| Purpose | Understand and configure minimum and maximum length-of-stay restrictions for Base Rates. |
| Best for | Property admins, revenue managers, and distribution managers responsible for rates and stay restrictions. |
| Use this when | You need to require a minimum stay, limit the maximum stay, or understand how these restrictions apply to direct reservations and connected channels. |
| You need | Access to Rates and Availability in Cloudbeds PMS and an existing Base Rate interval or Base Rate configuration. |
| Expected result | The selected accommodations and dates require reservations to meet the configured MinLOS or MaxLOS value. |
| Important limit | Connected channels may support or calculate length-of-stay restrictions differently. Confirm each channel's supported features before relying on the restriction for OTA reservations. |
Introduction
A length-of-stay restriction controls how many nights a guest can book when using a Base Rate. Use MinLOS to require a minimum number of nights and MaxLOS to limit the maximum number of nights.
You can configure these restrictions from the Availability Matrix or by editing an interval on the Base Rates page. This article also explains how length-of-stay restrictions are evaluated for direct reservations and selected distribution channels.
Before applying length-of-stay restrictions
- Cloudbeds PMS applies these restrictions when creating direct reservations. A reservation must meet the applicable MinLOS and MaxLOS values.
- Connected channels may support, receive, or calculate the restrictions differently.
- Review Channel Features to confirm whether a specific channel accepts MinLOS and MaxLOS updates.
Table of contents
- Understand MinLOS and MaxLOS
- Configure MinLOS and MaxLOS
- Understand direct reservation behavior
- Understand channel behavior
Understand MinLOS and MaxLOS
Expand each restriction to review its definition and an example of how it affects availability in reservation searches.
MinLOS: Minimum Length of Stay
A Minimum Length of Stay restriction requires the guest to book at least the configured number of nights to use the applicable rate.
Example: A MinLOS of two nights means the guest must book at least two nights. When the guest searches for one night, the affected rate or accommodation is not available for that search.
MaxLOS: Maximum Length of Stay
A Maximum Length of Stay restriction requires the reservation to be no longer than the configured number of nights.
Example: A MaxLOS of four nights means the guest can book four nights or fewer. The affected rate or accommodation is not available when the guest searches for a stay longer than four nights.
Configure MinLOS and MaxLOS
Select the method that matches the scope of your change. Use the Availability Matrix to update individual dates or a date range. Use the Base Rates page to update an existing named Base Rate interval.
Configure one date in the Availability Matrix
Use the Availability Matrix grid to add or edit a MinLOS or MaxLOS value for an individual accommodation and date.
The Next Generation Availability Matrix is available only to participating properties during the limited release. Select the tab that matches the experience enabled for your property.
- Go to Rates and Availability.
- Select Availability Matrix.
- Open Display Options.
- Select MinLOS and MaxLOS so the restriction rows appear in the grid.
- Locate the applicable accommodation and date.
- Select the MinLOS or MaxLOS cell.
- Enter the required number of nights. Dates with unsaved changes are highlighted.
- Click Save.
MinLOS and MaxLOS rows do not appear unless they are enabled in Display Options.
- Go to Rates and Availability.
- Select Availability Matrix.
- Select the view that best supports your task:
- Use Rates view to organize the grid by rate plan.
- Use Accommodation view to group each accommodation with its associated rate plans.
- Open Options.
- Enable MinLOS and MaxLOS so the restriction rows appear in the grid.
- Locate the applicable Base Rate, accommodation, and date.
- Select the MinLOS or MaxLOS cell. The existing value is selected automatically.
- Enter the required number of nights.
- Press Enter or use the available confirmation action.
- Save the pending changes, when required.
MinLOS and MaxLOS rows do not appear unless they are enabled in Options.
You can review dates back to the start of the previous month in the Next Generation Availability Matrix. Past-date MinLOS and MaxLOS cells are read-only and cannot be edited.
Configure multiple dates in the Availability Matrix
Use Long-Term Interval in the Classic experience or Intervals in the Next Generation experience to apply MinLOS or MaxLOS to multiple accommodations, dates, or days of the week.
- Open the Availability Matrix.
- Click Long-Term Interval.
- Select the applicable Base Rate plan.
- Select the accommodations to which the restriction will apply.
- Select the start and end dates.
- Select the applicable days of the week.
- Under Interval Settings, select MinLOS, MaxLOS, or both.
