Setting Up Rate Characteristics (Using the Rate Setup Tab)

Use the Rate Setup tab to define enhanced details for a specific rate plan configuration.

Note: Policies and restrictions entered in Rate Setup will override those set up in Item Setup where common policies and restrictions exist and have been selected. Refer to Appendix A for policy descriptions and hierarchy, and Appendix B for restriction descriptions and hierarchy.

Tip: When adding policies, click the help icon to the right of the policy field to display the available policies along with descriptive text.

Complete the following steps to set up your rate properly. Fields marked as required, with a (red asterisk), must be completed before you can save the rate setup. Additional fields can be completed as necessary.

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Setting Up Rate Characteristics

Rate Setup Field Descriptions

Setting Up Rate Characteristics

To set up the rate characteristics use the following steps.

Add a new rate item using the steps in Adding Rate Types, or click the Rate Setup tab. The Rates screen appears.

Note: The Rate ID is automatically entered and cannot be changed. The next four fields are based on the description of the rate when you set it up. These fields can be changed.

As a minimum, you must complete the required fields.
If necessary, update rate name used in the booking engine and Call Center in Rate Name field.
In the Description field, enter a seamless text description of the rate to be displayed in the booking engine and Call Center.
In the Interface Rate Name field, enter the rate name going to the GDS (30 character maximum). Mandatory field if distributed to all channels.
In the Interface Description field, enter a seamless text rate description to be shown in the GDS (up to three lines; line 1 can be up to 30 characters; lines 2 and 3 can be up to 45 characters per including spaces). Mandatory field.
From the Currency drop-down list, select the currency in which the rate is loaded only if different than the default currency.
The External Reference field is used when upgrading a property from another CRS, or when a PMS interface is used. This code is used to refer to the previous CRS. This is only a placeholder and any code entered will not be used in this system.
Enter a Begin Sell date and End Sell (optional) date or click the Calendar icon to select the date from the drop-down calendar. It is important to note these dates only reflect the period of time when a rate can be sold for future stays; not the actual stay dates. Stay dates are defined via the inventory allocated through the calendar, or if the rate is indicated as sell with no inventory.

Tip: For certain rates, like your RACK and BAR, leave the End Sell date open so you do not have to continually update them.

Sell times: Begin Sell Time and End Sell time are optional fields to indicate which time of the date the rate should be available for sale. The time should be in a 24h format and should match the hotel's timezone.

Note: The Begin Active and End Active date fields can be used to define when a guest stay can occur.

From the Calculation Method drop-down list, select which method is used to calculate the rate (see Calculation Method Definitions for more information). Refer to the Rate Setup Field Descriptions table for additional field requirements.
For Timeslot Duration, use the default setting of 1 Days unless creating a package rate. When creating a package rate, select the number of days included in the package from the drop-down list. For example, for a "2" day package, you would set this to “2.” Then when the rate is displayed, it would show the price of the package on the first night (effectively the total stay rate).
From the Allow override of duration drop-down, select whether the timeslot duration can be adjusted from the drop-down list. Setting this to Yes for a package will allow additional nights to be sold using the extra night price.
If this is a Negotiated or Group rate, select the Requires Contract checkbox. If this box is unchecked, this rate will be publicly available.
Select the Notify checkbox to send a notification when any changes are made to this rate. Mandatory field if distributed to all channels. To receive notifications via email or PMS Interface, you must contact your Pegasus Representative to have this set up for you.

Note: To automatically select the Notify checkbox when creating a new rate plan, set the PMM - Default GDS Notify Y/N preference to Yes. If this has already been set for your property/chain, just double check that the notify checkbox is selected when building rates and items.

From the Primary Rate Category drop-down list, select the primary GDS rate category. This is for GDS purposes only.

(Optional) Select Additional Rate Categories to extend the rate’s visibility in a variety of rate searches. From the Additional Rate Categories list, select the additional rate categories (hold the Ctrl key down to select multiple categories). Click the -> button to move them to the selected categories list.
Enter or select the remaining field items as required, based on the descriptions in Rate Setup Field Descriptions table.
Once you have entered the required fields, click the Save button to save your rate setup.
Do one of the following:

Select another tab to continue setting up rates.
Select the Items option to add or modify inventory items.
Click the property name at the top of the screen to return to the Property Dashboard.

