✅ Set a cut-off period to block last-minute bookings
✅ Define restrictions in days or hours before check-in/arrival
✅ Apply settings globally to all TOs automatically
✅ Improve supplier coordination and prevent operational challenges
🚀 Objective: Avoid unmanageable last-minute requests, streamline operations, and maintain smooth booking processes.
Understanding last-minute booking restrictions
Last-minute booking restrictions prevent TOs from making reservations too close to the check-in date for hotels or the start date for experiences.
📌 Example: If a supplier requires bookings to be confirmed at least 3 days before check-in, you can enforce a 72-hour restriction to prevent last-minute requests.
How restrictions apply to distributed products
Once a last-minute restriction is set, it automatically applies to:
🛏 Hotels – Blocks TOs from booking within the restricted period before check-in
🗺 Experiences – Prevents TOs from reserving activities too close to the activity date
💡 Tip: This feature ensures that suppliers and hotels have enough time to process bookings and avoid last-minute operational stress.
Accessing last-minute booking restrictions
To configure last-minute booking settings in KOOB:
- Go to the Distribution section in the left-hand menu.
- Click on the last-minute booking restriction settings link in the top banner.
- The restriction dashboard will display all current settings.
📌 Tip: If a TO is requesting last-minute bookings that disrupt operations, increase the restriction period to give suppliers more time to manage reservations.
Defining the cut-off period
You can specify how far in advance a TO must book before guest arrival. Choose between:
| Restriction type | Example |
|---|---|
| By days before check-in | Block bookings 3 days before arrival |
| By hours before check-in | Block bookings 48 hours before arrival |
How to configure last-minute booking restrictions
- Click on the restriction settings link at the top.
- Enter the number of days or hours before check-in when bookings should be blocked.
- Click Save Changes to activate the restriction.
📌 Example: If you set a 2-day cut-off, TOs cannot book hotels or experiences for a check-in date within the next 48 hours.
Applying restrictions to hotels and experiences
Once the cut-off period is defined, it applies automatically to:
✅ Hotel bookings – Prevents TOs from booking within the restricted period
✅ Experience bookings – Blocks last-minute activity and tour reservations
🚨 Important Notes:
- The restriction applies globally to all TOs—no need to configure it per partner.
- If a TO tries to book within the restricted period, the system will block the booking attempt.
📌 Tip: Align your restriction settings with supplier requirements to prevent last-minute complications and improve service quality.
Reviewing and adjusting last-minute restrictions
To modify your last-minute booking settings:
- Return to the Distribution settings section.
- Adjust the number of days or hours before arrival.
- Save changes to update the settings for all TOs.
📌 Example: If suppliers extend their cut-off period to 4 days, you can update KOOB to match their new requirements and ensure smooth coordination.
Takeaways
✅ Automatically block last-minute bookings based on predefined timeframes
✅ Ensure suppliers have enough time to prepare for bookings
✅ Reduce operational stress and prevent rushed confirmations
✅ Improve collaboration with TOs by setting clear booking expectations
FAQ
Can I apply different last-minute booking restrictions per TO? ❌ No. Last-minute booking restrictions apply globally to all TOs and cannot be customized per partner.
Can I block last-minute bookings for hotels but allow them for experiences? ❌ No. The restriction applies to both Hotels and Experiences simultaneously.
What happens if a TO tries to book within the restricted period? ✅ The booking system will block the request, and the TO will not be able to proceed.
Can I change the cut-off period after setting it up? ✅ Yes! You can modify the restriction settings at any time in the Distribution section.
Related articles
- How to set up currency exchange rates for my distribution?
- How to set up Hotel, Experience, and Trip Distribution for a Tour Operator? (Detailed configuration)
- How to use the Bulk Edit distribution settings for my products?
- How to set margins and visibility for my distributed Hotels?
- How to set margins and visibility for my distributed Experiences?
- How to set up margins and visibility for my distributed Trips templates?
📌 Need help? Visit the KOOB Knowledge Base or contact KOOB Support for assistance. 🚀