- Enter the minimum or maximum number of nights.
- Click Add Interval.
- Click Save.
- Open the Availability Matrix.
- Click Intervals.
- Select the applicable Base Rate plan.
- Select the accommodations to which the restriction will apply.
- Select the start and end dates.
- Select the applicable days of the week.
- Under the interval settings, select MinLOS, MaxLOS, or both.
- Enter the minimum or maximum number of nights.
- Click Add Interval.
- Save the changes.
Configure restrictions from the Base Rates page
Use the Base Rates page to add or edit MinLOS and MaxLOS for an existing named Base Rate interval.
- Go to Rates and Availability.
- Select Base Rates.
- Locate the applicable accommodation and Base Rate interval.
- Select the option to edit the interval.
- Enter the required number of nights in the MinLOS or MaxLOS field.
- Click Save Interval.
- On the Date Ranges, Rates, and Restrictions page, click Save.
To configure length-of-stay restrictions for a rate plan or package, edit the applicable rate plan configuration. See How to set up rate plans and packages.
Understand direct reservation behavior
Cloudbeds PMS and the Cloudbeds Booking Engine evaluate the applicable length-of-stay values when checking whether a stay can be booked.
How different MinLOS values affect one stay
When a requested stay includes dates with different MinLOS values, Cloudbeds applies the highest MinLOS value within the selected period. The reservation must meet that value to be available.
In the example shown:
- A stay from Monday 28 to Thursday 1 cannot be booked because the four-night MinLOS is not fulfilled.
- A stay from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 can be booked because the two-night MinLOS is fulfilled.
- A stay from Tuesday 29 to Saturday 3 can be booked because the four-night MinLOS is fulfilled.
Understand channel behavior
Distribution channels can interpret MinLOS and MaxLOS according to their own restriction models. Expand a channel below for the behavior documented in this article.
Channel behavior and supported features may change. Confirm current support in Channel Features and in the channel's own configuration.
Booking.com
Booking.com evaluates the minimum-stay requirement for the dates and rate category associated with the stay.
- Each set of consecutive dates using the same rate category must meet the applicable minimum-stay settings.
- A minimum-stay value on a date can affect a reservation that includes that date.
- When the stay includes different rate categories, each consecutive rate-category segment is evaluated separately.
Expedia
Expedia supports two methods for evaluating minimum and maximum length-of-stay restrictions:
- Arrival-based restrictions: Expedia uses the restriction configured for the requested arrival date.
- Stay-through-based restrictions: Expedia reviews the dates included in the stay and applies the most restrictive applicable value.
The method is configured at the hotel level in Expedia. Contact your Expedia account manager when you need to confirm or change the method used for your property.
Airbnb API
For an Airbnb API connection, MinLOS is based on the restriction configured for the guest's check-in date.
Example: A property has a four-night MinLOS from August 1 through August 4 and a five-night MinLOS from August 5 through August 6. For a reservation checking in on August 1 and checking out on August 5, the four-night restriction applies because August 1 is the check-in date.
Priceline and Agoda
Priceline and Agoda can use two minimum-stay models:
- Minimum Stay: Applies to the arrival date.
- Minimum Night for Stay Through: Applies when a stay includes a date with that restriction.
For restrictions received from Cloudbeds PMS, the MinLOS setting is applied as Minimum Stay and is evaluated using the arrival date.
Next operational step
After configuring your length-of-stay restrictions, review the affected dates in the Availability Matrix overview and confirm that your rates, inventory, and restrictions are ready for sale.
Comments
Hi dear partner,
We would like to connect our Agoda account Dar D'or Fes to our channel manager.
Thank you!
Dar D'or Fes
Namir
Hello, Namir Mohammed!
Thank you very much for reaching out! We hope you are having a great day!
To connect your property to Agoda, please feel free to follow the steps described in this guide: Connect Priceline/Agoda to Cloudbeds PMS.
We remain at your disposal if you need any further assistance.
Kind regards,
I can see how to set a MLOS restriction. But I seem to already have a restriction set for a certain room type and want to see it and perhaps edit it. How can I see existing restrictions previously set and edit them rather than just setting a new restriction?
Hello, David Kalik,
Thank you so much for reaching out. Based on the details you provided, we have created a support ticket for you. Our team will take a closer look and provide dedicated assistance as soon as possible.
Have a great day!
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