Glossary

This Glossary is provided to users of the website as a guide to terms and information they may find helpful. Definitions are added, edited or removed occasionally.

No Smoking

In most jurisdictions, guests are not allowed to smoke in properties or anywhere inside the buildings. Usually there are rules that prohibit smoking within a certain distance of the building or its entrance ways or that prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds. Most owners of lodging facilities prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds or in the building
See also: Smoking Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Non-Cancelable

When a booking for lodging property use is non-cancelable it means the guest must pay for and is not entitled to a refund even if they request a cancellation. This is similar to non-cancelable bookings for airfare and other travel services.
See also: Re-Sellable Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Normal Occupancy

The number of registered occupants for which the normal rental rate applies. There are per-day fees for each disclosed or undisclosed guest over the normal Occupancy.
See also: Sleeps Occupancy, Maximum Occupancy, Disclosed Guest, Undisclosed Guest, Drop-in Guest Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Obscured Rent by Owner (RBO)

When a website makes a property owners identify hidden thereby requiring guests to only communicate through their website dashboard, the rental is Obscure.
See also: Rent by Owner, Rbo Origin: May, William Link: VRIA.org

Occupant

A person of any age who enters a lodging unit at any time; or enters the property or resort on which it sits. Includes overnight guests but also drop-in visitors.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Ocean Front Accommodations

Buildings or rooms and living units in a building which is along side the ocean shore. Can be major oceans or estuaries. Generally means there are no other buildings between the building and the water. Not necessarily Beach Front.
See also: Beach Front Origin: Vacation Rental Association

OTA - Online Travel Agent

Websites where guests can book lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services online. OTA's utilize Global Distribution Services (GDS) to display services and then to confirm them with the travel provider. Examples of OTA's are Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Hotels.com but there are many others offering the same services.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

OTA - Open Travel Alliance

An organization that engineers computer and technical specifications to ensure traveler and supplier information flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. Membership includes major hotels, airlines and Global Distribution Firms.
Origin: OpenTravel.org Link: OpenTravel.org

Out Clean Fee

A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate that is charged to renters to cover the cost of cleaning the property after departure.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Out Cleaning

Vacation rental homes are usually cleaned after the guest departs, this is referred to as an Out Clean. Usually there is a one time fee for this service.
See also: Out Cleaning Fee, Interim Clean, Housekeeping Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Overages

Charges to the Guests for additional rent, activities, services, housekeeping or repairs that are greater than appeared on the guest's original estimated charges.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Package

A fixed price travel product that makes it easy for a traveler to buy and enjoy a destination or several destinations. Packages offer a mix of elements like transportation, accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, cultural activities, sightseeing and car rental.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

PayPal

A fast and convenient online payment service.
Origin: Plumbob Publishing

PayPal

A fast and convenient online payment service. People like the convenience of this service since money is transferred automatically over the internet, directly from their credit card or personal checking account.
Origin: Redstone Systems

Peak Season

The primary travel season when occupancy and rates are the highest
See also: Travel Seasons, Low Season, Shoulder Season Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Per Person Pricing (PPP)

Often used for Vacation Rental homes, a pricing model where a minimum nightly rate is set for a property allowing a base or normal number of occupants. Guests pay an additional fee for each guest over the normal, up to a maximum number of guests allowed in the property. The additional fee is often much higher for unapproved guests.
See also: Dynamic Rates Origin: Istay

Pet Deposit

Should a lodging facility allow for pets they may require the guest to pay a significant deposit to cover any damage or excessive cleaning necessitated by the pets occupancy. Pet Deposits are usually refundable if no damage or effect occurs
See also: Pet Fee, Pet Friendly, No Pets, Pet Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Pet Fee

If a lodging property allows guests to bring pets, they may charge a fee, usually daily, for that privilege. Generally guests are also responsible for any damage they may cause.
See also: Pet Friendly, No Pets, Pet Deposit, Pet Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Pet Friendly

A lodging unit which allows pets in the facility and on the grounds. There is often a deposit and/or a daily fee for allowing pets.
See also: No Pets Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Pet Penalty

When a guest brings a pet to a facility designated as No Pets, a penalty fee is charged. To discourage unapproved pets, pet penalties are usually significant and utilized to retreat a room to counteract the presence of the pet and provide additional cleaning.
See also: Pet penalty, Pet Friendly, No Pets Origin: Vacation Rental Association

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

DETAILS: Glossaries and Dictionaries are handy tools. They provide an indication of meaning but additional study may be necessary to comprehend the full meaning. There may be alternate definitions not included here and experts may disagree on the proper explanation of each term.

SUBMIT: Please send missing terms to this website publisher for possible inclusion. Submissions may not be answered and the publisher does not guarantee that the submission will be considered or included.