August: Smarter Mapping, More Booking Control. This month’s updates bring powerful new tools across Channel Manager, Booking Engine, and Access Evo, from AI-assisted mapping and bulk promo code creation to smarter stop sell controls and new channel integrations.
Here’s everything that’s new:
Channel Manager Updates
Booking Engine Updates
SecurePay
Access Evo Updates
Channels & Integrations
Channel Manager Updates
1) Max: Revenue Management > Matrix Revenue Control – Date Ranges (Season) -Specific Formula Support
What’s New?
The Matrix formula function has been enhanced to support season-specific formulas. Previously, only a single formula could be applied across all date ranges. Now, you can configure different rate formulas per season — giving your property the flexibility to apply tailored rate calculations per room type, per period.
How It Works?
- On the Formula page, a Date Ranges (Season) selector allows you to switch between seasons
- Configure season-specific formulas per room type as needed
Why It Matters?
- More precise rate control across different seasons
- Eliminates the need for manual workarounds
- Gives revenue managers greater flexibility without added complexity
2) Max: Availability and Rates – Base Stop Sell
What’s New?
When removing a stop sell at the channel level, the system now checks whether a base-level stop sell also exists for those dates. If it does, you’ll be prompted to choose how to proceed.
How It Works?
- Remove channel stop sell – override base level: The channel opens up and the base stop sell is overridden
- Remove channel stop sell – respect base level: Dates with a base-level stop sell remain closed
- The same prompt appears when removing stop sells via bulk update
Why It Matters?
- Prevents accidental overrides of base-level rules
- Gives you full control over how stop sells are managed at every level
- Reduces the risk of unintended availability opening
For more details, visit our Help Centre.
3) Max: Channels – AI-Powered Mapping Suggestions
What’s New?
AI Suggestion — previously exclusive to Evo customers — is now available to all Max customers. The tool speeds up channel mapping by automatically matching your unmapped rate plans against your PMS room and rate combinations.
How It Works?
- Enable the channel as usual
- Go to the Unmapped page and click the AI Suggestion button
- The system matches your rate plans and displays a confidence percentage for each suggestion
- Review, adjust if needed, and confirm
Why It Matters?
- Significantly reduces time spent on manual mapping
- Confidence percentages help you map with accuracy
- Available for new mappings and any pending mappings on connected channels
4) Max: Channel Password – Disable Inventory Splitting
What’s New?
Max automatically splits available room inventory across all rate plans linked to a room type. If your property doesn’t want inventory to auto-split, you can now disable this behaviour at the channel level.
How It Works?
- Channels > Click on the channel tile > Edit Channel Password
- Enable the toggle for Disable Inventory Splitting
Why It Matters?
- Gives you direct control over how inventory is distributed
- Useful for properties with specific rate plan inventory strategies
- No action needed unless you want to change the default behaviour
5) Max: User Permissions – PMS Configuration
What’s New?
PMS Configuration has been added as an assignable permission, allowing sub-users to be granted access to PMS functions.
How It Works?
- Go to the Permissions module
- Assign PMS Configuration access to the relevant sub-users
Why It Matters?
- More granular control over who can access PMS settings
- Reduces reliance on admin-level users for PMS-related tasks
For more details, visit our Help Centre.
6) Max: Bookings – View History (PMS Delivery Status)
What’s New?
The booking delivery status to the PMS, along with the booking’s PMS log, is now available under View History.
How It Works?
- Open any booking and go to View History
- For PMS systems using a PULL mechanism, the relevant booking number is highlighted in yellow within the log
Why It Matters?
- Easier tracking of booking delivery to your PMS
- Faster troubleshooting when something needs attention
7) Max: Bookings – POS (Point of Sale)
What’s New?
POS has been added as a searchable and filterable column in the Bookings module.
How It Works?
- Hidden by default — enable via Show Columns
- Click on the POS filter to search by Point of Sale
- Alternatively, select Point of Sale from Filter By and type to search
Why It Matters?
