User Story
As a host,
I want an intuitive calendar function to manage my property’s availability and bookings,
so that I can effectively schedule reservations and avoid double bookings.
Acceptance Criteria
[ ] Calendar View:
The calendar displays a monthly view with color-coded indicators for booked, available, and blocked dates.
Users can toggle between daily, weekly, and monthly views for better flexibility in managing availability.
[ ] Booking Management:
Hosts can click on any date to view details of existing bookings, including guest names, check-in/check-out dates, and payment status.
The calendar allows hosts to add new bookings directly from the calendar interface.
[ ] Availability Management:
Hosts can easily mark dates as available or unavailable with a single click.
An option to block dates for personal use or maintenance is available, with a prompt to confirm the action.
[ ] Sync with External Calendars:
The calendar function allows integration with external calendars (e.g., Google Calendar, iCal) to synchronize bookings and avoid double bookings.
Users can export the calendar to their preferred calendar application.
[ ] Notifications and Reminders:
Hosts receive notifications for upcoming bookings, including reminders for check-in and check-out times.
Customizable settings allow hosts to choose how and when they receive notifications (e.g., email, SMS).
[ ] Seasonal Pricing and Adjustments:
Hosts can set different pricing for specific dates or seasons directly from the calendar view.
Automatic alerts remind hosts to update prices based on upcoming high-demand periods.
[ ] Mobile Responsiveness:
The calendar function is fully functional on mobile devices, allowing hosts to manage availability and bookings on the go.
[ ] Clear Instructions and Help Section:
Include a help section within the calendar interface that provides guidance on how to use all calendar features.
Tooltips and hover-over explanations for each feature help users understand their options.
What-If Scenarios
[ ] What if a host accidentally marks a date as unavailable?
Implement an “Undo” feature that allows hosts to quickly revert their last action or provide a confirmation prompt before finalizing the change.
[ ] What if a guest requests a booking for a date that is already booked?
The system should display a notification indicating the date is unavailable and suggest alternative dates based on the host’s availability.
[ ] What if a host wants to block off multiple consecutive days?
Allow hosts to select a range of dates on the calendar and block them all at once, rather than needing to do so individually.
[ ] What if the host’s external calendar sync fails?
Provide clear error messages and a troubleshooting guide to help the host resolve sync issues, along with an option to manually update their availability.
[ ] What if a host receives a last-minute booking request?
Ensure the calendar updates in real time to reflect the new booking and send instant notifications to the host.
[ ] What if a host needs to adjust their availability based on unexpected events (e.g., weather, maintenance)?
Allow hosts to quickly block off dates or make adjustments and notify guests automatically if their bookings are affected.
[ ] What if there are conflicting bookings from different platforms?
Implement alerts for the host when a new booking request conflicts with an existing reservation and prevent double bookings by updating the calendar automatically.
[ ] What if a host wants to set up a recurring block (e.g., for regular maintenance)?
Provide options for hosts to block recurring dates (e.g., every first Monday of the month) with an easy setup interface.
[ ] What if a host wants to see how their availability impacts booking rates?
Include an analytics section that correlates availability changes with booking rates over time, providing insights into optimal availability practices.
[ ] What if a host has questions or needs assistance with the calendar function?
Implement a chat support feature or a help button that connects them to customer support for immediate assistance.
This Calendar Function facilitates effective management of property availability and bookings for hosts, helping them to optimize their rental operations while providing a smooth experience for guests.
As a host, I want to manage my accommodation's availability and set dynamic pricing based on dates, so I can adjust rates for peak and off-peak seasons to maximize my revenue.
Example mapping
What if the host doesn’t set dynamic pricing for certain dates?
The system should apply default pricing and suggest dynamic rates based on historical data or demand factors (e.g., local events, holidays).
What if there is a peak season or special event?
The system should automatically recommend higher prices for peak periods, but allow the host to modify or accept the suggested rates.
What if the host has overlapping availability settings for different accommodations?
The system should highlight potential conflicts and prompt the host to resolve them (e.g., by adjusting dates or availability).
What if the host wants to block off dates last minute?
The host should be able to quickly block out dates with immediate effect and notify affected bookings, if necessary.
What if the host sets prices too low or too high for a given period?
The system should provide feedback or alerts if pricing is significantly lower or higher than the market average for similar accommodations during that period, suggesting adjustments.
What if the host manages multiple properties?
The calendar should allow the host to filter or view dynamic pricing for each individual property and switch between them easily.
What if there is a system error or downtime when setting prices?
An error message should be displayed, and the system should prompt the host to retry, ensuring that any unsaved changes are highlighted for action.
