Rooms - Chapter 2

Question 1

advance deposit guaranteed reservation

Answer 1

A type of reservation guarantee that requires the guest to pay a specified amount of money to the hotel in advance of arrival.

Question 2

affiliate reservation network

Answer 2

A hotel chain’s reservation system in which all participating properties are contractually related.

Question 3

block

Answer 3

An agreed-upon number of rooms set aside for members of a group planning to stay at a hotel.

Question 4

book

Answer 4

To sell or reserve rooms ahead of time.

Question 5

cancellation hour

Answer 5

The hour after which a property may release for sale all unclaimed non-guaranteed reservations, according to property policy.

Question 6

cancellation number

Answer 6

A number issued to a guest who has properly canceled a reservation, proving that a cancellation request was received.

Question 7

central reservations system

Answer 7

A network for communicating reservations in which each participating property is represented in an automated database and is required to provide room availability data to the central reservations center on a timely basis.

Question 8

confirmation number

Answer 8

A code that provides a unique reference to a reservation record and assures the guest that the reservation record exists.

Question 9

corporate guaranteed reservation

Answer 9

A type of reservation guarantee in which a corporation signs a contractual agreement with the hotel to accept financial responsibility for any no-show business travelers it sponsors.

Question 10

cut-off date

Answer 10

The date agreed upon between a group and a hotel after which all unreserved rooms in the group’s block will be given back to the general rooms inventory for sale.

Question 11

free independent traveler (FIT)

Answer 11

A traveler who is not part of a group.

Question 12

global distribution system (GDS)

Answer 12

A distribution channel for reservations that provides worldwide distribution of hotel reservation information and allows the selling of hotel reservations around the world; usually accomplished by connecting the hotel company reservation system with an airline reservation system.

Question 13

guaranteed reservation

Answer 13

A reservation that assures the guest that a room will be held until a specific time of the day following the guest’s scheduled arrival date. This time may be check-out time, the start of the hotel day, or any time the hotel chooses. The guest, in turn, guarantees to pay for the room, even if it is not used, unless the reservation is canceled according to the hotel’s cancellation procedures.

Question 14

Internet distribution system (IDS)

Answer 14

A direct-marketing distribution channel that provides property exposure and reservations management for independent hotels, chain hotels, and third-party intermediaries representing hotel companies.

Question 15

non-affiliate reservation network

Answer 15

A central reservations system that connects independent (non-chain) lodging properties

Question 16

non-group displacement (or displacement)

Answer 16

The turning away of transient guests for lack of rooms due to the acceptance of group business.

Question 17

non-guaranteed reservation

Answer 17

A reservation agreement in which the hotel holds a room for the guest until a stated reservation cancellation hour on the day of arrival; the property is not guaranteed payment in the case of a no-show.

Question 18

no-show

Answer 18

A guest who made a room reservation but did not register or cancel.

Question 19

overbooking

Answer 19

Accepting more reservations than there are available rooms.

Question 20

overflow facility

Answer 20

A property selected to receive central system reservation requests after room availabilities in the system’s participating properties within a geographic region have been exhausted.

Question 21

payment card guaranteed reservation

Answer 21

A type of guarantee supported by payment card companies; these companies guarantee participating properties payment for reserved rooms that remain unoccupied.

Question 22

prepayment guaranteed reservation

Answer 22

A type of reservation guarantee that requires a payment in full before the day of arrival.

Question 23

revenue manager

Answer 23

The manager responsible for forecasting demand for each market segment the hotel seeks to attract—corporate transient, group, leisure transient, and others—as well as determining the guestroom rates that will provide sufficient room revenues and occupancies. Also typically manages e-commerce functions.

Question 24

reservation record

Answer 24

A collection of data that identifies a guest and his or her anticipated occupancy needs before arrival at the property; enables the hotel to personalize guest service and accurately schedule staff.

Question 25

reservation system

Answer 25

Software specifically designed to handle the creation, modification, confirmation, and/or cancellation of reservation records.

Question 26

seamless connectivity/integration

Answer 26

The ability of travel agencies to book reservations directly into hotel reservation systems, as well as verify room availability and rates.

Question 27

wash down (or wash)

Answer 27

Blocking fewer rooms than the number requested by a group, based on the group’s history.