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Product updates, practical hospitality tips, and setup strategies from our team.

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Archive

2026
  • Tracking ReservationKey Bookings as GA4 Ecommerce Purchases
  • Introducing the New ReservationKey Website Builder
  • Pricing & Configuration Just Got a Major Usability Upgrade
  • Scheduled Emails: Automated Guest Messaging with Better Visibility and Reliability
  • What's New in ReservationKey (April Update)
  • Flexible Email Template Editing: Visual Editor, Raw HTML, and Legacy Support
  • How to Modernize Your Existing Reservation Pages
  • New Modern Booking Page Themes
  • New Media Library for Image Management
  • Members-Only Booking Pages with ReservationKey
2025
  • Introducing V3: A Cleaner, Simpler, and More Modern Look for ReservationKey
  • Updated Availability Calendar Reports in ReservationKey
  • Details of ReservationKey’s New Referral Rewards Program
  • Introducing Our New AI Chat Support Tool: Faster Answers, Smarter Help
  • A Complete Guide to the New Reservations Tab in ReservationKey
  • How to Setup and Use Passkeys for Easy Logins
  • New Data Layer Makes it Easy to Add Reservation Data to Tracking Code
  • Creating a Custom Theme Tutorial
  • Adding Search Bar to WordPress / Elementor With ChatGPT's Help
  • Introducing Text Messaging
2024
  • New Slideshow Format Now Available
  • New Theme Available
  • New Sign-in Options
  • NEW: More control over iCal reservations
2023
  • UPDATED: PayPal Payment Method SmartButtons
  • NEW FEATURE: Currency Conversion Widget
  • NEW: Rate adjustments can be set to apply only for last minute reservations
  • NEW: Alert icons in Guests section
2022
  • NEW: Automatically Add QR Codes to Gift Certificates
  • NEW: Exclude dates from discount codes
  • Selling Gift Certificates with ReservationKey and Square
  • NEW: Set date range restrictions on fees.
  • NEW: Set default length of stay for booking engine
  • Square API Update News
  • NEW: Show Custom Fields Specific to Selected Rooms/Units
  • NEW: Electric Meter Calculator in Items for Sale
  • NEW: Password protect online reservation pages
2021
  • NEW FEATURE: Flag rooms as dirty or clean
  • NEW: Fully customizable internal contact form in Reservation Details, including set which fields are required
  • NEW: Online Check-in Form; Signature Fields; Image Uploads
  • Two new custom field types – image/document upload & signature pad
  • NEW: Make card-present transactions with Square Terminal
  • ReservationKey for a Boatel (boat-hotel) – interesting uses of the reservation software
  • Channex updates, news, pricing
  • Big Update to iCal – Cancellations and Modifications now possible; new “import all” options
2020
  • NEW: Reservation status can automatically change after X number of hours
  • Improvement to online reservations page functionality
  • Appointment Bookings & Book by Type Tutorial
  • Creating Clickable Maps to Show Availability
  • How to completely edit the waiting list/inquiry form and message.
  • NEW OPTION: Set default number of guests
  • NEW: Custom field for currently logged in user
  • NEW: Online Modifications (and Cancellations)
  • New Feature: Easily Set Weekly and Monthly Rates
  • Customizing the ReservationKey Booking Engine for Your Needs
  • Options for Offering Trip Insurance
  • NEW: Online cancellations
2019
  • Themes updated with gift certificate styling
  • eRentalLock integration
  • ORBIS Research notes ReservationKey a “key player” in our industry
  • Stripe Integration
  • NEW FEATURE: Stripe Integration
  • Expedia Integration Update
  • Just launched – Stripe Integration!
  • New Website Under Development
  • NEW: Use merge codes to add website messages to email templates
  • New Connection: Quickbooks Online – feeback/testing requested
2018
  • What steps should I take prior to “going live” with my new ReservationKey account?
  • Answer to commonly asked questions from clients coming from Webervations and Rezovations
  • NEW OPTION: Create a fee that is a percentage of the room price
  • IDEA: Creative placement of booking engine
  • Six New Reservation Page Themes
  • NEW: Select what payment category to use for initial online payments.
  • HOW TO CONVERT A TELEPHONE OR EMAIL INQUIRY INTO A BOOKING
  • NEW FEATURE: Set user permissions from within the room/unit settings
  • NEW: custom fields numbers drop down
  • NEW FEATURE: Multiple Rate Plans Per Room/Unit
  • NEW FEATURE: Daily Activity by clicking date bar
  • New: Drag and drop reservations
2017
  • Updated Correspondence Window
  • NEW ENHANCEMENT: Easily view your ADR and RevPar
  • NEW FEATURE: Click to call
  • NEW FEATURE: Change the order of guest names
  • NEW FEATURE: send email automatically when changing reservation status
  • NEW: Reports menu has been redesigned
  • NEW FEATURE: Track when emails were opened
  • NEW FEATURE: Set rates & minimum stay day by day in Rate Plans
  • New feature: include room/unit specific details in email templates
  • Introducing the new search bar
  • Floating top scroll bar & more dates
2016
  • Easier to select Rate Plans that Taxes and Fees apply to
  • New Feature: Bookkeeping
  • Under Development: Update to system look and feel
  • New Quick Quote Feature
  • Option to force new login for an account user
  • HTML Editor Added to Email Templates
  • Update to Google Analytics Tracking Options
  • Break Address Field into Multiple Fields
  • New Feature to Show Minimum Stay Requirements on Internal Calendar
  • New Option For Adding/Removing Emails to Queue
2015
  • Import Credit Card Details From Myallocator Now Available
  • New Option for Splitting Address into Multiple Fields
