I think we can all agree that finding small ways to ease time intensive tasks at your hotel will not only contribute to the overall efficiency throughout the day, but also increase employee satisfaction. Who doesn’t want that? 

There’s nothing more frustrating than helping customers through an old system that takes way more time than necessary. When you invest in improving technology and systems, everyone benefits. If your hotel doesn’t have a system for managing gift cards or vouchers, this is an easy fix! Even if you have a system for a coupon code, your hotel staff still needs to manually enter the reservation into your channel manager. 

Reserva connects to your channel manager or PMS and provides live inventory for your guests to book their stay without needing to contact the hotel. Everything is taken care of. There’s even an upsell feature for guests to upgrade their room for a little extra, purchase a spa treatment, or dine-in at your hotel restaurant. People are more inclined to have a greater experience when they have full control and it starts with a seamless, professional booking experience. 

Let’s explore some more reasons it’s helpful to automate gift cards:

1. Convenience: Automated gift cards streamline the process of purchasing and redeeming hotel stays or services. Guests can easily purchase gift cards online through your website using the Reserva platform without needing to visit the hotel physically or call the reception.The convenience enhances the customer experience and encourages more people to consider gifting hotel stays. 

2. Flexibility: Gift cards provide recipients with flexibility in terms of when and how they use them. They can choose the dates of their stay, the room type, and any additional services they wish to enjoy, such as dining or spa treatments. This flexibility adds value to the gift card and increases its appeal.

3. Boost in Revenue: Hotel gift cards can generate additional revenue for hoteliers, especially during slow periods or off-seasons. Even if guests don’t use the full value of the gift card, the hotel still benefits financially from the initial purchase. Guests often spend more than the value of the gift card during their stay, further boosting revenue. It’s a beneficial way of boosting your up-sell items and encouraging the best stay for your guests.

4. Marketing and Brand Exposure: Automated gift card platforms, such as Reserva can provide hotels with opportunities for marketing and brand exposure. Gift cards can be promoted through various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and partnerships with other businesses. This exposure not only increases awareness of the hotel but also encourages new bookings and repeat business. 

5. Customer Loyalty and Retention: Offering gift cards can help hotels build customer loyalty and encourage repeat visits. When guests receive a gift card, they feel appreciated and valued, strengthening their connection with the hotel brand. Additionally, if they have a positive experience during their stay, they are more likely to return in the future and recommend the hotel to others.

6. Reduced Administrative Tasks: Automating the process of purchasing and redeeming gift cards reduces the administrative burden on hotel staff. With an automated system in place, there is less manual work involved in processing transactions and tracking gift card usage. This efficiency allows staff to focus on providing excellent service to guests rather than managing paperwork and coordinating with guests. 

If this isn’t enough to convince you to make the switch to automated gift cards, then shoot us an email at reserva@reserva.is – we would love to answer any and all questions. We offer a pay as you go pricing model with no setup or monthly fee, simply a 5% commission on issued gift cards. That’s easy!