- Quickly identify and filter bookings by channel POS
- Improves visibility across your booking sources
8) Max: Channel Mapping – Support Inventory at Rate Plan Level
What’s New?
Properties that need to push different inventory for B2B rate plans can now do so. A new flag in the Channel Password area enables inventory limits to be configured at the room/rate plan level.
How It Works?
- Enable the flag in the Channel Password module
- Go to Mapping > Optional Settings > Enable Inventory Limit
- Configure the inventory limit value per room/rate plan
Why It Matters?
- Ideal for properties managing separate B2B and B2C inventory
- Prevents overbooking at the rate plan level
- Gives you finer control over how inventory is pushed to each channel
Booking Engine Updates
1) SwiftBook: Promo Code – Bulk Promo Code Creation
What’s New?
Properties can now create multiple promo codes in bulk for a single promotion, rather than creating each code manually one by one.
How It Works?
- Create a promo code as usual, then enable Bulk Promo Code
- Add a custom prefix to auto-generated codes (e.g. “SUMMER” generates codes like SUMMER-A1B2C3)
- Enter the quantity required (up to 500 codes)
- Choose usage type: Single Use or Counter (multi-use)
- Once created, download the codes or view/manage them directly
Note: The main promo code is used as a reference only and cannot be used for bookings. Only the generated sub-codes are valid.
Why It Matters?
- Saves significant time when running large promotions
- Custom prefixes make codes easy to identify at a glance
- Full visibility and control over code usage
2) SwiftBook: Booking Engine Themes – Datepicker Design
What’s New?
Both datepicker designs now support the option to disable the display of nightly rates in the widget calendar.
How It Works?
- Nightly rates are displayed by default
- Go to Datepicker Design > Show rates on datepicker > Toggle Off to hide them
Why It Matters?
- Gives properties the choice of how much pricing information is shown upfront
- Useful for properties that prefer guests to see rates only at the room selection stage
3) SwiftBook: Manage Booking – Penalty and Refund Amount
What’s New?
When a guest cancels a booking via the Manage Booking link, the system now displays the applicable penalty or refund amount based on the cancellation policy.
How It Works?
- Guests access this via the Manage Booking link in their booking confirmation email
- The penalty or refund amount is displayed for informational purposes only
- It does not trigger or affect the actual refund or charge — your existing workflow remains unchanged
Why It Matters?
- Sets clearer expectations for guests at the point of cancellation
- Reduces queries to your front desk about cancellation charges
For more details, visit our Help Centre.
4) SwiftBook: Special Request Field
What’s New?
The Special Request field is enabled and visible to guests by default. Properties that do not wish to accept special requests can now hide this field from the booking engine.
How It Works?
- Go to Booking Engine > BE Permissions > Hide Special Request
Why It Matters?
- Keeps the booking flow clean and relevant to your property’s operations
- Avoids managing requests your property is not set up to fulfil
5) SwiftBook: Package with Inclusions – Booking Email & Max Integration
What’s New?
When a package with inclusions is booked, the added inclusions are now clearly indicated on the booking confirmation email sent to the guest.
How It Works?
- Inclusions appear on the guest’s booking confirmation email
- Inclusions information is also passed through to Max in the booking remarks
- Data is then passed on to your PMS
Why It Matters?
- Guests have a clear record of what’s included in their booking
- Reduces confusion and front desk queries at check-in
- Ensures your operations team has full visibility of inclusions from booking to PMS
For more details, visit our Help Centre.
6) SwiftBook: Coming Soon – Request to Book
What’s Coming?
Guests will be able to submit a booking request through your booking engine, which your property can then accept or decline. Two modes will be available:
- Permanently on Request — all bookings are routed as requests, regardless of availability
- On Request When Unavailable — requests are only triggered when there is no availability
Setup: Max Extranet > Booking Engine > Settings > Turn on Request to Book.
