What is MLOS?
A restriction that requires guests to stay a minimum number of nights when booking certain dates. Example: "2-night minimum on weekends."
Why Use MLOS?
MLOS is a revenue management tool to maximize occupancy and revenue during high-demand periods.
Example: Long Weekend Problem
Scenario: Independence Day falls on Thursday (15 Aug). You expect high demand Thu-Fri-Sat.
Without MLOS: Guests book only Friday (peak night). Thursday and Saturday stay empty.
With MLOS (2 nights): Guests must book Thu+Fri or Fri+Sat. You fill more nights!
When to Use MLOS
| Situation | Recommended MLOS |
|---|---|
| Long weekends (Fri-Sat-Sun) | 2-night minimum |
| Major festivals (Diwali, New Year) | 2-3 night minimum |
| Special events in city | Based on event duration |
| Peak season at resorts | 2-3 night minimum |
| Wedding season | Consider based on demand |
| Normal weekdays | No restriction (1 night OK) |
Types of Stay Restrictions
| Restriction | Full Form | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| MLOS | Minimum Length of Stay | Must stay at least X nights |
| MaxLOS | Maximum Length of Stay | Cannot stay more than X nights |
| CTA | Closed to Arrival | Cannot check in on this date |
| CTD | Closed to Departure | Cannot check out on this date |
| MLOS Through | Stay Through | Must stay through specific date |
MLOS Example Scenarios
Scenario 1: Beach Resort - Goa
Dates: Christmas Week (Dec 22-28)
Strategy: 3-night MLOS starting Dec 22, 23, 24
Result: Guests book longer stays instead of just Christmas Eve
Scenario 2: Business Hotel - Mumbai
Dates: Trade fair week
Strategy: 2-night MLOS during fair dates
Result: Exhibitors book multiple nights, higher total revenue
How to Set MLOS
- In your PMS: Set MLOS for specific dates in rate/restriction settings
- On OTAs: Each extranet has restriction settings - apply MLOS there
- Via Channel Manager: Push MLOS to all channels from one place
MLOS Best Practices
- Apply early: Set MLOS weeks/months before peak dates
- Monitor pickup: If bookings are slow, consider removing MLOS
- Combine with pricing: Use MLOS + rate increase together
- Be consistent: Apply same MLOS across all channels (rate parity)
- Communicate clearly: Guests should see "2-night minimum" when searching
MLOS Risks
- Lost bookings: Guests who can only stay 1 night will book elsewhere
- Complex to manage: Must update restrictions regularly
- OTA penalties: Some OTAs discourage heavy restrictions
- Last-minute gaps: If MLOS is too strict, you may have unsold nights