out Cleaning Origin: Vacation Rental Association