Glossary of Lodging Rental Terms
To help guests understand more about the rental of rooms and house from inns, resorts and vacation rentals this glossary is provided for your reference. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primary for terms guests may encounter in renting and utilizing lodging.
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
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
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
Client Closet
A space with a lock in which a property owner stores assets not to be accessed by guests. Although the word closet is commonly used, the space may be closet, room or just a drawer.
See also: Client Lock off Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Client Lockoff
A locked closet that you set aside in your vacation rental property for your personal things. This is off limits to guests.
See also: Client Closet Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Collection
The process of securing payment from customers who owe you money. Includes contacting the customer by mail, email, fax or phone. Use of a collection agency. The filing of suit in court.
See also: Collection Agency Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Commissions
A percent of the total product cost paid to travel agents and other travel product distributors for selling the product to the consumer. May also refer to compensation paid employees inside an organization.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Common Calendar
An online calendar which shows a list of available lodging units (room, suites or homes) in a specified Complex or destination; along with available dates. Usually a left hand menu list the units and a top menu shows days or weeks. Booked units are displayed so that a guest can determine which units are available and then make a selection. Available in virtually all lodging software and many lodging websites. Also called a Tape or Grid.
See also: Availability Calendar Origin: Vacation Rental Association