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Rate Setup Field Descriptions

Field	Description
Rate ID	Automatically entered for you and cannot be changed.
Rate Name	Used for the booking engine and Call Center.
Description	The seamless text description of the rate to be displayed in the booking engine and Call Center.
Interface Rate Name	The rate name going to the GDS: 30 character maximum. Mandatory field if distributed to all channels.
Interface Description	The seamless text rate description to be shown in the GDS up to three lines. Line 1: up to 30 characters. Lines 2 and 3: up to 45 characters per including spaces. Mandatory field.
Belongs To	System generated based on where rate is created in the Tree. If the rate needs to be moved to a different branch in the Tree, click the magnifying glass, and select the branch from the pop-up window. Then click Ok to save to that location.
Currency	The currency at which the rates will be distributed to all selected channels. (Initially, the default currency for your property will be displayed.)
External Reference	Used when upgrading a property from another CRS, or when a PMS interface is used. This code is used to refer to the previous CRS.
Begin Sell	This date only reflects the period of time when the rate can be sold for future stays; not the actual stay dates. Stay dates are defined via the inventory allocated through the calendar, or if the rate is indicated as sell with no inventory. Enter a Begin Sell date click the Calendar icon to select the date from the drop-down calendar.
End Sell	This date only reflects the period of time when the rate can be sold for future stays, not the actual stay dates. Enter an End Sell (optional) date, or click the Calendar icon to select the dates from a drop-down calendar.
Begin Active	This would be used to define the begin date for when a guest stay can occur.
End Active	This would be used to define the end date for when a guest stay can occur.
Calculation method	The method used to calculate the rate (see Calculation Method Definitions for more information). See below for additional details.
Calculation Parent (not shown)	Appears when a based on amount or percentage Calculation Method is selected. Click the Magnifying glass and select from the pop-up window the rate that will be used as the base rate.
Variable Calculation (not shown)	Appears when a based on amount or percentage Calculation Method is selected. Select the check box to allow the amount or percentage Calculation Method to vary by day of the week.
Calculation Amount (not shown)	Appears when a based on amount or percentage Calculation Method is selected. Enter an amount or as a percentage of the based on rate (for example, for a 30% discount, you would enter 70).
Rate Policy (not shown)	Appears when Based on a policy rate Calculation Method is selected. Select from the drop-down list whether a rate policy is to be applied (Rate Adjustment Policy).
Rate available for BAR	Selecting this checkbox will make this rate available for Best Available Rate calculations.
Rate not available for direct sale	Selecting this checkbox will make this rate available for rate indexing but it cannot be sold by itself.
Rate for sale (not shown)	Appears when calculation method is BAR, DBAR or Rate Indexing. Selecting this checkbox makes this rate available for sale.
Yield Rate?	Select this checkbox to enable the use of Yield Policy management of this rate.
Ignore Threshold?	Select this checkbox to ignore the rate amount threshold set at the property level.
Markup Calc Method	Not used.
Markup Amount	Not used.
Markup Basis	Not used.
Cost Calc Method	Not used.
Cost Amount	Not used.
Commission Calc Method	Use Inherited Value appears by default and will use the method selected (if any) when the property was initially configured under Name-Status-Set Up. If you want to set a different method for this rate, select your calculation method from the drop-down list.
Commission Amount	The commission amount (for example, percentage or flat amount).
Commission Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have an inherited policy. It will use the policy selected (if any) when the property was initially configured under Name-Status-Set Up or one inherited from the Chain Level. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select your commission policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if your property does not have a default set or the policy needs to be overridden.
Timeslot Duration	Select the default setting of 1 Days unless creating a package rate. When creating a package rate, select the number of days included in the package from the drop-down list. For example, for a 2 day package, you would set this to “2.” Then when the rate is displayed, it would show the price of the package on the first night (effectively the total stay rate).
Allow override of duration	Determines whether the timeslot duration can be adjusted from the drop-down list. Setting this to Yes for a package will allow additional nights to be sold using the extra night price.
Back to Back?	Selecting the checkbox will allow a multiple of a package to be booked where the number of nights booked is exactly divisible by the package rights.
Tax Included?	If checked, indicates that the tax is included in the rate.
Requires Contract?	Select this checkbox when this rate is associated with a contract. If this box is unchecked, this rate will be publicly available.
Allows Direct Bill?	Select this checkbox to apply direct bill as a guarantee option in the booking engine. Can only be used when this rate requires a contract and the Requires Contract checkbox is selected.
Confidential (Do Not Display amount)?	Selecting this checkbox will prevent this rate amount from showing anywhere other than on the property confirmation.
Freesell without inventory?	Selecting this checkbox will setup this rate with no sell limits. When selected uses the freesell option.
Notify	If selected, you will receive a notification when any changes are made to this rate. Mandatory field if distributed to all channels. To receive notifications via email or PMS Interface, you must contact your Pegasus Representative to have this set up for you. Note: To automatically select the Notify checkbox when creating a new rate plan, set the PMM - Default GDS Notify Y/N preference to Yes. If this has already been set for your property/chain, just double check that the notify checkbox is selected when building rates and items.
Force Confirmation?	Selecting this checkbox will force confirmations to be generated whenever this rate is booked (the destination is not managed here).
Allow External Changes?	Selecting this check box will allow modifications of you inventory and/or restrictions associated with this rate by a PMS or the rate upload performed by your Pegasus Representative. This function only works if you have a 2-way interface with your PMS.
Use Contract Description	Selecting this checkbox will cause the rate to display the contract short description in hotel notifications when a contract is associated with this rate.
Rate Change Rule	Sets rules that will affect changes to this rate. Calendar based rate changes option should be used where the rate is being distributed via electronic channels.
