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.

Pool Fee

A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate charged to renters wishing to use the heater on your pool or hot tub.
Origin: Industry

Re-Sellable

When a booking for lodging property is non-cancelable it may instead, be re-sellable. In that case, an owner or manager agrees to attempt to resell a guest's booked dates and, if successful refunds the guests payment usually less a fee for the resell process.
Origin: Industry

Seniors

Travelers over a certain age, usually 55, who receive certain benefits not afforded to the general public, such as discounts, early entry or other priviledges.
Origin: Industry

Smoking Penalty

The fee charged to guests for smoking in a No Smoking lodging facility. Usually the fee is significant due to the costs associated with cleaning facilities sufficiently to return them to a no smoking condition; and to deter unauthorized smoking.
See also: No Smoking Origin: Industry

Sundries

Incidental supplies provided along with rent of a lodging property such as paper goods, soaps, salt/pepper and other kitchen basics. Many managers provide a started supply of such things. Most do not provide an unlimited stash.
Origin: Industry

Sunspots Resorts

Company which provides lodging services to the Sunspot Network. Those members provide management services to Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals in various geographic areas. The Sunspots Resorts name is promoted to consumers to establish a national and international brand name.
See also: Sunspots Network Origin: William May

Terms & Conditions

The list of conditions, usually in writing and often printed on a website, that govern a contract or order. They spell out how payments are handled, what the policies and procedures are, what happens in the case of certain events. They govern the customer's comportment and obligate them to other rules and regulations.
See also: Rules, Regulations Origin: William

Travel Accident

Provides coverage for loss of limb or life in the event of an accident while traveling, or within 180 days after the accident due to the direct result of that accident.
Origin: CSA Travel Protection

Travel Agent

An individual who arranges travel for individuals or groups. Travel agents may be generalist or specialists (cruises, adventure travel, conventions, and meetings.) The agent receives a commission form accomodations, transportation companies and attractions for coordinating the booking of travel. They typically coordinate travel for their customers at the same of lower cost than if the customer booked the travel on his/her own.
Origin: Industry

Travel Insurance

Purchased from a carrier who agrees to reimburse guests for some expense if they are forced to cancel their plans due to certain reasons. Usually these include death in the family, personal injury or flight delays. Highly recommended.
Origin: Industry

Unwelcomes

When a guest or tenant misuses a property, misbehaves, fails to pay as agreed or violates other conditions of the owner or manager's terms they are referred to as unwelcome and not allowed to rent the property again.
See also: Industry Origin: Industry Link: Unwelcomes.org

Vacation Rental Angels

Voluntary program from Vacation Rental Industry Association. Members who regularly donate vacation home use to charitable causes are listed on VacationRentalAngels.com website and display the VRIA Angel Icon.
Origin: VRIA Link: VacationRentalAngels.com

Vacation Rental Travel Insurance

A form of travel insurance, purchased from a carrier who agrees to reimburse guests for some expense if they are forced to cancel their travel plans including their rental of a vacation rental home. Covered events usually these include death in the family, personal injury or flight delays. Highly recommended.
Origin: Industry