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Can I set check-in/check-out rules (changeover days)?

Yes. Check-in/check-out rules (often called changeover days) let you control which days bookings can start and end. For example, you can allow check-in only on Saturdays, require check-out on Saturdays, or prevent certain days from being selected as start/end dates. The cleanest way to implement changeover rules is to use nights-style selection (split selection) and configure the allowed start/end days in your restrictions settings. After you apply the rules, always test a few real date ranges to confirm only valid check-in/check-out dates are selectable.

On this page

1. What check-in/check-out rules mean
2. What you’ll need
3. Step 1: Use nights-style selection (recommended)
4. Step 2: Choose your changeover policy
5. Step 3: Configure allowed check-in/check-out days (Booking Restrictions)
6. Step 4: Alternative approach (manual blocking)
7. Step 5: Test changeover behavior on the front-end
8. Common issues (and quick fixes)
9. Best practices
10. Mini FAQ

What check-in/check-out rules mean

• Check-in day: the day a booking can start.
• Check-out day: the day a booking can end.
• Changeover day: a day that is allowed as a start/end boundary (common for weekly rentals).
• These rules help you enforce operational constraints (cleaning, staff schedules, weekly stays) and avoid awkward gaps.

What you’ll need

• WP Booking System installed and activated
• A calendar embedded on a page (with a form if you accept bookings)
• Booking Restrictions add-on (recommended for changeover rules)

Step 1: Use nights-style selection (recommended)

Changeover rules are easiest to understand when your booking flow is nights-based, where the start date behaves like check-in and the end date behaves like check-out. Use split selection to match typical accommodation bookings.

[wpbs id="1" form_id="1" selection_style="split"]

Replace the IDs with your calendar and form IDs, then test that visitors select a start and end date as a range.

Step 2: Choose your changeover policy

Pick a rule that matches how you operate. Write it down as a simple sentence before you configure anything, because it makes testing much easier.

• Weekly stays: “Check-in and check-out on Saturdays only.”
• Flexible starts: “Check-in any day, check-out any day, but minimum 2 nights.”
• Weekend pattern: “Check-in on Friday, check-out on Sunday.”
• Closed day: “No check-ins on Mondays.”

Step 3: Configure allowed check-in/check-out days (Booking Restrictions)

The most reliable way to enforce changeover days is through Booking Restrictions, because it can control which days are allowed as start/end dates and can combine that with minimum stay rules.

• Set allowed start days (check-in days) for the booking.
• Set allowed end days (check-out days) for the booking.
• Apply the rule to the form/calendar you embed on your booking page.

Tip: If you use multiple calendars (multiple rooms), confirm the restriction is applied to the correct calendars/forms and not only to one.

Step 4: Alternative approach (manual blocking)

If you do not use Booking Restrictions, you can approximate changeover behavior by blocking dates manually, but it is harder to maintain and can cause confusion. This approach is best only for simple rules, such as “closed every Monday,” where you can block the next months in advance.

• Block days you never allow as check-in days (for example: every Monday).
• Add a note above the calendar explaining the rule (for example: “Check-in on Saturdays only”).
• Retest after every bulk edit, because manual rules are easier to break by accident.

Step 5: Test changeover behavior on the front-end

Changeover rules must be tested using real date ranges, because the calendar UI (and selection style) affects what users can select.

1. Open the booking page in an incognito/private window.
2. Try selecting an invalid check-in day and confirm it is blocked or rejected.
3. Try selecting a valid check-in day but an invalid check-out day and confirm it is rejected.
4. Try a fully valid range and submit a test booking.

Tip: Test at least three different months (current month, next month, and a later month) to catch edge cases with blocked dates and availability.

Common issues (and quick fixes)

Visitors can still start bookings on days that should be blocked

• Confirm you are using selection_style=”split” and selection_type=”multiple” if your setup requires range selection.
• Check that your Booking Restrictions rule is applied to the same form/calendar used on the page.
• Clear cache and test again in an incognito/private window.

The calendar allows selecting a valid check-in day, but the end date cannot be chosen

• This usually means your end-day rules are too strict or conflict with your minimum stay rule.
• Temporarily simplify rules (for example: allow any check-out day) to confirm the issue, then reapply the rule carefully.

My rule works on one calendar but not another

• Confirm you created the restriction to apply across all the correct calendars/resources.
• Confirm each booking page embeds the correct calendar ID and uses the correct form ID.

I use external channels and changeover rules break availability

• External platforms may not enforce your changeover rules; they only block dates, not booking patterns.
• Use strict rules on your WordPress site and keep external sync enabled to prevent overlaps, but expect that external platforms can still create “odd” date gaps.

Best practices

• Always describe the rule in plain text above the calendar (for example: “Check-in and check-out on Saturdays only”).
• Use selection_style=”split” for accommodation-style bookings, because it matches check-in/check-out behavior.
• Keep your changeover rules consistent across all marketing pages to reduce support questions.
• After changing rules, test at least five different start dates to confirm the logic is enforced.

Mini FAQ

What is the most common changeover rule for weekly rentals?

The most common rule is Saturday-to-Saturday, meaning check-in and check-out are both on Saturday. This is typically enforced with Booking Restrictions and split selection.

Can I allow check-in only on Friday but allow check-out any day?

Yes, if your restrictions settings allow you to define allowed start days separately from allowed end days. After configuring, test multiple ranges to confirm it behaves as expected.

Do changeover rules work if I show availability only?

Changeover rules mainly affect bookings and date selection for a booking request. If you show availability only, visitors can still see open dates, but they are not submitting bookings through the calendar.