Whether you need to confirm an estimated arrival time, share check-in directions, or follow up on an outstanding payment, getting in touch with your guests quickly makes all the difference.
With NightsBridge, you can start a WhatsApp conversation directly from a booking on your Online Calendar - without having to save the guest's cellphone number to your device's contacts or search through existing chat threads.
You can start a chat in two simple ways, whether you are working at your desk or checking your calendar on a phone or tablet.
Option 1: Open a chat from your Booking Details
If you already have the booking open on your Online Calendar, you can jump straight into a chat in a couple of clicks:
- Open the booking: Locate and open the booking on your Online Calendar.
- Find the guest details: Head to the Guest details section on the booking screen.
- Click the WhatsApp icon: Click the WhatsApp icon right next to the guest's cellphone number.
WhatsApp will open the chat immediately, ready for you to type and send your message.
Need a hand with a greyed-out WhatsApp icon?
If the icon is greyed out, it just means there’s no cellphone number recorded on the guest profile for this booking. Adding their cellphone number to their profile will instantly activate the WhatsApp button for you.
Using WhatsApp on a Mobile Device
- Open the relevant Booking Details on your mobile device.
- Locate and select the WhatsApp icon in Booking Details.
When you're using your phone or tablet, the conversation opens directly inside your WhatsApp app (as long as it is installed on your device).
Option 2: Open a chat from your Booking Preview
If you prefer checking details at a glance without opening the full Booking Details screen, you can message the guest directly from your calendar preview:
- Open the booking preview: Right-click the booking on your Online Calendar to open the Booking Preview window.
- Select 'Chat via WhatsApp': Tap Chat via WhatsApp.
WhatsApp will open up the guest's conversation right away so you can send your message.
Using WhatsApp on a Mobile Device
- Tap and hold the booking on your Online Calendar to open the Booking Preview.
- Locate and select Chat via WhatsApp in the Booking Preview
On mobile devices, this opens straight in your WhatsApp app.
When opening a WhatsApp chat from NightsBridge, the account used depends on your device and WhatsApp setup.
- On a computer: WhatsApp Web will open. If you haven't linked a device, you'll be prompted to do so. If you're already logged in, check that you're using the correct WhatsApp account.
- On a mobile device: The chat will open in WhatsApp. If you have both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business installed, you may be asked which app you'd like to use.
Always confirm that you're sending your message from the correct WhatsApp number, especially if you use separate personal and business accounts.
Good to know about WhatsApp chats
Here are a few helpful details to keep in mind when chatting with guests through your calendar:
- Keep your personal contacts tidy: You can start a new chat or continue an earlier one without saving the guest's number to your phone address book.
- Works across your computer and mobile devices: On a computer, the chat opens conveniently in a new browser tab. On a smartphone or tablet, it opens directly in the WhatsApp app.
- Requires a saved cellphone number: The shortcut uses the cellphone number saved on the guest's NightsBridge profile.
- What happens if no number is saved? If a guest doesn't have a cellphone number listed, the WhatsApp shortcut is disabled, and your Booking Preview will display No phone number instead.
