Dictionary
Day
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: Night Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Deep Cleaning
Heavier than usual cleaning, usually done at least annually it is necessary to have housekeepers clean high spots, behind appliances, baseboards and hard to reach areas.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Departure Date
The date at which a guest departed or is expected to depart from a property. In lodging this also usually includes a time after which the guest is no longer allowed to be in the property.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Destination
A geographic description of where properties are located. Destinations are areas of a State, Locations, on the other hand are sub-areas of Destinations. For example, Poipu Beach is a Location. The island of Kauai is a Destination and Hawaii is the state. These geographic descriptions are not precise and are sometimes named to accommodate various geographic features.
See also: Location, State, Country Origin: Istay
Discrimination
Restricting renters on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin as prohibited under the Fair Housing Act.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Domestic Partner
A person who is at least eighteen years of age and can show: (1) Evidence of financial interdependence, such as joint bank accounts or credit cards, jointly owned property, and mutual life insurance or pension beneficiary designations; (2) Evidence of cohabitation for at least the previous 6 months; and (3) An affidavit of domestic partnership if recognized by the jurisdiction within which they reside.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Electronic Lock
A digital or push button mechanical lock that does not require a key or access card to operate.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Emergency Assistance
If you become sick or injured on your trip and are in need of Emergency Assistance, the assistance provider will: 1. arrange for and transport you to the nearest suitable medical facility; 2. provide you with assistance to return home; 3. provide round-trip economy airfare to send someone of your choice to be with you if you are traveling alone and are in the hospital for more than 7 days; 4. return your minor children home with an escort if they are left unattended due to your death or your hospitalization for at least 7 days; 5. arrange for and transport your remains to your home or place of burial in event of your death.
Origin: CSA Travel Protection
Eviction
The lawful expulsion of an occupant from a property.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Excessive Cleaning
When a vacation rental home or other lodging unit requires cleaning great than for normal and usual usage, excessive cleaning is required and for which the guest is usually charged
See also: Interim Clean, Out Cleaning, Housekeeping Charge Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Exchange
Where owners of one property exchange use of it for use of another property and from that properties owner. Sometimes arranged by a third party Exchange company.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
FIT (Free Independent Travel)
Individual travel in which a tour operator has previously arranged blocks of rooms at various destinations in advance for use by individual travelers. These travelers travel independently, not in a group, usually by rental car or public transportation.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Fractional
Describes a lodging property, usually a vacation home, owned by more than one person or party. Usually organized as an association having multiple owners who share use of the home on a pre-determined arrangement, each getting different times of the year.. In some, but not all, states fractionals are governed by timeshares but operate differently with owners having control over choice of manager, amenities and later sale or disposition of the parties.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Front Desk
An office, accessible to guests during certain hours, where they can arrange the booking of lodging facilities and other types of travel services. And where, if a booking has been pre-arranged, where they may Check In to receive keys and guest instructions as well as Check Out.
See also: Central Reservations, Check In, Check Out Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Furnishings
All furniture, equipment, appliances, artwork and other assets located inside a lodging property or on its grounds.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
GDS - Global Distribution Systems
Worldwide computer networks, originally developed to offer lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services to Travel Agents who, in turned booked guests into them using the network. There are four different GDS such as Amadeus Sabre, Galileo & World span,
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Geographic Area
Also known as a Geographic Area. Can be a small or large area, from a building or destination up to a state of country. Used in conjunction to with describing real estate.
See also: Geographic Area Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Gratuities
The formal term for leaving money for those who serve such as wait staff, housekeepers and others. Not common in all countries or for all jobs. Wait staff are tipped in most places. Gratuities for Housekeepers are less common.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guaranteed Reservation
An option for guests who wish to have their lodging property held for their use regardless of time of arrival, or failure to arrive. In that case the guest is always charged. After one night of no show, the owner or manager may elect but is not obligated to rent the property to another party.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guesstimating
Projecting income, events or news with an admission that it is not based on science, or known foundation for the projection.
See also: Guesttimating, projection Origin: Vacation Rental