How to Use Calendar Management
Master vacation rental calendar management with TrueBookings. Learn to block dates, manage availability, and prevent double bookings.
Block Unavailable Dates
Mark dates when your property is not available:
- Log in to your TrueBookings admin dashboard
- Use the date blocking feature to mark unavailable dates
- Personal Use: Block dates when you plan to use the property
- Maintenance: Block dates for repairs, renovations, or deep cleaning
- Seasonal Closures: Block off-season periods if you don't rent year-round
- Emergency Blocking: Quickly block dates for unexpected issues
- Blocked dates are stored in the reserved_dates table and prevent bookings on those dates
How Date Blocking Works
Understand how the calendar system prevents double bookings:
- Blocked Dates: Dates you manually block are stored and shown as unavailable
- Booked Dates: Confirmed bookings automatically block those dates
- Checkout Dates: Same-day turnover dates are marked to indicate check-in time may vary
- Guest View: Guests see blocked dates as unavailable when searching
- Automatic Updates: When bookings are confirmed, those dates become unavailable automatically
Set Minimum Stay Requirements
Configure your availability rules in the Settings > Policies section:
- Set minimum night requirements for bookings
- Configure check-in and check-out times in Settings > Basic Info
- Choose if your property allows instant booking (bookings are automatically confirmed when payment is successful)
Configure Cancellation Policies
Set up cancellation policies in the Settings > Policies section:
- Choose from available cancellation policy options
- Set your preferred cancellation terms
- Policies are displayed to guests before they book
💡 Pro Tip: Calendar Optimization
Use your calendar analytics to identify patterns. If you notice low occupancy on certain days, consider offering special rates or minimum stay discounts to fill those gaps.
Handle Cancellations
Manage booking cancellations:
- Process cancellations through the Bookings tab
- When bookings are cancelled, those dates become available again
- Handle refunds according to your cancellation policy
- Communicate with guests about cancellations through the Messages tab
Frequently asked questions
How do I block dates so guests cannot book?
In your calendar, mark those dates as blocked or unavailable. Once saved, the listing will not accept bookings for those nights and double bookings are avoided.
What if I list on several sites?
Update each calendar when you get a booking elsewhere so availability stays in sync. Block the same dates on TrueBookings as soon as you confirm a reservation on another channel.