One of the issues with Gift Certificates is they feel they do not need to give you a credit card as the room is already paid for. They then feel that no rules apply to them.
On the GC's I have a Policies line that GC's are subject to the same policies as all reservations. It is really nice IF they can book the GC online and agree to your policies, but typically they are phone calls.
I just had a lady call to rebook her room for this weekend - tomorrow night! (2 nights). She did not have another date in mind, she just couldn't make it and wanted to reschedule. I suggested she hand it off to someone else who could enjoy the stay.
In the past, year one, I had a guest who would simply reschedule and pop the reservation forward over and over. Me, being the nice new innkeeper wanting everyone to be happy even when they tread all over you - allowed this. We lost bookings due to it. We have policies for a reason, when we bend them it bites us in the butt.
So I stuck to my guns and told her that is all we can do at this late notice.
On the GC's I have a Policies line that GC's are subject to the same policies as all reservations. It is really nice IF they can book the GC online and agree to your policies, but typically they are phone calls.
I just had a lady call to rebook her room for this weekend - tomorrow night! (2 nights). She did not have another date in mind, she just couldn't make it and wanted to reschedule. I suggested she hand it off to someone else who could enjoy the stay.
In the past, year one, I had a guest who would simply reschedule and pop the reservation forward over and over. Me, being the nice new innkeeper wanting everyone to be happy even when they tread all over you - allowed this. We lost bookings due to it. We have policies for a reason, when we bend them it bites us in the butt.
So I stuck to my guns and told her that is all we can do at this late notice.