Hospitality & Reservation System Glossary

Master the language of modern hospitality. The Upsalt Glossary is your definitive guide to the terms, features, and concepts shaping today’s restaurant and reservation technology. From dynamic pricing to multilingual booking interfaces, discover clear explanations designed for hoteliers, restaurateurs, and booking managers .

A

b

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

A

Advanced Reservation System

Tracks booking patterns, revenue, and guest behavior to optimize operations and marketing strategies.

Algorithm

A programmed set of rules used by reservation systems to optimize table allocation, pricing, and availability.

Alerts and Notifications

Automatic messages sent to staff or guests about booking updates, cancellations, or important reminders.

Analytics & Reporting

A sophisticated platform that manages bookings, optimizes availability, and enhances guest experience with automated tools and analytics.

API

A set of protocols that allows different software systems to connect and share reservation data seamlessly.

Automated Booking

Lets guests make reservations instantly without manual staff intervention, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

Automatic Reminders

Sends emails or SMS messages to guests reminding them of upcoming bookings.

Availability Calendar

A visual display of open booking slots, helping guests select suitable times and dates.

b

Bidding

Lets guests propose a price for a reservation or service, allowing flexible pricing strategies.

Booking Confirmation

A notification sent to guests to confirm their reservation, including date, time, and relevant instructions.

Booking Fee

A charge applied to reservations, often used to secure bookings or cover administrative costs.

Booking History

A record of all past reservations for a guest or venue, used for analytics and personalized service.

Booking Modifications

Changes made to an existing reservation, such as adjusting date, time, or party size.

Booking Rate

The percentage of available tables or rooms that are successfully booked within a specific period.

Booking Window

The time frame in which guests are allowed to make reservations before the service date.

Bundle Package

A combined offer of multiple services or products at a single price, often used to increase value and revenue.

C

Cancellation Policy

Rules outlining how and when guests can cancel reservations without penalties.

Custom Booking Forms

Enables tailored forms for guests to provide specific information during the reservation process.

D

Deposit Requirement

A prepayment or guarantee requested to secure a reservation, often for high-demand dates.

Dynamic Pricing

Adjusts reservation prices in real-time based on demand, availability, and other factors to maximize revenue.

E

Email Confirmation

An automated message sent to guests to verify booking details via email.

F

Flexible Booking

A reservation option that allows guests to modify or cancel with little to no penalty.

G

Guest Profiles

Digital records of guests’ preferences, history, and contact information to personalize service.

H

House Rules

Guidelines or policies that guests must follow when completing a reservation, such as dress codes or time limits.

I

Integrated Payment Gateway

Securely processes online payments directly through the reservation system.

J

Joint Reservation

A booking made for multiple parties under one reservation, often used for group dining or events.

K

Keyless Entry

A digital access system allowing guests to enter rooms or venues using a smartphone or code instead of a physical key.

L

Lead Time

The number of days between when a reservation is made and the actual booking date, used to forecast demand and adjust pricing.

M

Minimum spent

The lowest amount a guest must spend to secure a table, often used for special events or peak times.

Multi-Location Management

Allows businesses with multiple venues to manage reservations across all locations in one system.

Multilingual Reservation Interface

A feature that lets guests make reservations in their preferred language, improving international user experience and increasing booking conversions. Supports English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

N

No-Show Protection

Policies or tools designed to minimize losses from guests who fail to arrive for their reservation.

O

Overbooking Management

Techniques to handle more reservations than available capacity while minimizing customer dissatisfaction.

P

Promotional Codes

Discounts or special offers applied at booking to attract or retain customers.

Q

Queue Management

A system that organizes waiting guests, often integrated with digital waitlists or SMS alerts.

R

Reservation Confirmation

A notification sent to guests confirming their booking details and providing relevant instructions.

S

Seat Mapping

A digital layout that shows available tables or seats, helping optimize allocation during reservations.

T

Table Allocation

The process of assigning specific tables to reservations to optimize seating and service flow.

U

Upselling Features

Prompts or options to encourage guests to purchase additional services, like premium seating or menu items.

V

VIP Reservation

A premium booking option with added perks, such as priority seating, exclusive areas, or special services.

W

Waitlist System

Allows guests to join a queue when all tables are booked, increasing chances of filling cancellations.

X

XML Feed

A standardized format that allows reservation systems to exchange booking data with external platforms or partners.

Y

Yield Management

A pricing strategy that adjusts reservation costs based on demand, seasonality, and availability to maximize revenue.

Z

Zone Management

The process of dividing a venue into sections (zones) and assigning reservations accordingly to optimize capacity and service flow.

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