Enhanced Email Configuration grants ThinkReservations permission to send emails to your guests using your custom business domain (e.g., innkeeper@yourhotel.com) instead of the default reservations@thinkreservations.com. This improves brand consistency, boosts email deliverability, and is required for the Email Marketing module.
Getting Started & Setup Options
What are the prerequisites for Enhanced Email Configuration?
Custom Domain: You must own a domain (e.g., examplehotel.com). Free webmail addresses (such as @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @aol.com, or @hotmail.com) are not supported as sender domains.
DNS Access: You or your webmaster must have access to manage DNS settings with your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Squarespace, Bluehost, etc.).
DKIM Support: Your email provider must support DKIM authentication.
What setup options are available?
Setting up your records can be done in one of four ways:
Self-Service Setup: Enter your domain under Settings > Custom Email Domain, copy the DNS records generated by the system, and paste them into your domain manager.
Send to Your Webmaster/Tech Team: Navigate to Custom Email Domain, enter your domain, and click Copy all records to copy the formatting into an email for your IT administrator or webmaster.
Delegated Setup (ThinkReservations Assists): Grant delegated/shared access to your DNS portal to analytics@thinkreservations.com with "Edit" permissions (Tech or DNS management role).
Guided Setup: Schedule a meeting with ThinkReservations Support to walk through adding the DNS records together in real time.
How long does verification take?
While ThinkReservations checks for updated records every 15 minutes, global DNS propagation typically takes 15 to 30 minutes and can take up to 48–72 hours depending on your registrar. Once verified, the Custom Email Domain page will show Verified next to your domain identity.
Note: After your domain status displays "Verified", the From Email Address under Settings > Business Settings will be automatically populated. Please notify ThinkReservations support once verified so marketing features can be activated for your account.
Can I set up Enhanced Email Configuration on multiple domains?
Each ThinkReservations account supports one verified sender domain. If you operate multiple distinct properties with unique ThinkReservations accounts, each account must configure its own domain individually under Settings > Custom Email Domain.
Email Authentication Concepts (DKIM, SPF & DMARC)
Protocol | Definition & Role | Requirements & Management
|
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) | Attaches a cryptographic digital signature to outgoing emails to verify that the message authenticates to your domain and was not altered in transit. | Generated inside ThinkReservations and added as CNAME records in your DNS. |
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) | Specifies which mail servers are explicitly authorized to send email on behalf of your domain name. | Your domain must have only one SPF record. Additional services must be merged into your existing SPF record. |
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication) | Instructs receiving servers how to handle emails that fail DKIM or SPF checks and prevents domain spoofing. | Required by Gmail and Yahoo for senders dispatching over 5,000 emails per day. Managed directly with your domain provider (not managed by ThinkReservations). |
What is the difference between "From" and "Reply-To" email addresses?
From Email Address: The address guests see as the sender in their inbox. This requires Enhanced Email Configuration (DKIM) on a custom domain you own.
Reply-To Email Address: The address where guest replies are routed when they hit "Reply". This can be configured instantly under Settings > Business Settings without custom domain verification (free email addresses like Gmail or Yahoo are supported for Reply-To).
What is the difference between a "Single Address" and a "Domain" validation?
A "Single Address" is a legacy validation method. Domain-based configuration provides significantly stronger security, identity verification, and deliverability performance across major email clients.
Delegating Access & Support
How do I give ThinkReservations access to set up DNS records for me?
Log in to your domain provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap) and check if it supports delegated or shared user access.
Add analytics@thinkreservations.com as a user with Edit / DNS Management permissions (often designated as a Tech role).
Important: If your provider restricts delegated access to a short window (e.g., 24 hours), please notify ThinkReservations Support immediately so the setup can be completed before access expires.
Troubleshooting DNS Verification & Deliverability
Why is my domain failing to validate after adding records?
Appended Domain Names: Some DNS managers automatically append your domain to the end of the Host field. Entering sub.yourdomain.com may result in sub.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com. Try entering only the prefix (e.g., sub).
Cloudflare Proxy (Orange Cloud): If using Cloudflare, change the record proxy status from Proxied (Orange Cloud) to DNS Only (Grey Cloud). Proxied records mask the CNAME destination and prevent ThinkReservations from validating ownership.
Record Type Mismatch: Verify that records are created as CNAME or TXT exactly as specified in the Custom Email Domain instructions.
Typographical Errors: Ensure no leading or trailing whitespace was included when copying values into your DNS panel.
Propagation Delays: Allow up to 72 hours for changes to propagate across worldwide DNS servers.
Multiple SPF Records Error: Having more than one SPF TXT record on a single domain causes instant authentication failure. If an SPF record already exists (e.g., v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all), do not create a second SPF record. Instead, edit your existing record to include ThinkReservations: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:thinkreservations.com ~all.
Why are verified emails landing in Spam/Junk folders?
Missing DMARC Policy: Absence of a DMARC policy on your domain can cause strict mailbox providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) to mark incoming messages as unverified or spam.
Unmatched From Address: Confirm that the sender email in Settings > Business Settings exactly matches the verified custom domain.
Domain Registrar Transfer: If you recently transferred your domain to a new host, DNS records must be re-added in your new registrar's portal.