What if the host wants to view their pricing strategy over a longer period?
The calendar should provide monthly, quarterly, or yearly views to allow hosts to plan and manage prices over extended periods.
Accept criteria
[ ] The calendar tab should allow the host to mark dates when the accommodation is available or unavailable.
[ ] The host should be able to set dynamic pricing for specific dates or date ranges (e.g., higher rates during peak season, lower rates during off-peak season).
[ ] The system should automatically suggest dynamic pricing based on predefined factors (e.g., high demand periods, holidays).
[ ] The host should be able to override suggested dynamic prices with custom pricing.
[ ] Visual indicators should differentiate between regular, peak, and discounted prices on the calendar (e.g., different colors or symbols).
[ ] The host should receive a notification or alert if there are conflicting availability dates (e.g., double bookings).
[ ] The pricing changes should be automatically saved and applied to relevant booking platforms or APIs connected to the accommodation listing.
[ ] Hosts should be able to export their calendar and pricing data as a CSV or PDF file for record-keeping.
[ ] If no dynamic pricing is set, default pricing should apply, and the system should provide guidance on how to optimize pricing.
Host Onboarding v3: Listing Calendar Availability
User Story As a host, I want an intuitive calendar function to manage my property’s availability and bookings, so that I can effectively schedule reservations and avoid double bookings.
Acceptance Criteria
[ ] Calendar View: The calendar displays a monthly view with color-coded indicators for booked, available, and blocked dates. Users can toggle between daily, weekly, and monthly views for better flexibility in managing availability.
[ ] Booking Management: Hosts can click on any date to view details of existing bookings, including guest names, check-in/check-out dates, and payment status. The calendar allows hosts to add new bookings directly from the calendar interface.
[ ] Availability Management: Hosts can easily mark dates as available or unavailable with a single click. An option to block dates for personal use or maintenance is available, with a prompt to confirm the action.
[ ] Sync with External Calendars: The calendar function allows integration with external calendars (e.g., Google Calendar, iCal) to synchronize bookings and avoid double bookings. Users can export the calendar to their preferred calendar application.
[ ] Notifications and Reminders: Hosts receive notifications for upcoming bookings, including reminders for check-in and check-out times. Customizable settings allow hosts to choose how and when they receive notifications (e.g., email, SMS).
[ ] Seasonal Pricing and Adjustments: Hosts can set different pricing for specific dates or seasons directly from the calendar view. Automatic alerts remind hosts to update prices based on upcoming high-demand periods.
[ ] Mobile Responsiveness: The calendar function is fully functional on mobile devices, allowing hosts to manage availability and bookings on the go.
[ ] Clear Instructions and Help Section: Include a help section within the calendar interface that provides guidance on how to use all calendar features. Tooltips and hover-over explanations for each feature help users understand their options.
What-If Scenarios
[ ] What if a host accidentally marks a date as unavailable? Implement an “Undo” feature that allows hosts to quickly revert their last action or provide a confirmation prompt before finalizing the change.
[ ] What if a guest requests a booking for a date that is already booked? The system should display a notification indicating the date is unavailable and suggest alternative dates based on the host’s availability.
[ ] What if a host wants to block off multiple consecutive days? Allow hosts to select a range of dates on the calendar and block them all at once, rather than needing to do so individually.
[ ] What if the host’s external calendar sync fails? Provide clear error messages and a troubleshooting guide to help the host resolve sync issues, along with an option to manually update their availability.
[ ] What if a host receives a last-minute booking request? Ensure the calendar updates in real time to reflect the new booking and send instant notifications to the host.
[ ] What if a host needs to adjust their availability based on unexpected events (e.g., weather, maintenance)? Allow hosts to quickly block off dates or make adjustments and notify guests automatically if their bookings are affected.
[ ] What if there are conflicting bookings from different platforms? Implement alerts for the host when a new booking request conflicts with an existing reservation and prevent double bookings by updating the calendar automatically.
[ ] What if a host wants to set up a recurring block (e.g., for regular maintenance)? Provide options for hosts to block recurring dates (e.g., every first Monday of the month) with an easy setup interface.
[ ] What if a host wants to see how their availability impacts booking rates? Include an analytics section that correlates availability changes with booking rates over time, providing insights into optimal availability practices.
[ ] What if a host has questions or needs assistance with the calendar function? Implement a chat support feature or a help button that connects them to customer support for immediate assistance. This Calendar Function facilitates effective management of property availability and bookings for hosts, helping them to optimize their rental operations while providing a smooth experience for guests.