Rate Plan Types

Rate Rules can be applied to a Rate Plan Type to increase the rate by a dollar amount or a percentage based on the overall occupancy of the hotel or the number of that Rate Plan you want to sell on any given day, and to determine whether you want the increase to occur when the hotel reaches a certain overall occupancy percentage for a day or if a maximum number of that rate is sold before increasing the rate. This is also known as "yielding", with the yielded rate increasing as the occupancy increases.

To set up a Rate Rule, click the Add button in the "Rate Rules" section area to open the Rate Plan Rules screen.

This screen has the necessary fields for you to complete to add Rate Rules to the Rate Plan Type.

Rate Plan rule for hotel: This is a drop-down menu of available options. Select one. This should be the default Property associated with the Rate Plan Type.

This field is required.

The next section is a script with fields to fill in.

First: Complete the fields with the desired numbers for hotel occupancy % or total rooms sold with this Rate Plan before the rates are raised, OR the Rate plan is closed. At least ONE of these fields MUST be completed for a Rate Rule to be applied.

Next: Raise Rates and select Room Type. If the rates are to be raised for the Rate Plan rather than simply closed when the occupancy reaches the desired levels, enter the amount, either a numerical value or a percentage of the Rate Plan, followed by selecting the desired Room Type from the drop-down menu (to select all Room Types, leave blank).

OR: If instead you wish to simply close this Rate when the occupancy reaches the desired level, check the "Close this Rate Plan?" box.

Once you have made your selections, move on to the Dates that the Rate Rules will apply.

All Dates: This box may be checked or unchecked. If checked, the Rate Rules will be applied to the Rate Plan on all dates.

If the Rate Rules are not to be applied at all times, select the Start and End Date using the drop-down menus or by clicking the Calendar icon. By default today's date will be displayed for both start and end dates.

Once the Rate Rules have been completed, you will need to click the Save button () in the local tool bar before they are applied to the Rate Plan Type.

When saved, the new Rate Rule will appear on the left of the Rate Plan Rules screen. You may now add/edit more Rate Rules, or return to the Rate Plan Type screen using the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar. The new Rate Rules will be displayed in the Rate Rules section.

Any Rate Rule in this section can be edited by clicking on the line entry to display it on the Rate Plan Rule screen, or deleted simply by clicking the red "X" at the right of the line entry.

Yielded Rates and any Yielded Variance for any stays may be viewed on the Room Rate Report.

You can also close out (not longer have available) a specific Rate for a day or date range.

To close out a Rate Type for a date or date range, click the Add button in the "Dates this Rate Plan is Closed" section area to open the Rate Plan Closed by Date Range screen.

Select the Date range you no longer wish the Rate to be available using the drop-down menus or by clicking the Calendar icon for both the Closed Start Date and Closed End Date options.

Reason: Enter a reason for closing out the Rate for the selected Dates.

These fields are all required to close the Rate Type.

Click the Save button () in the local tool bar to apply to the Rate Plan Type.

NOTE: Once the Rate has been closed out, it no longer appears in the Rate drop-down list for those dates.

When saved, the Rate Plan closure will appear on the left of the Rate Plan Closed by Date Range screen. You may now add/edit more Rate Plan closures, or return to the Rate Plan Type screen using the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar. The new closure Dates for the Rate Type is closed will be displayed in the Dates the Rate Plan is closed section.

Any entry in this section can be edited by clicking on the line entry to display it on the Rate Plan Closed by Date Range screen, or deleted simply by clicking the red "X" at the right of the line entry.

This section allows you to automatically post specific charges when this Rate Type is selected. For example, you may wish the Rate Type "CORP" to always be associated with a charge for lunch, or a Rate Type that allows pets may be associated with a charge per pet. The Posting Type may be attached to the Rate here and will then be automatically posted when a stay with that Rate Type is created. (When the stay is created, the recurring charges are listed on the folio definitions screen and automatically posted based on the frequency selected).

To select a Posting Type to automatically attach to this Rate Type, click the Add button in the "Automatically post these charges when this rate plan is selected" section area to open the Recurring Charges for (Rate Type code) screen.

This screen allows you to select the Posting Type, Amount, and Frequency for the recurring charge (daily, weekly, monthly).

Posting Type: Select the Posting Type you wish to add to the Rate Type from the drop-down menu of available options.

Amount: Enter the numerical amount here that you wish to be charged for the Posting Type when the Rate Type is selected.

Frequency: This is a drop-down menu allowing you to specify the frequency of the charge. Select from Daily, Monthly or Weekly.

These fields are required.

Type: You may also specify if the charge for this Posting Type is simply applied once with the Rate Type (the default option of None) or associated with the number of individuals (per adult, youth or child, or per pet) or per room. For example, you may wish a charge for lunch to be per adult, or a charge for including pets to be made per pet on the reservation. Select your preferred option from the drop-down menu.

