New tools for ownership setup, more flexible booking packages and improved financial controls
Merlin Software continues to evolve with the needs of vacation ownership resorts, helping teams manage their operations, improve the guest and owner experience, and maintain control over their day-to-day processes.
Our October 18, 2026 general server update introduces enhancements across Merlin Apps, reservation requests, package pricing, Direct Debit processing and financial administration.
This release includes a new step-by-step Ownership Flow App to support contract and ownership setup, greater flexibility when building reservation packages, language options for the MiniVac App and additional controls for managing Direct Debit mandates and account balances.
Each enhancement addresses a practical requirement, whether that means making information easier to capture, giving guests more booking options or helping finance teams manage transactions with greater control.
Here is a closer look at what’s changed and what it means for your resort.
1 Ownership Flow App: A More Structured Ownership Setup Process
Module: Merlin Apps
Setting up a new contract and ownership involves collecting several pieces of information. These can include purchaser details, purchase information, credits and banking arrangements.
The new Ownership Flow App guides business users through this process using a simple, step-by-step approach. Rather than treating each part of the setup as a separate task, the app takes users through the information required to establish a new contract or ownership. The process covers:
- Purchaser information
- Purchase details
- Credit information
- Banking information
The app is designed to make the ownership take-on process easier to follow and ensure the required information is captured before completion.
What does this mean for Merlin users?
For teams responsible for sales administration and ownership setup, a structured workflow provides a clearer way to collect and review information. It can help users follow a consistent process and reduce the risk of overlooking required details when setting up new contracts and ownerships.
For resorts handling regular sales and ownership transactions, this provides a more guided approach to an important administrative process.
It also supports a better experience for purchasers by helping the resort capture the necessary information as part of a structured workflow.
2 MiniVac App: Language Selection Through the URL
Module: Merlin Apps
The MiniVac App has been enhanced to support language selection through the URL. The required language can now be passed directly into the app. Merlin will then display the available translations for that language.
What does this mean for your resort?
Resorts welcome guests from different countries and language backgrounds. Providing a booking journey that reflects a guest’s preferred language can make it easier for them to understand the information presented and complete their booking. This enhancement gives resorts greater flexibility when directing guests to the MiniVac App.
For example, a resort promoting a package to an international audience can use a URL configured for the appropriate language, allowing the app to display the available translations for that selection.
This can help create a more accessible booking experience and support resorts that communicate with guests across different markets. The update applies to the MiniVac App’s translation functionality. The languages available will depend on the translations provided.
3 Reservation Request Packages: Link Multiple Room Types to One Package
Module: Merlin Apps
The Link UTC (Room Type) enhancement allows multiple accommodation items to be added to the same Reservation Request Package, with each item linked to a specific Unit Type Code (UTC).
When a guest selects their preferred room type, Merlin automatically determines which linked package item and rate to use. Previously, supporting different room types could require separate packages. This enhancement allows a single package to accommodate multiple room types.
How does it work?
Each accommodation item within the package is linked to its relevant room type. When the guest selects a preferred room type, Merlin uses that selection to identify the corresponding package item and rate. This allows the resort to manage different accommodation options within one package structure.
What does this mean for your resort?
For properties offering packages across different accommodation types, this provides greater flexibility when building and maintaining offers. Instead of creating separate packages for each room type, resorts can link multiple accommodation options to one package.
This can simplify package management and make it easier to present guests with a choice of accommodation while keeping the relevant rates connected to their selection.
For guests, the benefit is a booking experience that can accommodate different room preferences within the same package, rather than requiring them to navigate separate offers for each option.
4 Reservation Request Packages: More Flexible Surcharges
Module: Merlin Apps
Another enhancement introduces surcharges for individual Reservation Request Package items. The surcharge can be configured as either:
- A percentage of the relevant amount
- A fixed monetary amount
Where required, the surcharge can also be applied per night. For example, a resort could configure an additional charge for Friday and Saturday nights. The package price would then increase automatically for those specific nights.
What does this mean for your resort?
Accommodation pricing can vary according to the day of the week, demand and the conditions attached to a particular offer. The new surcharge functionality gives resorts more flexibility when reflecting these pricing requirements in their reservation packages.
Consider a package that attracts a higher rate on weekends. Rather than needing to manage the weekend difference outside the package structure, the resort can configure a surcharge for the relevant nights.
The ability to use either a percentage or a flat amount provides further choice when setting up pricing rules. This can help resorts maintain more accurate package pricing while reducing the need for manual adjustments. For guests, the benefit is that the package price can reflect the applicable charges for their selected stay.
As with any pricing configuration, resorts should ensure that the package and surcharge rules reflect their intended pricing policies.
5 Direct Debit Enhancements: More Control Over Mandates and Instalments
Module: Back Office
The October update introduces new Direct Debit functionality that supports two related tasks.
First, the system can automatically update the GL Account Flag according to the frequency of the Direct Debit Mandate. Second, users can create the monthly instalments at the same time as setting up the mandate.
These enhancements bring additional automation into the Direct Debit setup process.
How does it work?
