Hotel Booking System

the best approach?

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I have an enquiry from a client who needs a website for his hotel. He wants to incorporate an online booking system. There are of course many solutions available for this on a subscriber basis but he would prefer to use his own.

Is there any such (ready to go) system that can take secure credit card details for processing by the hotel reception on their standard PDQ machine? This would operate like the regular booking method where no actual money would be taken from the CC account until the client completes their stay.

It would have to include an option to take payment in event of a late cancellation under the terms of the booking. It would probably also have to include an interface that allows the hotel to update their room inventory themselves.

I appreciate that there would be a cost involved in this but I am willing to pay for a commercial solution.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Honestly, I am willing to pay :)

[JamaicanFood]

This is a tricky thing B, i would advise you to look on Worldspan or even Sabre has the booking software for this.

What actually happens is that you can turn on or turn off pre-authorization of the CC but Im not so sure about thelate cancellation charge I would advise you to really do that from an unautomated scenario, so you dont get anybody MAD.

You could also try UTELL, they just require you guys to purchase the system. Depending on the size of the hotel I would suggest UTELL for over 200-300 rooms but use WSPAN or SABRE for the smaller hotels.

The system is really great though we are in the process of looking for one for a project for 2008. What would be great if there are any Germans here would have been great to create a travel portal for not just the big hotels but little hotels, B & B's Apts, Villas with dynamic booking info.

Plus B I am almost sure that WSPAN provides you with the hardware too.

Check it out..

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Thanks JF, I'll have a look.

Has anyone tried Online Booking Manager?