# Setting Up Block Bookings in Go Operator

HTML version: [Setting Up Block Bookings in Go Operator](https://support.gladstonesoftware.cloud/gooperator/setting-up-block-bookings-in-go-operator)

## Problem
Sites need Block Bookings switched on and configured in Go Operator Centre Management before staff can create recurring bookings, and need to know which steps still happen in Plus2.

## Resolution

1. **Ask Gladstone Software Support to enable Block Bookings**
   - Block Bookings is enabled for the site by **Gladstone Software Support**. It isn't a GMC setting, and customers and Centre Managers can't switch it on.

2. **Make Invoicing the default payment method for hosts**
   - In **Plus2**, tick **Default for Hosts** on the **Invoicing** payment method. This is the most common set-up blocker; see [Fixing "Payment method Cash is not an invoicing account"](payment-method-cash-is-not-an-invoicing-account-error.md).

3. **Give each block booker an invoicing account**
   - In **Plus2** (surfaced in Go), make sure the customer record has an **invoicing account** on the contact. This is a hard gate on the customer search: only these contacts appear, and that contact receives the invoices.
   - Set the contact's **preferred mailing address** to **Work**. Invoicing reads the Work address type.

4. **Assign roles**
   - Assign roles per the permissions matrix, **one role per user**, in `GMC > Security Configuration > Permissions`. See [Block Booking Permissions in Go Operator](block-booking-permissions-in-go-operator.md).

5. **Set up the Block Booking email**
   - In Go Operator (Automation Portal), set up the **Block Booking** email template and custom placeholders. It is sent on confirmation, edit and cancellation. Set it up before going live.

6. **Enable Pay-by-Link (if taking payment up front)**
   - Pay-by-Link is a separate flag from Block Bookings (see Notes on where it is switched on).
   - Agree the Pay-by-Link expiry window with the Centre Manager, in Go, so unpaid occurrences don't fall outside the sale lifecycle. See [Invoicing Module and Pay by Link (GladstonePay)](invoicing-module-and-pay-by-link-gladstonepay.md).

## Notes

- **What still needs Plus2**: creating the customer record and assigning its **invoicing account** (see [Block Bookings (Plus2 Hosted Reservations) and Invoicing](block-bookings-plus2-hosted-reservations-and-invoicing.md) for creating a block booker), and payment method configuration (`Configuration > Financials > Payment Methods`).
- Courts/areas, products and existing bookings carry over from Plus2 and show in Centre Management. Removing reliance on Plus2 entirely is the end goal; Block Bookings moves a large, daily workflow out of Plus2 in one step. The remaining Plus2 steps haven't been migrated **yet**; the split isn't permanent.
- **Rollout phases**: **Alpha** (internal only) → **Beta (UAT/Test)** (structured testing, not live bookings) → **Private Preview (Production)** (live for a limited set of customers) → **General Release** (all Go Operator customers).
  - Ask your **Regional Sales Manager or Account Manager** about enabling it.
  - Private Preview also depends on the Permissions and Modules work being in place, and on Pay-by-Link being available in Go behind a feature flag.
  - When a flow "isn't working", first check **which phase** the site is on and **which flags** are on.
- **Where Pay-by-Link is switched on**: documentation differs. The block bookings training says it is flagged **in the GMC**; the Pay by Link FAQs say Pay by Link is enabled **per site via Customer Success**. Other set-up guidance says to contact Gladstone Support to enable Pay by Link and agree its expiry. These may describe the same switch; confirm with Customer Success or Gladstone Support.
- Some set-up checklists say Block Bookings is enabled "in Go"; it is enabled by Gladstone Software Support.
- Approving and issuing the invoices block bookings raise is a separate job someone at your site must own: see [Block Booking Invoicing and Credit Notes in Go Operator](block-booking-invoicing-and-credit-notes-in-go-operator.md).
- Related: [Block Bookings in Go Operator (Centre Management)](block-bookings-in-go-operator-centre-management.md); [Configuring Access to Centre Management](configuring-access-to-centre-management.md).