Plan Availability: ✓ Soho | ✓ Pro | ✓ Plus | ✓ Enterprise | ✓ Flex |
Locate: Manage > Setup > Configuration
Prerequisites:
- An Admin account is required to view and access the Setup menu option.
- The Setup page applies to both those using items (Inventory > Items), a key feature of our classic version of Checkfront, and those using products (Inventory > Products), a key feature of our newest version of Checkfront.
![]() |
New to Checkfront - Products ✨ Products (Inventory > Products) is the successor feature to (Inventory > Items) and is available in our newest version of Checkfront. Not yet on our newest version and interested in upgrading? Please contact our Technical Support team for more information. Discover more product-related help articles here: Products (New). |
In this article, we look at accessing and configuring options within the Configuration tab on the Setup page.
New to the Setup page and its options? Be sure to read the first article in this series for an introduction!
Please read the full series of articles, accessed at the side and bottom of this page, to learn more about each tab.
Determining system defaults within the configuration tab
Back to topThe Configuration page enables you to set default options that are global to your system. You can configure the default item allocation and status, as well as, define your system's default length for bookings.
System Defaults
Back to topThis section enables you to set some basic defaults for system-wide operation.
- Allocation (items only)
Back to topThe allocation settings determine how your system prices and allocates your item inventory. Checkfront supports nightly, daily, and hourly allocations.
![]() |
Allocation can also be configured on a per-item from the Inventory menu. Learn more here: Products do not use this item allocation setting. How they are booked is set up in a product's Availability tab. Learn more here: |
- Hourly Option (items only)
Back to topIf you have selected the hourly option, then continue to the Calendar setup page to define your hours of operation. These are used in the time dropdown when making a booking.
- Length
Back to topDetermines the default length of a booking. This defines the number of nights, days, or hours that are preselected on the Booking Page when a booking is made.
- Staff Status
Back to topDetermines the default status when a new booking is created by a Staff member. Includes Pending, Reserved, and Waiting, as well as any custom statuses as options.
![]() |
Once payment is applied, then the status is either Deposit or Paid, regardless of the option set here. |
![]() |
By default, the status of Waiting does NOT lock an item or product in your inventory. |
![]() |
Learn more about Booking Statuses and how they work here: |
- Customer Status
Back to topThis is the default status used by the system when a new booking is created by a Customer. Includes Pending, Reserved, and Waiting, as well as any custom statuses as options.
![]() |
Once payment is applied, then the status is either Deposit or Paid, regardless of the option set here. |
![]() |
By default, the status of Waiting does NOT lock an item or product in your inventory. |
![]() |
Learn more about Booking Statuses and how they work here: |
- Partner Status
Back to topThis is the default status when a new booking is created by a Partner account. Includes Pending, Reserved, and Waiting, as well as any custom statuses as options.
![]() |
Once payment is applied, then the status is either Deposit or Paid, regardless of the option set here. |
![]() |
By default, the status of Waiting does NOT lock an item or product in your inventory. |
![]() |
Learn more about Booking Statuses and how they work here: |
- Free Status
Back to topThis is the default status used by the system when a new booking has an invoice balance of zero.
- Email Bounce Notifications
Back to topOn rare occasions, notifications that are sent to your Customers can bounce. This most often occurs if an invalid email address is entered or your Customer's inbox places your email into the junk or spam folder.
This checkbox allows you to opt-in to receive notifications when a sent email bounces. When it is active, the company email address is sent an email notifying them of any email bounces.
![]() |
Learn more about the company email address and resolving email bounces here: |
Booking Parameters (items only)
Back to topShould you use items, then an additional Booking Parameters section displays.
These parameters determine how your item inventory is booked, priced, and allocated. You can add and remove parameters as needed, but remember these options impact your system globally.
By default, you need a minimum of one booking parameter for an item. Each parameter has several flags that determine how the parameter is used.
![]() |
Products use guest types instead of parameters. Learn more about each here: |
Creating a new parameter (items only)
Back to topTo create a new parameter when using items, click on the + Add button in the Booking Parameters section. The options in the resulting pop-up window are described below.
- Name
Back to topTitle to be displayed on your booking page, e.g. Adults. This is also shown in some reports.
You can edit the Report ID by clicking on the current label, making the required change, and then clicking on the blue checkmark button. Note that the Report ID is only possible to change when initially creating a parameter and not at a later time.
- Default Value
Back to topDefault quantity for the parameter when making a booking. The default value is automatically added to all bookings in the system for items to which the parameter is attached.
- Guest
Back to topThe 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.
![]() |
Learn more about the Guest Form integration and how to use it here: |
- Pricing
Back to topAllows a price to be set for this parameter when creating or editing an item.
- Range
Back to topIf there are multiple price points for the item, then you can show this value in a range (e.g. $99 child - $189 adult).
- Controls Inventory
Back to topIf chosen during booking, then the parameter removes the selected value from the item's inventory.
- Required
Back to topSets the value to have a mandatory minimum of 1 for the booking to proceed.
- Visibility
Back to top• Customers & Staff: Parameter is visible to all during the booking process.
• Staff Only: Only Staff members can see and access the parameter during the booking process.
• Hidden to All: Parameter is not visible to either Staff members or Customers.
Selecting a parameter for use in the Item Builder
Back to topOnce a new parameter is created, it becomes available in the Attributes tab of your items. You can select the parameter for use from the Attach an existing Parameter button and then click Save.
Upon doing this, a new pricing band is added to the item's Pricing tab. This enables you to configure how much you wish to charge if that parameter is selected during booking.
Parameter Sorting (items only)
Back to topYou can sort the order in which parameters are displayed 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 Save.
In the next article, we look at the options located in the Calendar tab.
< Setting up your account locale | Setting up your account calendar >