  • New option in Reservation Status to set rates to zero
  • Forum assistance: Improvements to Pre-Book Links
  • Forum assistance: Prebook Guests and Send a Link to Collect Reservation Details/Payment
  • Forum assistance: Now Specify Number of Children Per Room
  • Forum assistance: ReservationKey Change Log Added
2014
  • New Responsive Design for Reservation Details
  • A Couple New Permissions Settings
  • Payment Pages now include terms agreement section
  • New Authorize Only, Void, Capture options for authorize.net and RentPayment
  • Enhancement: Bulk Print Now Can Create and Email PDFs
  • NEW: Automatically track commissions due from myallocator.com bookings
  • Drag Across Dates to Select Multiple Days
  • Innrewards.com – new directory site created by ReservationKey users
  • Review of Forum Updates
  • Update Themes
  • New MyAllocator Option for Room Type Matching
  • MyAllocator Modifications
  • Time Zone Setting for Public Reservation Pages
2013
  • Enhancement: Reservations Tab Saves Search Settings
  • Advice on Vacation Rental Email Correspondence
  • TripAdvisor TripConnect Certification Complete
  • New Feature: Filter by Amenities in Online Reservation Pages
  • New Feature: Create Bookmarks, Notes in ReservationKey
  • New Feature: iCal Import and Export Links
  • Set up Reservationkey’s TripAdvisor TripConnect link
  • Enhancement: Balance shows in reservation info box; information about IE Compatibility View
  • New Feature: Reminders
  • Enhancement: Hover over stars to see description
  • New Feature: {{roomurl}}
  • Updates to User Community Forum
  • New User Forum
  • New Events Bar on Top of Internal Calendar
  • New Bulk Printing Option
  • New Occupancy and Tax Reports
  • New Features Update
  • New Partnership With Channel Management Company
  • CC and BCC fields added to Send option in Correspondence Button
  • Update to ReservationKey Facebook Apps
  • A Few Enhancements – Items for Sale and Min Stay Error Messages
  • Slight Change Calendar Header Functionality
  • Change Status/Add Star(s) Automatically if Discount Code Used or Item for Sale Added
  • New Mobile Version – Easy to Setup
  • Require Consecutive Night Stays
  • New Google Analytics Features
  • Link Email Messages to Payment Methods
  • Items For Sale Enhancement
  • More Status Options; Keeping Rates on Room Changes
  • Captcha Option for Gift Certificates
  • Color Code Units; Search by Room/Unit
  • New Features for Property Managers
  • New Option for Displaying Cancellation Policy
  • New Internal Availability Search Feature
2012
  • Happy New Year (and a few new features)!
  • Quicker Access to Calendar
  • Steps For Using Alternate Rate Plans
  • Update to Search Forms
  • New Features in Email Templates
  • Adding ReservationKey’s Online Bookings to Your Website
  • Getting The Most Out Of ReservationKey
  • New Option For Disabling Online Bookings
  • A Few Upgrades in Gift Certificates
  • Enhancements to the Correspondence Window
  • ReservationKey Is Also For Property Managers!
  • Option For Scrollbar at Top of Availability Calendar
  • Easier Linking Settings to Reservation Page(s)
  • New Statistics Report
  • Configuring ReservationKey for Hotels, Motels, Campgrounds
  • Easier Configuration for Hotels, Motels, Campgrounds
  • New Feature: Scheduled Emails
  • Changing/Moving Reservations Now Much Easier
  • Updates to Payments by Date Report
  • More Options in Email Templates
  • New Feature for Holding Rooms for Groups
  • Rate Adjustment Specials Now Show on Hotel Style Pages
  • Two New Email Template Codes
  • Using the Search Form and Iframes
  • All About PayPal Subscriptions For ReservationKey Service
  • Highlight Reservations By Adding a Star
  • A Few CSS Tweaks
  • Improvement on Retaining Prices When Changing Reservation Dates
  • Nice Review From a User
  • Thoughts on Phone Support vs Email
  • New Features in Activity Tab
  • Preference Setting For New Reservation Alert
  • More Flexibility Using Themes and Custom Text
  • Why Switch to ReservationKey?
  • New Color Coding in Activity Availability Search
  • NEW FEATURE: Create Custom Reservation ID Numbers
  • Added Status Column to Payments by Date Report
  • Clicking Payments Saves Credit Card Info
  • New Tax Option For VAT Included
  • New Flexibility in Taxes on Items for Sale and Fees
  • Press Enter To Search
  • New Option to Include Tax on Percentage Items for Sale
  • New Alert If Auto Payment Does Not Complete
  • Arrive Depart in Calendar Search Mode
  • New Guestbook Spam Prevention
  • New Internal Messaging System
  • Fees and Items for Sale Line Items
  • How to Create Dropdown Field for Check-in Time
  • New Tax Merge Codes in Templates
  • New Internal Title Field for Templates
  • No More Accidental Deletion of Admin User
  • Re-Designed Print Version of Housekeeping Reports
  • Updates on Features and News
  • Tips on Authorize.net Integration
  • New Yearly Comparison Report
  • More Ways to Find Reservations
  • Two New Income Reports
  • Alternate Payment Schedules
  • A Few New Features
  • ReservationKey Facebook Apps
  • Do You Need Your Own SSL Certificate?
  • Reasons Why People Switch to ReservationKey
  • San Poncho, Mexico – Best Clients Ever
  • Red Flag Guests / Set Alert
  • Monitor Searches on Reservation Pages
  • New Waiting List & Inquiry Form
  • Luxurious B&B In San Poncho, Mexico
  • Punta de Mita, Mexico – The Utmost in Relaxation
  • On The Road, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  • Automatically Reduce Minimum Stays
  • Converting to ReservationKey – Importing Data
  • Happy New Year and A New Feature
2011
  • Hotel Style Reservation Pages
  • Data Backups
  • A New Blog
  • More Star Choices For Marking Reservations