7) SwiftBook: Coming Soon – Promo Code – Bulk Promo Codes at Group Level
What’s Coming?
The bulk promo code feature — already live at the property level — is being extended to the group level. The flow and concept remain the same, now available across your entire portfolio.
SecurePay – Payment Link (Coming Soon)
What’s Coming?
The SecurePay feature is getting a significant upgrade to deliver a more seamless payment experience. Here’s what’s changing:
- Refreshed SecurePay Module Interface — cleaner design with additional search filters and new actions
- Automatic Payment Link Logging — payment links generated via CRS are automatically logged for easy tracking and resending
- New: Expire a Payment Link — expire a link that is no longer needed; for general payment links, you can also expire and create a new one with the same payment details
- Updated Payment Confirmation Page — key information in a cleaner, more streamlined layout
- Updated Email Notification Templates — refreshed design for a more professional guest experience
Important: If your property has the Direct Payment Link embedded on your website or set up in templates, please update it with the new URL. Click on Direct Payment Link in the SecurePay module and copy the new URL. In the meantime, the old link will auto-redirect to the new URL.
Access Evo Updates
1) Access Evo: Channels – AI Suggestion for Mapping
What’s New?
Meet Evie — STAAH’s AI mapping assistant, exclusively for Evo customers! The system displays a matching percentage for each mapped room type and rate code, so you can review or update mappings with confidence.
How It Works?
- Enable the channel as usual
- Go to the Unmapped page and click Switch to AI Suggestion
- Evie automatically matches all mappings for you
- Review the confidence percentages, adjust if needed, and click Map
Note: This feature is being rolled out gradually and may not yet be available for all channels.
Why It Matters?
- Dramatically reduces time spent on manual mapping
- Confidence percentages help ensure accurate matches
- Exclusively available to Evo customers
2) Access Evo: OTA Messages – AI Suggestion and Translation
What’s New?
Evo customers can now use the AI suggestion tool to reply to OTA messages. Messages can also be translated directly within the platform.
How It Works?
- Look for the bell icon at the top left in Max Evo
- When new notifications arrive, the bell appears bold with a badge
- Open the message, use AI to draft a reply or translate as needed
Why It Matters?
- Faster, more consistent responses to guest messages
- Built-in translation removes language barriers without leaving the platform
3) Access Evo: Reply to Reviews
What’s New?
Evo customers now receive reviews from channels with direct API integration — Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia — and can reply to them directly from within the platform. Properties subscribed to SwiftBook with Google connected can also enable Google reviews.
How It Works?
- Ensure the respective channels are enabled and mapped
- Look for the bell icon at the top left in Max Evo
- Reviews will appear in your notifications feed
Why It Matters?
- Manage your online reputation without switching platforms
- Respond to reviews faster and more consistently
- Covers the biggest OTAs with direct API integration
New Channels
Crew
A mobile-first travel platform in India designed to make travel booking simple and accessible for consumers. Available exclusively through its dedicated app. Find out more on the Crew app.
Kinghills
An India-based travel booking platform serving both travellers and travel businesses with a range of travel products and services. Find out more at kinghillstravels.com.
Travclan
A travel technology platform that empowers travel agents while also serving consumers, offering access to hotels, packages, and other travel services. Find out more at travclan.com.
Tripmax
A comprehensive travel platform catering to both B2B and B2C segments, providing seamless access to travel bookings and solutions. Find out more at tripmax.in.
Myholiday Trip
An online travel portal focused on helping travellers discover and book holidays, tours, and travel experiences with ease. Find out more at myholidaytrip.in.
Tripstaq
A travel technology and distribution platform connecting travellers and travel partners through streamlined booking and inventory solutions. Find out more on the Tripstaq website.
As always, our focus is on introducing improvements that simplify operations, enhance visibility, and help your property perform better across every booking channel.