All Dates: This box may be checked or unchecked. If checked, the Posting Type will be added to the Rate Type for all dates. By default it is checked. If it is unchecked, Start Date and End Date fields will appear on the screen for you to complete. Select the Date range using the drop-down menus or by clicking the Calendar icons.

Once your selections have been made, click the Save button () in the local tool bar to attach a recurring charge to the Rate Plan Type.

When saved, the added charge will appear on the left of the Recurring Charges for (Rate Type code) screen. You may now add/edit more Postings, or return to the Rate Plan Type screen using the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar. The new Posting Type(s) will now be displayed in the "Automatically post these charges when this rate plan is selected" section.

Any entry in this section can be edited by clicking on the line entry to display it on the Recurring Charges for (Rate Type code) screen, or deleted simply by clicking the red "X" at the right of the line entry.

To attach an interface mapping code to this Rate Type, click the Add button in the "UNIREZ Interface Mapping Codes" section area to open the Interface Lookup Table screen.

UNIREZ Rate Plan: To add an UNIREZ Interface Mapping Code to a Rate Type, you must enter the UNIREZ Rate Plan code in this field.

This field is required.

Description: Enter the description of the code here.

Once your information has been entered, click the Save button () in the local tool bar to attach an UNIREZ Interface Mapping Code to the Rate Plan Type.

When saved, the added Mapping Code information will appear on the left of the Interface Lookup Table screen. You may now add/edit more Mapping Codes, or return to the Rate Plan Type screen using the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar. The new UNIREZ Interface Mapping Code(s) will now be displayed in the "UNIREZ Interface Mapping Codes" section.

Any entry in this section can be edited by clicking on the line entry to display it on the Interface Lookup Table screen, or deleted simply by clicking the red "X" at the right of the line entry.

This section allows you to automatically add a Package when this Rate Type is selected. The Package may be attached to the Rate here and will then be automatically added to a reservation when a stay with that Rate Type is created. For example, you may wish the Rate Type "B&B" to be associated with a package providing breakfast.

To attach a default Package to this Rate Type, click the Add button in the "Default Packages for this Rate Plan (will default when attached to a stay)" section area to open the Package for this Rate Plan screen.

Package Name: Select the desired Package from the drop-down menu of available options.

Once your selections has been made, click the Save button () in the local tool bar to attach a Package to the Rate Plan Type.

When saved, the added Package will appear on the left of the Package for this Rate Plan screen. You may now add/edit more Packages, or return to the Rate Plan Type screen using the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar. The new Package(s) will now be displayed in the "Default Packages for this Rate Plan (will default when attached to a stay)" section.

Note: This section also has a Fast Pick option button.

Clicking this button opens a pop-up window listing ALL available package options, and allows you to select MULTIPLE OPTIONS AT ONCE.

This option allows you to quickly add several Package options to a Rate Plan Type, and is the preferred option if you wish to add more than one Package to your Rate Plan Type creating a complex and unique Rate Plan Type swiftly and easily. Once your selections have been made, click the orange button Save and Exit. This will close the pop-up window and display any selections made in the "Default Packages for this Rate Plan (will default when attached to a stay)" section.

Any entry in this section can be edited by clicking on the line entry to display it on the Package for this Rate Plan screen., or deleted simply by clicking the red "X" at the right of the line entry.

Note: These options will only be displayed if you are part of a multi-property interface user of Skyware.

Default Hotel: This is the default Property used for this Rate Type. If you have more than one Property you will be able to select the Property for this Rate Plan Type using the drop-down menu of available options.

This field is required when there are multiple properties.

This rate plan is available to all Properties?: This box may be checked or unchecked. This box should be checked if the Rate Plan is to be available at ALL Properties ONLY. By default it is unchecked. If it is checked, the Rate Type will be considered available at ALL your Properties in Skyware Systems. If you do not have this Rate Type available at every Property, leave it unchecked.

If the Rate Type is to be available at multiple but not all Properties, add them in the "This rate plan is specific to the Default Hotel and ONLY these properties" section, using the Fast Pick button

Click the Fast Pick button to open a pop-up window displaying the available Property options.

Select all Properties that this Rate Plan Type will be available, then click the orange button Save and Exit to return to the Rate Plan Maintenance screen.

Different Rate Plan Types may have different service requirements than usual for your Property. For example, a weekly Rate might only receive service once a week. If so, use the elements in this section to define the room service options for the Rate.

No Room Service: This box may be checked or unchecked. If there is to be no service with this Rate Plan Type, check this box.

Set Rooms Service Pattern: Click this button to set the room service pattern for the dirty flag. A pop-up window will appear for you to make your selection.

Set Sheets Service Pattern: Click this button to set the sheets service pattern for sheet changes. A pop-up window will appear for you to make your selection.

