Reservation Methods in Vacation Rental Systems #

Short-term vacation rental platforms typically support three types of reservation methods, each offering a different level of commitment and automation for both guests and hosts. Understanding how each method works is essential for setting the right expectations and managing bookings effectively.

Inquiry #

The Inquiry method is the least committal reservation type. It allows guests to express interest in a property without blocking dates or confirming a booking.

How it works:

• The guest submits an inquiry with their travel dates and message.
• The host reviews the details and decides whether to accept, reject, or respond with more information.
• No dates are held on the calendar until the host takes further action.
• Suitable for guests who have questions before booking or hosts who prefer a manual approval process.
• Dates are help blocked for 12 hours for Guesty Connection.

Best for: Hosts who want control over which guests stay at their property and prefer personalized communication before confirming reservations.

Booking Request #

The Booking Request method offers a semi-automated reservation flow. It holds the requested dates temporarily while the guest completes payment and the host confirms the request.

How it works:

• The guest selects dates and submits a booking request.
• The system places the reservation in an “on-hold” status, blocking the dates temporarily.
• The guest is redirected to a payment page.
• Once payment is successful, the booking transitions to a confirmed state (or “Booking Request” status).
• If the guest fails to pay within a specified time (usually 20–30 minutes), the reservation is canceled and dates are unblocked.

Best for: Hosts who want to reduce booking friction while still maintaining approval control or requiring payment before confirmation.

Instant Booking #

Instant Booking allows guests to book a property immediately without host approval, streamlining the reservation process and securing dates instantly.

How it works:

• The guest selects dates and proceeds directly to the payment page.
• The system creates an “on-hold” reservation and blocks the calendar immediately.
• Upon successful payment, the reservation is confirmed automatically.
• If the payment is not completed within the allowed time window, the reservation is canceled and dates are released.

Best for: Hosts who want to maximize bookings and minimize manual work by allowing qualified guests to book instantly.

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