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How to use a gift certificate to pay for a reservation.

Redeeming Gift Certificates

Gift certificates can be applied toward a reservation either directly by the guest on your public booking page or manually by you within the ReservationKey system. This guide explains how to locate, verify, and apply a gift certificate code.

Step 1: Locate the Certificate Number

  1. Go to the Website tab.
  2. Select Gift Certificates.
  3. If you need to find a specific certificate, click View Certificates Sold.
  4. Click the certificate to open it, or copy the certificate number directly from the list.

This unique certificate number is what the recipient will use to redeem their credit toward a booking.

Step 2: Verify Eligible Reservation Pages

Each reservation page can be configured to accept gift certificates.

  1. Go to Website → Reservation Pages.
  2. Click into the page you want to verify.
  3. Ensure that the setting Allow Gift Certificates is enabled.

Only pages with this setting enabled will display a Gift Code box at checkout.

Step 3: Guest Redemption (Online)

  1. Visit the enabled reservation page.
  2. Select the dates and rooms for a test reservation.
  3. In the Gift Code box, enter the certificate number.
  4. Click Apply Code (or click outside the box).

If the code is valid, the system will automatically apply the gift amount to the total. You’ll see a message showing the amount used and any remaining balance, which can be paid by another payment method (such as credit card).

Example: “Gift Certificate Applied: $200.00 Remaining Balance: $56.00”

Step 4: Internal Redemption (Manually Applying a Certificate)

  1. Create or open a reservation from your Availability Calendar.
  2. Go to the Payments section.
  3. Select Gift Certificate as the payment category.
  4. Enter the gift certificate code.
  5. Click Add Payment.

If the certificate’s remaining balance is less than the amount entered, the system will display a warning. For example, if the gift certificate has only $56 remaining, you must enter that amount as the payment value.

After applying the payment, the certificate balance will update to $0 and the payment will be recorded in the reservation.

Summary

Gift certificates can be redeemed both online and internally in ReservationKey. Guests can enter their codes during checkout, and staff can manually apply them to reservations. The system automatically tracks remaining balances and ensures that each certificate can only be used for its available credit amount.