Introduction to Item Events (Classic Items)

Item Events let you control pricing, availability, and rules over time - so your inventory can be dynamic, responsive, and optimized for demand.

In this brief introduction, learn about Item Events, including the difference between open and closed inventory.

Accessing the features mentioned in this article

Where can I find this feature using the top menu?

• Inventory > Item Events
   

What more do I need to use this feature?

• Admin or restricted permissions to View events and rules and Manage events and rules.
   

Which Checkfront version supports this feature - Classic Items, Classic Products, or both?

• Your account must have access to classic items (Inventory > Items), a key feature of our Classic Items version of Checkfront. 

Learn more about items Find step-by-step answers to frequently asked questions for classic items here: Item Builder FAQ (Classic Items)

Checkfront supports two inventory models:

• Open Inventory – Items are available by default, year-round. You then use Item Events to close out dates (for example, closing tours during winter holidays).
• Closed Inventory – Items are unavailable by default. You then use Item Events to open availability (for example, making a cabin bookable only from June through September).

Without Item Events, your items would remain available 365 days a year at a fixed base price.

 

Understanding Item Events

Item Events give you control over availability and pricing. Instead of every item being available year-round at one fixed price, Item Events let you adjust availability and rates based on dates, seasons, or special rules.

With Item Events, you can:

• Adjust pricing dynamically — For example, raise rates by 20% in December or discount mid-week rentals.
• Create seasonal pricing — Add high-season and low-season price points to reflect demand.
• Control availability — Open inventory for specific dates, or block out items when they shouldn’t be bookable.
• Apply booking rules — Enforce policies such as requiring a minimum of 2 guests on Fridays in May.
   

Item events can apply globally Item Events can apply globally across your entire inventory, specific categories, or individual items.

Learn more about discounts For a detailed look at creating discounts, check out the following article: Introduction to discount and voucher codes (Classic Products)

Getting started with item events for classic items

1. Go to the Item Events section in your Checkfront dashboard (under the classic Items module).
2. Create a new event and set a name, start date, and end date.
3. Choose whether the event affects availability or price (or both).
4. Specify which items or categories this event should apply to.
5. Enter the rate adjustment (fixed value or percentage) if it’s a pricing event.
6. Enable or disable the event as needed.
7. Save the event and test it by checking item availability or pricing on your booking page.
8. If needed, adjust or delete the event based on your test results.

Next Steps

Once you’re comfortable with the basics above, check out these deeper-dive articles:

• Creating an item event (Classic)
• Sorting item events by status (Classic)
• Sorting item events by type (Classic)
• Sorting item events by category (Classic)
• Searching item events (Classic)
• Working with item event data columns (Classic)
• Exporting item events (Classic)

Each article walks you step-by-step through that specific feature.

Learn how to create item events with the next article in this series.

Creating an Item Event >