Glossary
This Glossary is provided to users of the website as a guide to terms and information they may find helpful. Definitions are added, edited or removed occasionally.
Night
In most lodging, guests do not rent "Days" but instead bookings are thought of as "Nights". The origin of this terminology comes from the traditional (Hotel, Motel) industry where guests frequently arrive in the afternoon and leave in the morning. Hence it is the night they are renting not the day.
See also: Day Origin: Vacation Rental Association
No Pets
When a lodging facility disallows pets of any kind at the property. If No Pets are specified then pets are not welcome on the grounds, in the vicinity or inside the buildings. [ Service animals are exempt from such limits. ]
See also: Pet Friendly, Service Animal Origin: Vacation Rental Association
No Show
A customer with a reservation at a lodging facility who fails to show up and does not cancel.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
No Smoking
In most jurisdictions, guests are not allowed to smoke in properties or anywhere inside the buildings. Usually there are rules that prohibit smoking within a certain distance of the building or its entrance ways or that prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds. Most owners of lodging facilities prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds or in the building
See also: Smoking Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Non-Cancelable
When a booking for lodging property use is non-cancelable it means the guest must pay for and is not entitled to a refund even if they request a cancellation. This is similar to non-cancelable bookings for airfare and other travel services.
See also: Re-Sellable Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Normal Occupancy
The number of registered occupants for which the normal rental rate applies. There are per-day fees for each disclosed or undisclosed guest over the normal Occupancy.
See also: Sleeps Occupancy, Maximum Occupancy, Disclosed Guest, Undisclosed Guest, Drop-in Guest Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Obscured Rent by Owner (RBO)
When a website makes a property owners identify hidden thereby requiring guests to only communicate through their website dashboard, the rental is Obscure.
See also: Rent by Owner, Rbo Origin: May, William Link: VRIA.org
Occupant
A person of any age who enters a lodging unit at any time; or enters the property or resort on which it sits. Includes overnight guests but also drop-in visitors.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ocean Front Accommodations
Buildings or rooms and living units in a building which is along side the ocean shore. Can be major oceans or estuaries. Generally means there are no other buildings between the building and the water. Not necessarily Beach Front.
See also: Beach Front Origin: Vacation Rental Association
OTA - Online Travel Agent
Websites where guests can book lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services online. OTA's utilize Global Distribution Services (GDS) to display services and then to confirm them with the travel provider. Examples of OTA's are Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Hotels.com but there are many others offering the same services.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
OTA - Open Travel Alliance
An organization that engineers computer and technical specifications to ensure traveler and supplier information flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. Membership includes major hotels, airlines and Global Distribution Firms.
Origin: OpenTravel.org Link: OpenTravel.org
Out Clean Fee
A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate that is charged to renters to cover the cost of cleaning the property after departure.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Out Cleaning
Vacation rental homes are usually cleaned after the guest departs, this is referred to as an Out Clean. Usually there is a one time fee for this service.
See also: Out Cleaning Fee, Interim Clean, Housekeeping Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Overages
Charges to the Guests for additional rent, activities, services, housekeeping or repairs that are greater than appeared on the guest's original estimated charges.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Package
A fixed price travel product that makes it easy for a traveler to buy and enjoy a destination or several destinations. Packages offer a mix of elements like transportation, accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, cultural activities, sightseeing and car rental.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
PayPal
A fast and convenient online payment service.
Origin: Plumbob Publishing
PayPal
A fast and convenient online payment service. People like the convenience of this service since money is transferred automatically over the internet, directly from their credit card or personal checking account.
Origin: Redstone Systems
Peak Season
The primary travel season when occupancy and rates are the highest
See also: Travel Seasons, Low Season, Shoulder Season Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Per Person Pricing (PPP)
Often used for Vacation Rental homes, a pricing model where a minimum nightly rate is set for a property allowing a base or normal number of occupants. Guests pay an additional fee for each guest over the normal, up to a maximum number of guests allowed in the property. The additional fee is often much higher for unapproved guests.
See also: Dynamic Rates Origin: Istay
Pet Deposit
Should a lodging facility allow for pets they may require the guest to pay a significant deposit to cover any damage or excessive cleaning necessitated by the pets occupancy. Pet Deposits are usually refundable if no damage or effect occurs
See also: Pet Fee, Pet Friendly, No Pets, Pet Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association
DETAILS: Glossaries and Dictionaries are handy tools. They provide an indication of meaning but additional study may be necessary to comprehend the full meaning. There may be alternate definitions not included here and experts may disagree on the proper explanation of each term.
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