Announcements | April 17, 2026 | 3 min read

Scheduled Emails: Automated Guest Messaging with Better Visibility and Reliability

Learn how scheduled emails in ReservationKey work, how to set them up using custom date fields and email templates, and what recent updates improved visibility and reliability.

product-updatesemailscheduled-emailsguest-communication

Scheduled emails in ReservationKey allow you to automatically send messages to guests based on important dates, like birthdays, anniversaries, or any custom date you collect. This is a simple but powerful way to stay connected with guests and drive repeat bookings without manual effort.

With recent updates, scheduled emails are now easier to manage, more transparent, and more reliable behind the scenes.

How Scheduled Emails Work

At a high level, scheduled emails are triggered by date-based custom fields tied to your guests. Once set up, the system checks daily and automatically sends emails to guests whose dates match your timing criteria.

For example:

  • Send a birthday greeting on the guest's birthday
  • Send an anniversary email a week before their special date
  • Send a yearly reminder tied to any custom date you define

Step 1: Add Custom Date Fields

Start by creating one or more custom fields to store the dates you want to use.

Go to: Website -> Custom Fields -> Add

  • Choose a date field type, either Month/Day or Day/Month
  • Enter a question, such as "When is your birthday?"
  • Set whether the field is required on your reservation page
  • Optionally enable internal visibility
  • Add a mail merge code if you want to use the value in emails

Adding a custom date field for scheduled emails

If you want guests to fill this out during booking, make sure to enable the field on your reservation page.

Once dates are entered, those guests automatically become eligible for scheduled emails.

Step 2: Create Email Templates

Next, create a template for each type of scheduled email.

Go to: Website -> Email Templates -> Add Template

You can:

  • Customize subject and message content
  • Include attachments, such as coupons or special offers
  • Use guest-related merge fields such as \{\{guestfirstname\}\}, \{\{guestlastname\}\}, \{\{guestemail\}\}, \{\{guestphone\}\}, and more

Note: Since scheduled emails are not tied to a specific reservation, reservation-specific merge fields will not apply.

Adding an email template for scheduled emails

Step 3: Schedule the Email

Go to: Reservation Manager -> Guests -> Scheduled Emails

Click Add Scheduled Email, then:

  • Select your email template
  • Choose the date source, such as birthday or anniversary
  • Set timing, before, after, or on the date
  • Define sender, recipient, and optional CC/BCC

Once saved, the system automatically processes scheduled emails daily and sends messages to matching guests each year based on the date.

Scheduling an automated guest email

See Exactly Who Will Receive Emails

One of the biggest improvements is visibility.

In the Guests -> Scheduled Emails section, the counts for Yesterday / Today / Tomorrow are now clickable. Clicking these shows a detailed list of recipients, including:

  • To / CC / BCC
  • Subject line
  • Email addresses

You can also click directly from a recipient to jump to their reservation, making it much faster to review or make updates.

Scheduled email visibility popup showing recipients

Cleaner, More Accurate Recipient Data

We fixed an issue where some scheduled emails, especially date-based ones like birthdays, were missing recipient details.

Now:

  • Guest data is reliably pulled from the correct source
  • Email addresses and names display correctly
  • You can trust that emails are going to the right people

A More Complete Scheduled Email System

With these updates, scheduled emails are now much more polished and dependable.

You can:

  • Automatically send recurring emails based on guest dates
  • Quickly see exactly who will receive emails
  • Jump directly to guest records for review
  • Rely on accurate data and consistent delivery

Overall, scheduled emails are now easier to use, easier to troubleshoot, and a more dependable way to stay connected with your guests year after year.

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