The option to set a Monthly or Weekly flat rate has been added to Skyware. This gives you the option for any Rate Plan Type to set the rate for each day without having to go to Maintain Rates. Instead, the last day of the period will hold the offset or remainder. By default, this is NOT set, but you may choose to activate this option using the check box here.

Selecting this option opens the section for adding the flat rate.

Note:  When first shown, the section is not active. You MUST save the change first to make the Add button in the section available.

Click the Add button to open the Flat Rates screen, where you can set the flat rate details for the selected rate plan type.

The Flat Rates screen display is split into two frames, with the left side of the screen listing any already configured flat rates for the Rate Plan Type and the right side containing the fields you need to complete in order to add or edit a flat rate for the Rate Plan Type. Any changes made on the right, once saved, will be updated in the listings to the left.

Type: Type of cycle for this rate. This is a drop-down menu allowing you to select either weekly or monthly. By default, weekly is selected.

This field is required.

Start: Day the rate takes effect. Click on this field to display a monthly calendar and choose the date you wish this rate to take effect for the selected Rate Plan Type.

This field is required.

Rate: The Flat Rate. Enter the desired amount into this field manually. By default it is set as 0.00; you should change this to what you wish it to be.

This field is required.

Starts On: The day the time period (Type) starts for generating rates. This is a drop-down menu allowing you to select either the beginning of the month, or the arrival date. By default, beginning of the month is selected.

This field is required.

Room Type: Room Type this (flat rate) Rate Plan Type may be used with. This is a drop-down menu allowing you to select the specific room type the flat rate may be used with. By default it is left blank, meaning ALL room types may use it.

Note: If you wish to use a flat rate with multiple room types but not all room types, you must generate and add a flat rate for EACH room type.

When you are finished adding or editing a flat rate, click the Save button to save the changes. The newly generated flat rate will appear on the left side of the screen (and is now associated with the specific Rate Plan Type used to open this screen).

You may generate multiple flat rates using the new or replicate buttons in the local tool bar, make a new entry for each flat rate desired.

Note: ALL flat rates shown on the Flat Rates screen are specific to the Rate Plan Type used to enter this screen. To use a flat rate with another Rate Plan Type, you must open the specific Rate Plan Type and add it via the Flat Rate screen for that Rate Plan Type.

Once all the desired flat rates have been added on this screen you may return to the Rate Plan Type screen by clicking the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar.

This will return you to the Rate Plan Type Maintenance screen, where the Flat Rates added will now be shown in the Flat Rates section.

Note: Any entry in this section can be edited by clicking on the line entry to display it on the Flat Rates screen, or deleted simply by clicking the red "X" at the right of the line entry. Removing it here will also remove it from the Flat Rates screen.

The Interface is the external distribution hub for this Rate Plan Type, known as the CRS (central reservation system). Your Property may also use a GDS (Global Distribution System) or OTA (Online Travel Agent, such as Expedia). The codes used by your Property may differ to that used in Skyware Systems. This section enables you to ensure that if the Rate Plan Type is to be used with any of these interface options, you can communicate efficiently with the CRS via Skyware.

CRS Rate Plan (all)?: This box may be checked or unchecked. Is this a Rate Plan used for all CRS interfaces? If so, check this box. By default it is unchecked.

CRS Equivalent (all): Enter the CRS equivalent code for all Rate Plans in this field.

Default A/R for CRS: Enter the default A/R account to use for a CRS/GDS reservation in this field.

You may if wished use the search option box next to this field to find the correct A/R account. Click on the gray search box (to the right of the field) to open a pop-up window listing the available A/R accounts to select a default A/R for a CRS from.

Click on any entry to automatically close the pop-up window and enter your selection into the Default A/R for CRS field.

Suppress Travel Agent from CRS?: This box may be checked or unchecked. By default it is unchecked. If checked, the IOTA# for the OTA will not be attached to a guest reservation.

Interface by Rate Plan: If this Rate Plan will NOT be used for ALL CRS interfaces, this section allows you to choose the Interface and add its CRS equivalent, if desired.

Select the Rate Plan interface(s) to attach by using the Add button in this section to open the Interfaces / Rate Plan Mapping screen.

Interface: This is a drop-down menu of available Interface options. Select one.

CRS Equivalent: Enter the CRS equivalent to the Interface in this field.

Once your information has been entered, click the Save button () in the local tool bar. You may now add/edit more Interfaces or return to the Rate Plan Type screen using the Rate Plan Record button in the local tool bar.

Rate Plan Cycle: How many days will this Rate Plan cycle? Enter the number in the field. By default it is 0.

Off Cycle Rate Plan: This is a drop-down menu of available Rate Type options. Select one if you have entered a number into the Rate Plan Cycle field. This is the Rate Type that the reservation will switch to after the Rate Plan has cycled through the number of days entered.

Send Restrictions only?: This box may be checked or unchecked. By default it is unchecked.