The Configuration tab in Setup lets you define global defaults and system behavior that affect bookings, inventory allocation, statuses, and item parameters. Proper configuration ensures consistent booking behavior and reduces the need for manual adjustments later.
Learn how to access and configure options, including item allocation, status, and item parameters, within the Configuration tab on the Setup page.
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New to Setup? Read the first article in this series for an introduction to Setup. |
Accessing the features mentioned in this article
Where can I find this feature using the top menu?
- Manage > Setup > Configuration
What more do I need to use this feature?
- An Admin account is required to view and access the Setup menu option.
Which Checkfront version supports this feature - classic items, classic products, or both?
- This feature is available in both our classic items version (Inventory > Items) and our classic products version (Inventory > Products). → Learn more about products
Determining system defaults within the configuration tab
The Configuration page enables you to set global default options for your system. You can configure the default item allocation and status, as well as define your system's default booking length.
This section lets you set basic defaults for system-wide operation.
Allocating inventory (items only)
The Allocation settings determine how your system prices and allocates your item inventory. Checkfront supports nightly, daily, and hourly allocations.
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Configuring allocation You can configure allocation on a per-item basis from the Inventory menu. Learn more here: Products do not use this item allocation setting. You can find availability settings under the product's Availability tab within the Product Builder. Learn more here: |
Hourly Option (items only)
If you select the hourly option from the Allocation setting, you can continue to the Calendar setup page to define your hours of operation. These are used in the time dropdown when making a booking.
Setting the default length of a booking
The Length settings determine a booking's default length by defining the number of nights, days, or hours preselected on the Booking Page when someone makes a booking.
Setting the default status for Staff bookings
The Staff Status setting determines the default status assigned to a Staff member when they create a new booking. It includes Pending, Reserved, Waiting, and any custom statuses.
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Applying payment Once payment is applied, the status is either Deposit or Paid, regardless of the option set here. |
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Waiting status does not lock inventory By default, the status of Waiting does NOT lock an item or product in your inventory. |
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What is a booking status? A booking status acts as a visual label and functional state for each booking in your system. |
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Learn more about statuses For a detailed look at Booking Statuses and how they work, check out the following article series: |
Setting the default status for Customer bookings
This setting communicates the system's default status when a Customer creates a new booking. It includes Pending, Reserved, Waiting, and any custom statuses.
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Applying payment Once payment is applied, the status is either Deposit or Paid, regardless of the option set here. |
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Waiting status does not lock inventory By default, the status of Waiting does NOT lock an item or product in your inventory. |
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What is a booking status? A booking status acts as a visual label and functional state for each booking in your system. |
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Learn more about statuses For a detailed look at Booking Statuses and how they work, check out the following article series: |
Setting the default status for Partner bookings
The Partner Status setting determines the default status of a Partner account when creating a new booking. It includes Pending, Reserved, and Waiting, along with any custom statuses.
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Applying payment Once payment is applied, the status is either Deposit or Paid, regardless of the option set here. |
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Waiting status does not lock inventory By default, the status of Waiting does NOT lock an item or product in your inventory. |
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What is a booking status? A booking status acts as a visual label and functional state for each booking in your system. |
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Learn more about statuses For a detailed look at Booking Statuses and how they work, check out the following article series: |
Setting the default status for free bookings
The Free Status setting is the system's default status when a new booking has a zero invoice balance.
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What is a booking status? A booking status acts as a visual label and functional state for each booking in your system. |
Receiving email notifications for email bounces
On rare occasions, notifications sent to your Customers can bounce. Bounces often occur when an invalid email address or your Customer's inbox causes your email program to direct email into the junk or spam folder.
The Email Bounce Notifications checkbox lets you choose to receive alerts when an email you send bounces. When enabled, your account's company email address (Manage > Setup > Company > Email Address) receives email notifications for any email bounces.
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Learn more email addresses For a detailed look at the company email address and resolving email bounces, check out the following articles: |
Setting staff assignments on your calendar
Control whether the system displays the Staff assignment drop-down menu within the Assignment side drawer in the Daily Manifest (Booking > Daily Manifest > Assign).
- Select Show staff assignment on calendars settings to display the Staff assignment drop-down menu (default).
- De-select the Show staff assignment on calendars setting to hide the Staff assignment drop-down menu.
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Learn more about assignments from the daily manifest Learn more about the Assignment side panel here: |
Managing booking parameters (items only)
If you use items, an additional Booking Parameters section appears.
These parameters determine how to book, price, and allocate your item inventory. You can add and remove parameters as needed, but please note that these options affect your system globally.
By default, an item needs at least one booking parameter.
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Learn more about products Products use guest types instead of parameters. Learn more about each here: |
Creating new parameters (items only)
To create a new parameter when using items, click the + Add button in the Booking Parameters section. You can find the options in the pop-up window that appears as described below.
Naming booking parameters
The Name is the title displayed on your booking page, e.g., Adults. The system displays this value in some internal reports.
You can edit the Report ID by clicking on the current label, making the required change, and clicking the blue checkmark button. Note that the Report ID can only be changed when creating a parameter for the first time.
Specifying the default quantity for booking parameters
The Default Value is the parameter's default quantity when booking. It is added automatically to all bookings for items attached to the parameter.
Linking parameters to booking form fields
The Guest field enables you to link the parameter to your booking form fields and populate them based on the number of Guests in the booking. To use this option, you must first activate the Guest Form integration from within your Booking Manager.
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Learn more about the Guest Form For a detailed look at the Guest Form integration and how to use it, check out the following article series: |
Pricing booking parameters
The Pricing setting allows you to set a price for this parameter when creating or editing an item.
Showing multiple price point ranges
If the item has multiple price points, you can show this value as a Range (e.g., $99 child - $189 adult).
Controlling inventory
The Controls Inventory setting determines whether the system removes inventory from the item's inventory when someone books the item.
Requiring mandatory minimums
The Required field lets you require the parameter to have a minimum value of 1 for the booking to proceed.
• Customers & Staff: The parameter is visible during the booking process.
• Staff Only: Only Staff members can see and access the parameter during the booking process.
• Hidden to All: The parameter is not visible to either Staff members or Customers.
Selecting a parameter for use in the Item Builder
Once you have created a new parameter, it becomes available in the Attributes tab of your items. Select the parameter from the Attach an existing Parameter button and click the Save button.
Upon doing this, the system adds a new pricing row to the item's Pricing tab. The new pricing row lets you configure how much to charge if Customers select that parameter during booking.
Parameter Sorting (items only)
You can sort the order in which parameters display in the front end by clicking the pattern of dots to the left of the parameter, dragging it into place on the list, and selecting the Save button.
Next Steps
You can learn more about account calendar settings with the following article in this series.
< Setting up your account locale | Setting up your account calendar >