Overview:
The main difference between the Arrival restriction and the Through restriction is in how they automatically adjust or relax based on existing reservations for that room.
The Arrival type of restriction will automatically relax if it is blocked on the right by a reservation in the future.
The Through type of restriction will automatically relax only if blocked on both the left and right.
The most common restriction is the Through type. The use of the Arrival restriction is typically used only on the first night that a restriction would apply, such as the Thursday or Friday of a weekend.
Only set one type of restriction per block. If both are used, the Through restriction trumps it.
Qualifier vs Restriction:
The field under "Rate Qualifiers" on the Details tab of each rate type is a qualifier that determines whether the guest qualifies for that rate type. Qualifiers are not restrictions, and do not relax. Think of them as requirements to see the rate.
For example, if a minimum qualifier of '7' is set on your Weekly Rate and no maximum is set, only guests searching for 7 or more nights would be able to see this rate type, since they otherwise wouldn't qualify.
Minimum Nights on Arrival: Looks Forward
If a guest is arriving on a date that has Minimum Nights on Arrival set, they must meet the minimum nights indicated, if possible. It only looks at the arrival date, which is why we say they only look to the "right" to see if it's blocked by a reservation or blackout after the arrival date.
If reservations have previously been made that make it impossible for the guest to meet the set minimum nights for that room, the minimum nights will automatically be adjusted/relaxed. (See below for how this can be controlled.)
If Friday has Minimum Nights on Arrival set to 2, then someone who tries to book a room for a Friday check-in must stay at least two nights: Friday and Saturday night.
If Saturday is already reserved for that room, it would be impossible for the guest to stay the required two nights. In this case, the Minimum Night on Arrival for Friday will automatically adjust to 1, allowing you to fill the room.
When editing a rate type to program your restrictions, Min Nights on Arrival will show with an "A" for Arrival to help you differentiate the two types.
2A means there is a 2-night minimum for arrivals on that day.
In the example above, it's impossible for a guest to meet the 2-night minimum if they arrive on Friday, because Saturday is already booked. So in this case, the restriction would be relaxed to allow Friday to be sold (unless you disable the relaxation of restrictions).
Minimum Nights Through: Looks Backward and Forward
This one applies to any stay that includes that night, regardless of the day the guest arrives. It can be satisfied by nights before, nights after, or a combination of both on your reservation calendar.
If a guest is staying on a date with Minimum Nights Through set, they must meet the indicated minimum nights for any night that touches their reservation. If reservations have been made that make the minimum nights impossible, then the minimum nights will automatically be adjusted (unless you disable the relaxation of restrictions).
If Friday has Minimum Nights Through set to 3, someone who tries to stay Thursday and Friday must stay at least one more night.
If Wednesday and Saturday are already reserved, then the Minimum Night Through for Friday will automatically adjust to 2.
Rate Type Restriction Settings
On the Details tab of your rate types, you can configure some exceptions to your restrictions.
"Minimum nights lower limit (can never go below this number)"
Setting this ensures that the rate type always has a minimum night restriction enforced, regardless of what restrictions you have programmed on the Rates & Restrictions tab.
If you set this to 2, you will never get a single-night reservation on this rate type.
This is recommended if your property doesn't allow single-night stays. Because it's a restriction, not a qualifier, guests can still see the rate type in searches, and they will receive a message indicating they need to stay 2 or more nights. When set with a qualifier of 2, guests searching for 1 night don't see the rate at all because they don't qualify, and therefore don't see the message encouraging them to stay at least 2 nights.
"Do not automatically relax minimum nights when they cannot be met"
Checking this box prevents the restrictions programmed on the Rates & Restrictions tab from changing to a lower number.
If you check this box, the system will enforce your restrictions as set, even if it's not possible for a guest to meet them. This could create unsellable blocks.