Billing automation for additional services helps you automatically move extra charges—like bar tabs, spa visits, or parking fees—to the correct payer's bill. You can use this feature to save time, reduce errors, and speed up checkout. You use it when charges are added either directly in Mews Operations or through an integrated system. You manage the setup in the Billing automation screen within Mews.

In this article, you can find answers to the following frequently asked questions:

• How do I enable automatic routing for additional services?
• How does Mews decide where to route an additional item?
• What is a linked reservation ID and why is it important?
• What happens if Mews can’t route an item automatically?
• How accurate is the automatic routing for items from integrations?
• How can I improve the accuracy of routing for additional services?
• Can I see which items were routed automatically and which were not?
• Do I need to adjust my billing setup for this to work? 

How do I enable automatic routing for additional services? 

To enable automatic routing:

1. Go to Settings > Operation > Billing automations.
2. Open or create a billing automation rule.
3. Toggle on your Bookable services and choose items you want to route.
4. Toggle on your Additional services.
5. Choose how you want the system to route items when you add them through Mews Operations or when added via integrations.
6. Choose who pays, for example, guest or company bill.
7. Save the changes. 

Learn more in our help article How to create a billing automation in Mews Operations 

How does Mews decide where to route an additional item? 

Mews uses your setup to determine the routing rule.

• If you add an item manually in Mews Operations, routing follows the product, product category, or accounting category.
• If the item comes from an integration, routing follows the accounting category—only if the item includes a linked reservation. 

Note: If selected, Mews uses the same accounting category for both.  

What is a linked Reservation Id and why is it important? 

A linkedReservationId connects an item to a specific guest stay. It is essential for routing items from integrated systems correctly.

• Mews adds it automatically if not provided by the integration partners, but this is not always successful.
• Without this ID, Mews may not know which reservation the item belongs to. 

What happens if Mews can’t route an item automatically? 

The system leaves the item in Unpaid items and keeps it on the original bill. You must review and move it manually.

Note: Exceptions typically happen when the item date is outside the stay window, or the guest has more than one active reservation. 

How accurate is the automatic routing for items from integrations? 

Accuracy varies depending on how well your integration partner includes linked reservation data.

• Most partners see success rates of 70–90%.
• Some edge cases drop closer to 60%. 

How can I improve the accuracy of routing for additional services? 

You can boost success rates when items come through integrations with these practices:

• Ask your integration partner to include the linkedReservationId in every item.
• Use specific accounting categories, for example, Alcoholic drinks, Parking, or Spa treatments.

Can I see which items were routed automatically and which were not? 

Yes. Items that follow your rules appear on the right bill immediately, as below:

Note: Items that do not match your setup or lack linked reservation details stay in Unpaid items.

Do I need to adjust my billing setup for this to work?

Only if you want to include additional services. Every billing automation setup must include at least one bookable service. You can also add additional services to the setup. Once you toggle on the additional services, make sure to review which products you want to include and verify who should pay—guest or company bill.