Why It Matters

We’ve just added a new feature where minimum stay requirements can be automatically reduced if they cannot be met.  For example, you have a two night minimum stay set for Friday and Saturday reservations.  Your room is already booked for Saturday and Sunday, which leaves a single Friday available.  With this new option enabled, the system would allow the Friday night stay since it is not possible to book Friday and Saturday (since Saturday was already reserved).

Note, this only looks at availability past the requested days.  This means, in the above example, that even if Thursday was available, the system would not require a two night minimum of Thursday and Friday.  The system does not check to see if dates before the first requested date are available when deciding whether to reduce the minimum stay requirement.  This might be something we look at expanding to in the future, but for now we are starting with just looking forward for this feature.

This feature is disabled by default.  To enable it, go to Properties Tab, Rate Plans, and then edit your plan and a a rate rule.  In the rate rule screen you will find the following setting, which you should set to Yes, and save changes.

A Further Example

Here we have a five night minimum stay set for all of January.  This guest wants to start their reservation on January 17.  Since January 20 is reserved, the maximum the guest could reserve is three nights, so the system adjusts to require a 3 night stay instead of a 5 night minimum stay.

The system does not still require the five night minimum stay even though there is space available prior to this guest’s request start date.

Have an opinion as to whether this is the right way to handle this situation?  Leave a comment or email us.

• Boost Occupancy: Convert orphan nights (unbookable leftovers) into revenue.
• Save Time: System does the work—no manual updates needed.
• Enhance Guest Experience: Guests appreciate flexibility, leading to more bookings.

How It Works

1. Suppose there's a 2-night minimum for Friday & Saturday.
2. Saturday is already booked, leaving only Friday.
3. The system recognizes that a 2-night stay isn't possible and automatically allows the one-night option for Friday—if the feature is enabled

The logic examines days after the requested date to decide whether shortening is allowed—not before .

Activate the Feature

1. Go to Properties → Rate Plans.
2. Edit your rate plan and open its rate rule.
3. Locate the “Reduce Minimum Stay” toggle and set it to Yes.
4. Click Save

Once enabled, the system dynamically adjusts based on availability.

Benefits of Using This Feature

• Eliminate calendar gaps: Convert orphan nights into bookings.

• Reduce manual intervention: Rules adjust automatically.

• Align with demand: Offer flexibility without lowering standards.

• Perfect for vacation rentals, campgrounds, vehicle/boat rentals, and more.

• Learn more about fully flexible rate rules: Rate Adjustment Setup Guide ‍

• Want daily control over rates & minimums? Check out our guide: Set Rates & Minimum Stay Day‑by‑Day reservationkey.com

• Need help getting started? Visit our User Guide and Video Library for step-by-step help.

Start filling those orphan nights—turn on “Reduce Minimum Stay” now! Log In & Enable Feature

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