Difference Between Room Rate, Actual Rate, and Override Rate
In every reservation, you’ll see three distinct rate fields—Room Rate, Actual Rate, and Override Rate. This article explains what each one represents, how they differ, and how system triggers, or manual changes, affect them. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure accurate pricing and reporting.
Path: Front Office > Reservations > Search > Open a Reservation
The Room Rate (WD/WE)
This is the rack rate that was in effect at the time the reservation was created.
The Actual Rate (WD/WE)
This reflects the Room Rate after applying a discount code. If no discount code is used, the Actual Rate will match the Room Rate.
The Override Rate
This is the rate that has been manually overridden by staff, replacing the Room or Actual Rate in the reservation.
Manual Override: Only changes made manually (via Override Rate) will appear in the Mod Log.Automatic Trigger: Rate adjustments caused by system triggers (e.g., discount codes, room type changes) won’t show the value change in the log, though the trigger event itself will.
If the rack rate changes before check-in and a discount is applied at that point, the discount is calculated on the current rack rate, not the original one booked. Example:
| Rack rate at the time of booking | Rack Rate on the day of arrival | Discount added on the day of arrival | New Rate |
| $200.00 | $100.00 | 10.00% | $90.00 |
| $100.00 | $200.00 | 10.00% | $180.00 |
Still need help with this topic?
Ask Yourself:
- Do I understand when each rate type applies (Room Rate, Actual Rate, Override Rate)?
- Was my rate change manual or triggered by the system?
- Do I know how to find the original Room Rate via the Res Mod Log Report?
Support May Ask You:
- Which reservation are you looking at (guest name or confirmation number)?
- Which rate type is confusing—Room, Actual, or Override?
- Was a discount applied, or did you manually enter an override?
- Do you need help locating rate entries in the Mod Log?