Why isn't my guest being charged a cancellation fee?
Charging Cancellation Fees
Note: cancellation fees only apply to ACCEPTED reservations. However, there is a workflow to charge NEW status reservations. Let's review both:
- ACCEPTED Reservations
- If the reservation is in ACCEPTED status attendees can submit a cancellation request through their unique change request link. Alternatively, an MCP user can submit the cancellation request on their behalf. Once approved by the MCP or HCP the attendee will be charged the pre-set cancellation fee to the credit card on file. Note: MCP users have the option to charge or waive the cancellation fee. HCP users will not see this option.
- NEW Reservations
- If the reservation is in NEW status follow this workflow to charge cancellation fees:
- Enable the Close Down Dates feature for Cancellation Requests to disable the ability for attendees to submit cancellation requests through their unique change request link. (If you skip this step, then attendees can cancel a NEW status reservation and will not be charged a cancellation fee.) In your Cancellation Close Message, instruct attendees to contact the housing bureau to submit a cancellation.
- To charge a cancellation fee you must first ACCEPT the reservation in the MCP. Open the Reservation Detail page and input a temporary confirmation number. Click Save. Click Accept Reservation. Once complete, the reservation status will change from NEW to ACCEPTED.
- Find the room reservation you wish to cancel, select Room Actions > Submit Change Request.
- In the pop-up, select Cancel > Select the checkbox next to "I would like to cancel my room" > select Confirm Cancellation.
- Once complete, refresh the Reservation Detail page. You will see an Outstanding Change Request next to the cancelled reservation. Click on the yellow icon.
- This will open the Cancellation Request. Click the Acknowledge button.
- You will see the option to Charge or Waive the cancellation fee. Select an option and click on Acknowledge and Send Email. The cancellation fee charge is now complete.
- You can now see the transaction under the Reservation Detail > Transactions tab.
- Note: Let the attendee know that they will receive a few emails regarding the cancellation (accepted, change request submit, change request acknowledged, etc). The most important email is the one titled Event Name - Reservation Cancelled. This email clearly shows the cancellation fee amount paid.
Note: any reservations booked without a credit card will not be charged a cancellation fee. (e.g. sub-blocks with free night stays)