When configuring a Direct Debit Mandate, the system can update the relevant GL Account Flag based on the mandate’s frequency. The functionality also allows monthly instalments to be created alongside the mandate, rather than requiring the instalments to be established separately.
The precise behaviour will depend on the applicable setup and configuration.
What does this mean for finance teams?
Direct Debit arrangements are an important part of recurring payment administration for many vacation ownership businesses. Where resorts manage recurring charges and payment arrangements for large numbers of owners, reducing separate setup steps can help simplify the process.
Automatically updating the relevant account flag according to mandate frequency can also support more consistent account administration.
The ability to create monthly instalments when setting up the mandate brings these tasks together, potentially reducing repetitive data entry and the need for separate follow-up actions.
For resorts, this means greater flexibility in managing Direct Debit arrangements while helping staff maintain consistent financial records.
6 Statement Exports: Member Date of Birth Added
Module: Back Office
The Member Date of Birth field has been added to the Export All Statements function. You can find the export under:
BO → Actions → Print Statements → Export All Statements
What does this mean for Merlin users?
Adding the Date of Birth field gives users access to another piece of member information within the exported data. For teams working with statement exports, this provides an additional field that may be useful for their administrative and reporting requirements.
The update does not change the statement itself. It adds the field to the export, giving users more information to work with when processing the resulting data. As with other personal information, access and use should follow the resort’s established data protection policies and permissions.
7 Write Off Small Balances: Support for Closed and FD Accounts
Module: Back Office
The Write Off Small Balances page has been enhanced to allow postings to Closed Accounts or FD Accounts. This provides greater flexibility when dealing with small outstanding balances on these account types.
What does this mean for finance teams?
Financial administration does not stop when an account is closed. A resort may still need to address a small remaining balance as part of its account reconciliation and housekeeping processes.
The enhanced functionality allows authorised users to post write-off transactions to Closed Accounts or FD Accounts, where required.
This gives finance teams another option when dealing with small residual balances and can help them complete account adjustments without having to rely on a separate workaround.
The ability to process these transactions remains subject to the resort’s accounting procedures and applicable controls.
What the October Update Means for Your Resort
The October 18 release covers several different areas of Merlin, from ownership administration and booking packages to financial controls. Together, these enhancements give resorts more flexibility in how they collect information, configure offers and manage financial transactions. The key benefits include:
- A more guided ownership setup process: The Ownership Flow App takes users through the information required to establish a new contract or ownership.
- A more accessible booking journey: MiniVac can display available translations based on the language passed through the URL.
- Greater flexibility in package management: Multiple room types can be linked to one Reservation Request Package.
- More control over pricing: Package items can have percentage or fixed surcharges, including charges applied to specific nights.
- Simplified Direct Debit administration: Mandate setup can include automatic GL Account Flag updates and the creation of monthly instalments.
- More useful statement exports: Member Date of Birth is available as an additional export field.
- Greater flexibility in financial administration: Small balances can be written off through the enhanced process for Closed Accounts and FD Accounts.
These are practical improvements to the workflows resort teams use every day. For owners and guests, the benefits can include a more accessible booking journey, clearer package options and more consistent administration behind the scenes.
For management teams, the enhancements provide further opportunities to streamline processes while maintaining control over the details that matter.
Already Using Merlin? We’re Here to Help
If you have questions about any of the October 18 enhancements, please contact Merlin Support in your preferred manner. Our team can help you understand the changes and discuss any setup requirements relevant to your property.
Looking for Resort Management Software?
When evaluating resort management software, it is worth looking beyond the features available on the day you buy.
How does the platform develop over time? Does it respond to the practical requirements of your business? And can you continue benefiting from improvements without repeatedly investing in new versions?
Merlin continues to develop its software around the needs of vacation ownership businesses, from ownership administration and financial management to reservations and guest-facing applications.
General Merlin updates and enhancements are generally released at no additional cost to users. This means existing clients can continue to benefit from the latest version of the software as the platform evolves.
If you are reviewing your current system, this ongoing development is an important part of the decision.
Learn More About Merlin Software
Discover how Merlin CORE, Merlin Web Apps, Merlin Portal and the wider Merlin Ecosystem can support your resort’s operations. Let’s start a conversation about how Merlin Software can support your property’s success.
Contact Mike Ashton to discuss your requirements and arrange a demonstration.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What improvements were included in the October 18, 2026 Merlin Software update?
The October update includes a new step-by-step Ownership Flow App, language selection through the MiniVac App URL, support for multiple room types within one Reservation Request Package, flexible package surcharges, enhanced Direct Debit functionality, an additional field in statement exports and improved small-balance write-off functionality for Closed Accounts and FD Accounts.
- Are Merlin Software updates included in the cost of the software?
General Merlin updates and enhancements are generally released at no additional cost to users. This allows existing clients to benefit from ongoing development and improvements to the platform without having to purchase each general enhancement separately.
- How can I find out more about the latest Merlin enhancements?
Existing Merlin users can contact Merlin Support with questions about the October update or any relevant configuration requirements. Resorts considering Merlin can contact Mike Ashton to discuss their needs and arrange a demonstration of Merlin CORE, Merlin Web Apps, Merlin Portal and the wider Merlin Ecosystem.
