Expedia.com Channel manager Setup
This connection to Expedia EQC will also update other Expedia channels including Hotels.com, AirAsiaGo, Egencia, Venere, Travelocity, Trivago (via Expedia), Expedia Affiliate Network, Wotif Group, Orbitz and Classic Vacations.
General
Click here for general information on how the channel manager works.
This tutorial explains how to set prices for channels.
Capabilities
EffectiveTours.com can export Inventory
EffectiveTours.com can export Minimum Stay
EffectiveTours.com can export Maximum Stay
EffectiveTours.com can export Multiple Rates
EffectiveTours.com can import Bookings
EffectiveTours.com can import Booking Modifications and Cancellations
Limitations
Expedia rate plans with with LOS (length of stay) enabled are not supported.
Before you connect
Prices Effective Tours supports “Per Occupancy Pricing” only. Before activating the channel manager for Expedia, please set the proper Pricing model.
If you use rates for one rate a price for Single (1 guest), Double (2 guests) and a room price (for the number of guests you have defined in the rate ) can be sent. If you have more than 3 occupancy levels you can set up additional rates for each occupancy level and map them in them in the “Room Configuration” tab of the rate.
Bookings
Older bookings must be manually entered into EffectiveTours manually
Extras and Taxes
“Upsell Items” can not be exported.
What you will need
Your Expedia hotel id
Login and Password for the Expedia channel manager. It’s a separate login and password, different from your Expedia extranet access.
Set Up Expedia
Setting up the Expedia connection is a 14 step process =>
Bookings
New Bookings are imported. Modifications and cancellations to bookings are also imported.
Existing bookings can be entered manually to block the dates at other channels, manually added bookings are not updated if modified by the channel.
Multiple Rates at Expedia
Expedia can support more than one price per room and date for example to send prices for different minimum stays, meal options or refundable and non-refundable prices. There are two options:
1. Derived (Linked) Prices
Expedia.com can auto calculate, link and derive rate prices using preset rules. Ask your Expedia.com rep to set this up. This option means you only need to send one rate from EffectiveTours to Expedia.com and Expedia.com will auto-calculate the other rate options.
2. Multiple Rate Plan Ids
Expedia.com can set up multiple rate plan ids for each room, each with pre-defined booking conditions. EffectiveTours can map a different EffectiveTours rate/daily price or offer to each Expedia.com rate plan id.
If you do not have the appropriate rate plan ids you need to request Expedia.com to add them.
Maximum number of accepted bookings
By default all available rooms are sent to activated channels.
Check Connection
The connection is working if you are not receiving error messages and the display in the channel is correct. If you are receiving error messages check in the “Common Errors” section why you are receiving the error and how to fix it.
Updates
Changes to availability will be instantly sent to the channel. Changes for settings for example minimum stays or number of rooms and prices will send with the next update. Click on “Export Hotels” if you want to push them through instantly.
Virtual Credit Cards
Virtual cards can be set to be auto charged at the date they become valid. This option is available for customers who use our payment gateway.
If you manually charge virtual credit cards please note that they can only be charged on the check-out date.
Setup Problems
1) The room is being unexpectedly closed at Expedia The channel manager will close the room on all dates which do not have a valid price available for sending to Expedia. Make sure you have prices for the complete range of dates you are sending.
2) “Room code is not unique” warning when saving in EffectiveTours. Each Expedia room type id is unique and can be mapped to only one room in EffectiveTours. If you enter the same Expedia room type id more than once the room updates will overwrite each other causing inaccurate information being sent to Expedia.
3) “Extra Person” prices cannot be exported but can still be set manually in Expedia.
4) If the room is for more then 2 guests you need a room price for the number of guests the room can accommodate.