Understanding the group block screen

You use the Block tab to block room types for group bookings. Multiple fields and options are available for you to perform tasks associated with a block. Each option uses a separate screen to add room types to the block, release blocks, and add restrictions to the block. Once room types are blocked they show in a grid with detailed information.

You can set the group booking to release unused rooms allocated to the block by a specific date, or by rolling release which releases the rooms a specified number of nights prior to the end of day procedure for each block date.

The following is a list of fields contained on the Block tab:

  • Cancel Returns Availability to House: You check this option to have any cancelled reservations room returned to house availability instead of to the block.
  • Tentative Room Blocks Affect House Availability: You check this option to have the room blocks of group bookings in the Tentative status affect house availability.
  • Planned Release Date: The date on which all remaining unused rooms allocated for the group booking will be returned to the rooms in house availability. The field is filled with release date specified on the group booking record view. You can modify the planned release date. When a date is specified, the Default Release Days field is unavailable.
  • Actual Release Date: The field is filled with the date that the group block was actually released when Planned Release Date is used. You cannot modify the actual release date.
  • Default Release Days: The number of days, prior to the end of day procedure of each block date, that the system should drop remaining unused room allocations. This field is used to activate a rolling release of remaining unused rooms allocated for the group booking. The field is filled with default release days number specified on the group booking record view. You can modify the default release days. When a date is specified, the Planned Release Date field is unavailable. Optionally, you can click the calendar icon to create a release schedule by date. If a release schedule exists, an indicator displays to the right of the field.

    See Creating a release schedule.

  • Last Date Released: The field is filled with the last date that the group block was released when Default Release Days is used.

The grid displays a column for each room type and a row for each date assigned to the booking. Each row has cells that represent the total number of rooms available, blocked, contracted, picked up, and remaining for delegate reservations. If the group is a master and has sub groups, each sub group will display after the master in it's own section with an indicator.

The room block information is displayed in a grid and contains the following information:

  • HSE AVL: A column for house availability. You cannot modify this information.
  • CON: A column for the number of rooms contracted with the client. A different number of rooms may be blocked than what was contracted if a shortfall is expected, allowing your property to maximize room sales to other customers.
  • FCST : A column for the number of rooms that are forecasted. This column will only be updated by the Delphi interface where installed.
  • BLK TTL (Total Block): A column for the total number of rooms held from availability.
  • BLK MST ( Master Block): Total number of rooms blocked in the master.
  • SUB BLK: A column for the number of rooms held from availability for a sub block.
  • PU TTL (Picked Up Total): A column for the total amount of delegate reservations that have been made or picked up for the room type.
  • PU MST (Picked Up Master):
  • REM TTL( Remaining): A column for the total amount of rooms remaining in the block that have not been picked up.
  • REM MST(Remaining Master): The total number of rooms remaining in the master.

You can use the following options to add to room block values in the grid:

  • Clicking the Quick Entry button to add block values for a room type for specific dates.
  • Entering the room block values directly into the grid.

You can use the Release Block button to release remaining room blocks to house availability.

You can use the Restrictions button to add revenue control options. Each restriction placed on a block shows with an indicator. The revenue control options are:

  • Closed to Arrival: Closed to all delegate reservations that arrive on this date
  • Min LOS to Arrive: Minimum length of stay restriction is applied to any delegate reservation arriving on this date.
  • Closed to Departure: Closed to all delegate reservations that depart on this day.
  • Min LOS to Depart: Minimum length of stay restriction is applied to any delegate reservation departing.