Manual connectivity options
Not every product can be connected automatically, and that's fine — there are three manual ways to sell with us. Each suits a different kind of product and inventory.
A few words you'll see
- Fulfilment — how a booking made on Headout gets confirmed and ticketed.
- Freesale — bookings confirmed instantly, with no check needed from you.
- Intimation — an email telling you a booking has been made.
Note: We recommend an automated connection wherever it's possible — it's faster and removes human error. See Automated connectivity options.
Option 1 — Manual booking on your B2B portal
If you have a portal where bookings can be made, our reservations team logs in and books tickets for guests.
This works best where you can give us a B2B login, which we can help you set up. We agree the rates and how the process runs with you before anything goes live.
Each booking triggers a notification to you, and you can see everything on the Bookings dashboard in Hub.
Important: Because every booking is placed by hand, turnaround is slower and mistakes are possible. It's the option we'd move you off first if an automated route becomes available.
Option 2 — Freesale, with or without intimation
If your product has unlimited inventory and bookings can be confirmed instantly, Freesale is the simplest option. It's common for attractions where there's no cap on tickets.
- Guests get their ticket immediately, which makes for a good experience.
- There's no inventory limit to manage, so we can sell freely.
- Nothing manual means nothing to go wrong.
You can add intimation if you'd like an email with the details each time a booking is made. Either way, bookings appear on the Bookings dashboard.
Option 3 — Vendor request
For products with limited inventory that needs checking before a booking can be confirmed, a vendor request works best.
How it runs:
- A guest books on Headout, and we email you asking you to confirm.
- The guest is told their booking is being processed and tickets will follow shortly.
- You check availability with your portal or the venue.
- Confirm with one click in the email, and tickets go out to the guest immediately.
- If you can't fulfil it, reply with alternatives we can offer the guest, or the booking is cancelled and the guest refunded.
Tip: Respond quickly. The guest is already waiting at this point, and a fast confirmation is the difference between a good experience and a cancellation.
How this shows up when you list
When you add an option, the Booking step asks how you want new bookings confirmed:
- Instant confirmation (Freesale) — for Freesale.
- On request via email — for vendor requests. You can add the email address to use and a cutoff time.
- Your B2B booking portal — for manual booking on your portal. You'll add the portal link and login details.
- Reservation system/API connection — for automated connections.
Frequently asked questions
Which option should I choose?
Unlimited inventory and instant confirmation means Freesale. Limited inventory needing a check means vendor request. A portal we can book on means manual booking.
Can I change fulfilment later?
Yes, but it changes how every booking for that option is confirmed, so raise a ticket and our team will make the switch with you rather than it changing unexpectedly mid-season.
Do I still manage pricing and inventory on Hub?
Yes, for all the non-automated options. Use Availability & pricing for prices and inventory, and Schedules for dates and slots.
What happens if I miss a vendor request email?
The guest waits, and eventually the booking is cancelled and refunded. Make sure the address on the option is one your team monitors, and set a cutoff time that reflects how quickly you can realistically respond.
Can I use different options for different experiences?
Yes. Fulfilment is set per option, so you can mix across your portfolio.
Where do I see bookings made on my behalf?
On the Bookings dashboard in Hub, whichever option you're on — see Using the bookings dashboard.