How do I block/unblock dates on my calendar?

This guide will show you how to find your Travelnest calendar and how to manually block dates when your property is unavailable or when you already have bookings from other sources. Additionally, you'll learn how to avoid blocking too many dates to prevent your listings from becoming inactive on the booking sites. 

Good to know: If you choose to list your property with Travelnest on Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Holidu, and HomeToGo, all your listings will be synchronised with your Travelnest calendar automatically. 

However, if you take direct bookings from your site or have separate listings outside of Travelnest (such as directly with Airbnb or Booking.com), you will need to connect those calendars to the Travelnest calendar. You can do this via our iCal synchronisation tool or by manually blocking dates to avoid double bookings.

Double bookings can upset guests and lead to hefty cancellation and relocation fees. These fees are charged by the booking sites and are beyond our control.

How to maintain your listings active with us on booking sites

To maintain an active listing on Travelnest, it's important to have at least 90 days of availability per year. Many booking sites we work with don't list properties that offer less than 90 days of bookable dates within a 12-month period. Failing to meet this requirement may cause your listing to become inactive.

We recommend setting up availability and pricing for the next 12-24 months. This strategy not only ensures your property appears in more searches but also maximises your booking potential. 

Travelnest tip: If you prefer to avoid manually updating your pricing for your property, we highly recommend turning on our Smart Pricing feature. This tool will automatically adjust your listing prices based on local market trends, ensuring your rates stay competitive for a period of 12 months.

For further information on how to add and adjust pricing, refer to our detailed guide.

How to find your Travelnest calendar

There are two ways to view your Travelnest calendar. The first option is to click on 'Properties' from your homepage, then select the property whose calendar you would like to view. Next, scroll down to 'Booking Availability' under 'Edit Description' and 'Set Availability'. Finally, click 'Edit' to view your property's calendar.

The second option is to view your Travelnest calendar from your homepage. Click on 'Calendar', and you'll be taken to your calendar view. From there, use the drop-down menu to select the property whose calendar you would like to see. 

How to manually block dates on your Travelnest calendar 

1.Log in to your Travelnest account and, from your Home page, click 'Calendar'. If you have multiple properties, you’ll see a drop-down box above the calendar where you can choose the calendar for each specific property.

2. Once you've selected a property, you can block dates manually. Click on the dates you want to block on your calendar. They will turn grey with a diagonal line - see the example where the 9th, 10th, and 11th of November are blocked. Then click 'Blocked' and 'Confirm' to save. 

For instance, we blocked three nights for 'Pam’s Mansion by the Sea', as shown next to the calendar.

3. To unblock dates on your calendar, just select the dates you previously blocked, click on 'Available', and then 'Confirm' to save.

How to block and unblock a large date range

In the 'Additional calendar features' section beneath your calendar, you'll find the 'Block a large date range' option. 

If you need to block a specific range of dates, click on the 'Start date' box and select the date from which you want to start blocking. Then, add the 'End date'. 

As soon as you've chosen these dates, your calendar will automatically display how many nights you've blocked. All you need to do next is click on 'Blocked', followed by 'Confirm' to save your changes.

If you wish to unblock the same dates, simply select those specific dates once again, then click on 'Available' followed by 'Confirm' to save your changes.

Frequently asked questions

1. What happens if I manually unblock dates that are synced on my Travelnest calendar?

A: Any changes you make on your calendar will replace the synced events. So, any dates you open up on your Travelnest calendar should also be opened up on the calendar it's synced with.

2. What will happen to the changes I make in my Travelnest calendar?

A: Any changes you make to your Travelnest calendar will automatically update on all the booking sites where you're advertising your property through Travelnest. You can find these booking sites in the 'Marketing' or 'Fees and Channels' options from the side menu on your Home page.

3. What happens if I need to cancel a booking?

A. As outlined in our Terms and Conditions, we reserve the right to charge you a £50 admin fee, per cancelled booking, where a double booking has arisen as a result of a failure to use iCal or block externally booked or unavailable dates manually. To avoid this fee, connect your calendars with iCal and block any unavailable dates manually.

If you need assistance to cancel a booking, please read our guide here for instructions.