How to Manage Reservations

Managing your reservations effectively is key to maintaining high guest satisfaction, preventing double-bookings, and keeping your calendar accurate. This article walks you through the full reservation lifecycle—from receiving a request to marking a stay complete—using the Unaffiliate Host Dashboard.

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1. Accessing Your Reservation Inbox

1. Log in to your Host Dashboard.
2. In the left-hand menu, click Reservations → Reservations.
3. You’ll see all incoming requests and upcoming bookings listed by status (Under Review, Booked, Declined, Cancelled).

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2. Reviewing a New Request

1. In Under Review, locate the reservation (ID #{{reservation_id}}) and click View Details.
2. Confirm the dates, guest count, and any special requests or messages.
3. Check the booking calendar to ensure availability and buffer times.

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3. Approving or Declining

• Approve
  • Click Accept. The guest receives a confirmation email.
  • The dates are automatically blocked on your calendar.
• Decline
  • Click Decline, select a reason (e.g., “Dates unavailable,” “Not a good fit”), and submit.
  • The guest sees the declined notification and can choose another listing.

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4. Handling “Instant Booking” Requests

1. If Instant Booking is enabled, guests bypass approval and automatically become Booked.
2. You’ll receive a “Reservation Booked” email.
3. Review at your earliest convenience to ensure no conflicts; adjust prep time if needed.

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5. Modifying a Confirmed Booking

• Change Dates or Guest Count
  1. Locate the reservation under Booked.
  2. Click Edit, adjust fields, and save.
  3. Both you and the guest receive an updated confirmation.
• Cancel a Reservation
  1. Under Booked, click Cancel Reservation.
  2. Provide a cancellation reason.
  3. The guest receives a cancellation email and, if eligible, a refund per your cancellation policy.

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6. Syncing External Calendars

To prevent double-bookings with other platforms:

1. Go to Dashboard → Calendar Settings.
2. Under External Calendar Sync, paste your Google/iCal URL and click Import.
3. Choose sync frequency (we recommend daily).

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Pro Tips

• Set Prep Time: In Calendar Settings, add buffer hours before/after each booking for cleaning or setup.
• Auto-Decline Rules: Enable “Decline if guest count exceeds X” under Reservation Rules to automate basic filters.
• Guest Messaging: Use the Messages tab to send custom check-in instructions or local recommendations.

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Troubleshooting

• I don’t see a new request:
  • Ensure your email notifications are enabled under Profile → Notifications.
  • Check Under Review filter isn’t set to a specific status.
• Dates still blocked after cancellation:
  • Visit Calendar, click the blocked date, and manually remove the block.
• Guest complains of no reply:
  • Confirm you’ve clicked Accept or Decline; only those actions trigger automated emails.