If your property doesn't have availability for the dates a planner originally requested, you may be able to propose alternate dates directly within your proposal — as long as the planner has enabled this setting on their RFP.
First: The Planner Has to Enable It
The ability to propose alternate dates is controlled by the planner, not the hotel. If the planner has not turned on the "Allow Alternate Dates" setting for that specific RFP, the option will appear greyed out and you will not be able to click it.
If you see a tooltip that says "Planner didn't allow to propose new date," that means this setting is off for this RFP. You can reach out to the planner directly to request they enable it using the 'Message' tab.
⚠️ Important: This setting is unique to each RFP. Just because a planner allowed alternate dates on a previous RFP does not mean it's enabled on this one.
How to Propose Alternate Dates
Open the RFP from your Hotelier dashboard
Click into the Proposal Builder tab
Select the Room Rate tab
Hover over the planner's date blocks — you'll see a small arrow appear to the right. Follow it to the end of the row to reveal the + Propose New Dates option
Click + Propose New Dates — a pop-up window will appear asking you to enter a date range
Enter your proposed dates starting on one of the days of the week allowed by the planner, then click to confirm
Once dates are added, you'll be able to enter your rates for those proposed dates just like you would for the original dates
💡 Tip: If you're on a very wide screen, the + Propose New Dates option may appear off-screen to the right. Try zooming out slightly in your browser or scrolling right within the date row if you can't see it.
Understanding the Planner's Date Pattern & Start Days
Alternate dates are not open-ended. The planner defines which days of the week a program can start on, and your proposed dates must begin on one of those approved start days.
When you open the + Propose New Dates pop-up, the approved start days will be highlighted in the calendar. You are only able to select a date range that begins on one of those highlighted days. Any other start day will not be selectable!
In addition to starting on the correct day, your alternate dates must mirror the planner's established date pattern — meaning the same number of nights and the same room block structure as the original request. Do not add or remove nights, and do not adjust the number of rooms per night.
⚠️ Note on room block pattern: A day showing 0 rooms in the original request is a departure day — it is not an additional night to fill. Your alternate date range should follow the same structure exactly.
Always review the RFP notes before proposing dates. Planners sometimes include additional constraints (e.g., "must avoid holiday weekends" or "open to Monday or Sunday arrival only") that should guide your submission.
Troubleshooting
The "+ Propose New Dates" button is greyed out
The planner has not enabled alternate dates for this RFP. Reach out to the planner via the 'Message' tab.
I can't see the "+ Propose New Dates" option at all
It may be hidden off-screen to the right. Hover over the date row and follow the arrow that appears. Try zooming out your browser window if needed.
I entered dates but don't see a place to add rates
After clicking "+ Propose New Dates" and entering the date range in the pop-up, confirm your selection. The new date row will then appear in the Room Rate tab with fields to enter your rates.
Need help proposing alternate dates or reading the date pattern on an RFP?
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