Abstract: A reservations system for hotel chains in which matrix arrays defining maximum rooms for sale, protected inventory, and matrices derived from these two, all by room-type/rate-category combinations. The system provides for generalized control of inventory for sale for an arbitrary number of room-types, rate-categories, etc. The system also allows blocking or protecting inventory by rate-category, room-type, or any combination. The system of the invention allows for either a central or a distributed view of inventory, and allows inventory to be controlled by the property and sold at any location without over-selling. The system of the invention provides the level of control necessary to handle the four major inventory control strategies that the hotel industry will likely require over the next ten years: total control centrally, central indicators and distributed inventory, totally distributed inventory, or a mixed mode of operation utilizing any combination of central or distributed inventory.