Discount Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you inherited a policy from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select your discount policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if the default policy needs to be overridden.
Cancel Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you set a default policy in Preferences (see Preferences) or inherited polices from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this item, select your cancellation policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if your property does not have a preference set or a preference policy needs to be overridden.
Guarantee/ Dep	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you set a default policy in Preferences (see Preferences) or inherited polices from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select your guarantee policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if your property does not have a preference set or a preference policy needs to be overridden.
Fee Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you inherited a policy from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select your fee policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if the default policy needs to be overridden.
Yield Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you inherited a policy from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, you must first select the Yield Rate? checkbox. Then select your yield policy from the drop-down list of available policies. Rate values will be automatically adjusted based on the rule and filters set, for example, Occupancy. A policy should be selected if the default policy needs to be overridden.
Overbooking Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you set a default policy in Preferences (see Preferences) or inherited polices from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select an overbooking policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if your property does not have a preference set or a preference policy needs to be overridden. From the drop-down list, select the policy for overselling of a rate by a predetermined value to get closer to 100% occupancy.
Rate Adjustment Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you inherited a policy from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select your rate adjustment policy from the drop-down list of available policies. If this is a based rate policy that can be adjusted by a fixed amount, or percentage based on when the guest is making their reservation, select the appropriate policy.
No Show Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you set a default policy in Preferences (see Preferences) or inherited polices from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select a no show policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if your property does not have a preference set or a preference policy needs to be overridden.
Early Checkout Policy	Use Inherited Value appears by default even if you do not have any inherited policies. If you set a default policy in Preferences (see Preferences) or inherited polices from the Chain Level, it will use that policy here. If you want to set a different policy for this rate, select your early checkout policy from the drop-down list of available policies. A policy should be selected if your property does not have a preference set or a preference policy needs to be overridden.
Primary Rate Category	Select the primary GDS rate category. This is for GDS purposes only.
Additional Rate Categories	You can attach multiple rate categories to extend a rate’s visibility in a variety of rate searches. Select additional rate categories from the list. Click the -> button to move them to the selected categories list.
Market Segment	Select one of the market segments to categorize this rate. This will vary by customer.
Marketing Message	This option allows you to specify a which marketing messages will accompany the rate plan and could be inserted into the confirmation display screen in the IBE and CCM, as well as other confirmation documents (fax, e-mail, etc.). Would only display those messages whose begin/end dates fall within the Sell dates for the rate. Select messages from the list. Click the >> button to move them to the selected messages list.
Rate Strategy Code	If created, you can select the rate strategy code for this rate plan from the drop-down list (for example, an “A” code could be for high-demand days, “B” for medium-demand days and “C” for low-demand days).
Billing Codes	If created, you can select an available billing code from the drop-down list to track this rate.
Limit Credit Cards	List of credit cards that have been set as being acceptable for use at your property. To limit the credit card types that can be used with this rate, select only the checkboxes for those credit cards you will accept when booking this rate. If all are left unchecked, all will be accepted for use.
Order	This sets the order that this rate is displayed in the Rate Calendar and in the Rate Tree within the "Belongs to" branch that it is assigned. This also controls the display order for the Call Center and the booking engine (when IBE Lodging Display Mode is set to Rate Centric) unless overridden in the Channels tab.
Minimum Length of Stay	Default value for your minimum length of stay.
Maximum Length of Stay	Default value for your maximum length of stay.
Minimum Advance Book	Minimum number of days in advance this rate plan must be booked prior to arrival.
Maximum Advance Book	Maximum number of days in advance this rate plan must be booked prior to arrival.
Minimum Occupancy	Default value for your minimum occupancy.
Maximum Occupancy	Default value for your maximum occupancy.
Max Adults	Enter the maximum number of adults that can be associated with this rate.
Max Children	Enter the maximum number of children that can be associated with this rate.
Meal Plan	From the drop-down list, select a meal plan policy that would be included in this rate. You must first have an available Meal Plan Policy or create a Meal Plan Policy (see Policies).
Meal Plan Inclusion	Select the Inc In Rate checkbox to include the meal plan in the rate amount. If not checked, the Meal Plan Policy itself should include the cost of the meal plan and the meal plan cost is displayed in the information windows in the booking engine and Call Center. If the cost of the meal plan is to be added to the rate amount, select the Add To Rate checkbox. If the checkbox is not selected, the cost of the meal plan is not included in the rate amount.
Strikethrough Calculation Method	If choosing to display discounted rates with a strikethrough, select the calculation method used as a basis for this rate. • None – no strikethrough • Parent – based off a calculation of a parent rate • Policy – based off a discount policy
Close to Arrival	Click to select days of the week that will be closed to arrival.
Default Rate	Appears in Rate Setup for an Item/Rate intersection. Enter the lowest rate that can be offered (basement rate).
Max Rate	Appears in the Rate Setup for an Item/Rate intersection. You enter the maximum rate that would be displayed (ceiling rate). This would override the current rate value displayed.

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