As of 29th May 2024, Guestline implemented enhancements to the way child pricing is managed within the Distribution system. Customers using Guestline DBM, and our Roomlynx API/WS.
⚠️Important: OTA pricing for Booking.com, SynXis etc are all done via their extranet on their channels.
Key changes
The key changes implemented are listed below:
Expanded Child Numbers: Previously, pricing was sent for up to two children. Now, pricing for up to five children (including the existing one and two child pricing) is sent to Distribution.
Static Child Pricing: The price per child remains consistent and is controlled within Rezlynx PMS and within the Distribution Hub.
Product Rules and Per Person Pricing: For Rate Plans using Product Rules or Per Person pricing, child rates for up to five children will now update accordingly.
Supplements: If using supplements for additional children, ensure the 'Include Children in Occupancy' setting is enabled in Rezlynx PMS.
Upsells: Additional upsells can be used to allow the guest to book for extra children.
Setting the number of children
Child pricing will update to Distribution based on the Occupants From/To - minus 1, as children cannot have a room on their own, when booked online - set on the Rate Plan, per Room Type. In Distribution, what shows online, will be based on the ‘Max Children' configured in Manage Rooms.
Child pricing will update to Distribution based on the settings in these two areas of the system:
Rezlynx PMS
The value updated to Distribution is controlled based on the maximum number of occupants supported on a Rate Plan.
⚠️Important: For child occupancy, minus 1 due to child only rooms not being able to be sold online.
You can review your settings by navigating to: Rezlynx PMS, then System, Rates, then Rate Plans. Open the required rate plan, navigate to Criteria and then Occupants From/To.
Child pricing is either controlled by the Product on the Product Rule or by Per Person pricing, as discussed below.
Distribution Hub
The additional pricing will update online to supported channels, based on the Maximum Child, configured in Distribution.
You can review your settings by navigating to: Distribution Hub, Configuration, Rooms, and then Manage Rooms - or - in Rezlynx PMS, Rooms, and then Manage Rooms.
Editing each room type will allow you to view the number of occupants configured.
📌 Tip: Max Children cannot be equal or greater than overall max pax.
The price for each child can be viewed by navigating to: Manage Rates and then select Details.
Settings per child charges
What price is sent to Distribution depends on whether any of the following are configured for children:
Product Rules that have ‘Per Child’ Products, not set to absorb
Per Person pricing, where children are also added and only set to ‘child own rate rule’
Supplements, where Ini settings have been enabled in Rezlynx
Upsells that are set per child
We review each of these below:
Product Rules
Product Rules are used to define additional items or services to be included in a Rate Plan, at an additional cost or the cost can be absorbed into the accommodation charges.
When creating a product rule for child charges or products it is important to remember to select:
Charge Mode of per child.
Posting mode should be DOA for Day of Arrival and RD for Resident Days if selling online.
Usually absorb would be left unticked in order to add a charge per child. If Absorb is selected, no additional charge is made for the children.
Per person pricing
When building your rate plan, Rate Plans can be configured with a charge mode Per Person if required, children configured with ‘Own rate rule’ can then have their own charge rules in place for accommodation and product rules.
A separate Rate Rule, if required, can be selected for any children sharing the room which will charge at a different rate to the Adult Rate Rule Code. This Code can be added under Child Shared Rate Rule Code.
Supplements
Rate Plan Supplements allow you to adjust accommodation charges based on room occupancy levels. For instance, you might apply a discount for a third guest sharing a room.
If using a supplement for additional children, ensure that the Ini settings have been enabled so that the Supplement includes children in the room. To check or change this setting, navigate to System, System, Ini Settings, then select Rate Plans, scroll down to Supplements and tick the Include Children in Occupancy box to enable this feature, or untick to disable.
To ensure that the child pricing sells online as required, navigate to Distribution Hub, Configuration, Rooms, and then Manage Rates. Select the Rate Plan Content and under Connections select Treat children as adults.
Upsells
Additional upsells can be added to sell online, to allow guests to book for extra children in the room without this being configured within the rate plan.
For example, on the DBM:
Troubleshooting
Charges based on children's ages: You can not differentiate between the ages of children online, and you cannot vary the cost based on age.
Infant occupancy: Unfortunately, the addition of infants to the room occupancy is not currently supported on the DBM.
Children not being charged: If you have Include children in occupancy ticked within the PMS and add the child price via a Supplement, then you must also tick the Treat Children as Adults within Distribution Hubs Manage Rates.