Glossary
This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.
Damage Waiver
A fee paid by guests that covers a maximum amount of damages they may cause. It is paid in advance, is non-refundable and covers unitentional damage up to a certain threshhold if reported to the owner or manager prior to departure. Does not cover intentional damage, charges due to guest failure to follow booking contract or amounts of the limit (Origin: Industry)
Day
In most lodging, guests do not rent "Days" but instead bookings are thought of as "Nights". The origin of this terminology comes from the traditional (Hotel, Motel) industry where guests frequently arrive in the afternoon and leave in the morning. Hence it is the night they are renting not the day. See also: Night (Origin: Industry)
Deep Cleaning
Heavier than usual cleaning, usually done at least annually it is necessary to have housekeepers clean high spots, behind appliances, baseboards and hard to reach areas. (Origin: Industry)
Departure Date
The date at which a guest departed or is expected to depart from a property. In lodging this also usually includes a time after which the guest is no longer allowed to be in the property. (Origin: Industry)
Destination
A geographic description of where properties are located. Destinations are areas of a State, Locations, on the other hand are sub-areas of Destinations. For example, Poipu Beach is a Location. The island of Kauai is a Destination and Hawaii is the state. These geographic descriptions are not precise and are sometimes named to accommodate various geographic features. See also: Location, State, Country (Origin: William May)
Discrimination
Restricting renters on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin as under the Fair Housing Act. (Origin: Industry)
Domain Names
An internet address such as Amazon.com stated in letters and characters. Each domain leads to a numerical address on the Internet called a IP address such as 92.19..45.1. Domain names are used to make internet addresses more memorable. These names are registered with a controlling body and require fees for annual renewal. (Origin: William May)
Domestic Partner
A person who is at least eighteen years of age and you can show: 1. evidence of financial interdependence, such as joint bank accounts or credit cards, jointly owned property, and mutual life insurance or pension beneficiary designations; 2. evidence of cohabitation for at least the previous 6 months; and 3. an affidavit of domestic partnership if recognized by the jurisdiction within which they reside. (Origin: Vacation Rental Insurance)
Electronic Lock
A digital or push button mechanical lock that does not require a key or access card to operate. (Origin: Industry)
Emergency Assistance
If you become sick or injured on your trip and are in need of Emergency Assistance, the assistance provider will: 1. arrange for and transport you to the nearest suitable medical facility; 2. provide you with assistance to return home; 3. provide round-trip economy airfare to send someone of your choice to be with you if you are traveling alone and are in the hospital for more than 7 days; 4. return your minor children home with an escort if they are left unattended due to your death or your hopsitalization for at least 7 days; 5. arrange for and transport your remains to your home or place of burial in event of your death. (Origin: CSA Travel Protection)
Equity
A landlord's financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on it's mortgage and other liens. (Origin: Industry)
Eviction
The lawful expulsion of an occupant from a property. (Origin: Industry)
Excessive Cleaning
When a vacation rental home or other lodging unit requires cleaning great than for normal and usual usage, excessive cleaning is required and for which the guest is usually charged See also: Interim Clean, Out Cleaning, Housekeeping Charge (Origin: Industry)
Exchange
Where owners of one property exchange use of it for use of another property and from that properties owner. Sometimes arranged by a third party Exchange company. (Origin: Industry)
Fair Housing Act
Federal statute prohibiting discrimination against renters based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap. (Origin: Industry)
FIT (Free Independent Travel)
Individual travel in which a tour operator has previously arranged blocks of rooms at various destinations in advance for use by individual travelers. These travelers travel independently, not in a group, usually by rental car or public transportation. (Origin: Industry)
Fractional
Describes a lodging property, usually a vacation home, owned by more than one person or party. Usually organized as an association having multiple owners who share use of the home on a pre-determined arrangement, each getting different times of the year.. In some, but not all, states fractionals are governed by timeshares but operate differently with owners having control over choice of manager, amenities and later sale or disposition of the parties. (Origin: Industry)
Front Desk
An office, accessible to guests during certain hours, where they can arrange the booking of lodging facilities and other types of travel services. And where, if a booking has been pre-arranged, where they may Check In to receive keys and guest isntructions as well as Check Out. See also: Central Reservations, Check In, Check Out (Origin: Industry)
Furnishings
All furniture, equipment, appliances, artwork and other assets located inside a lodging property or on its grounds. (Origin: Industry)
GDS - Global Distribution Systems
Worldwide computer networks, originally developed to offer lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services to Travel Agents who, in turned booked guests into them using the network. There are four different GDS such as Aamdeus Sabre, Galileo & Worldspan, (Origin: Industry)
