When you choose not to accept automatic same-day bookings, your NightsBridge Booking Engine naturally protects your calendar by automatically adjusting a traveller's search to the next available check-in date.
However, last-minute travellers arriving in your area might still hope to secure a room for tonight. If a potential guest manually selects today's date on your Booking Engine, the system displays a Send Enquiry option. This allows the guest to get in touch directly, giving you complete flexibility to decide whether you can accommodate them without opening your calendar to automatic same-day bookings.
When does the same-day enquiry feature activate?
The same-day booking enquiry option appears only when both of these conditions are met:
- Your property settings in NightsBridge are configured to not accept same-day bookings.
- A potential guest manually selects today's date as their check-in date on your Booking Engine.
How guests submit a same-day enquiry
When a guest attempts to book for arrival today, the Booking Engine guides them through a simple enquiry process:
Enquiry banner: The system displays a clear Send Enquiry banner on the screen.
Enquiry form: Clicking the button opens an online form where the guest fills in their details:
- Preferred check-in and check-out dates (autofilled from their original search)
- Number of guests
- Contact details
- A brief message with their specific request
How your property is notified
As soon as a guest sends a same-day enquiry, NightsBridge alerts you immediately through two channels so you can respond quickly:
- 📧 Email notification: A detailed email containing the guest's contact info and stay request is sent straight to your inbox.
- 📱 SMS alert: An instant text message is sent to your registered mobile number with the enquiry details.
Step-by-step: How to handle a booking enquiry
Step 1: View the enquiry details
You can review the full request details directly within your NightsBridge account.
(For step-by-step instructions, see our tutorial on How to view a booking enquiry made on the Booking Engine.
Step 2: Decide whether to accommodate the guest
Once you've checked your room availability and operational capacity for tonight, you can choose to:
- Accept the same-day booking request.
- Offer alternative check-in dates.
- Place the guest on a waiting list.
Step 3: Capture the booking on your calendar
If you decide to accept the reservation, manually add the guest's details onto your calendar to lock in the room and update your availability. (Learn how in our guide to adding a booking to your calendar.