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[[Category:Channel Manager]]
This page is about the menus SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway and SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->VRBO/HOMEAWAY->CONTENT and explains how to set up an XML connection with VRBO/Homewaway and their companies
==General==
== Capabilities ==
*Export property listings content (create properties at VRBO/Homeaway)
*Export prices and availability
*Import bookings
Existing or new listings can be updated via XML. Data of existing listings will be overridden by the information the sent from Beds24. The VRBO/Homeaway implementation will be in touch with you and you can check with them if you want to keep certain data.
If you use the XML connection all updates should be done in Beds24 (not in VRBO/Homeaway) because changes you make in VRBO/Homeaway will be overridden with the next update.
== Limitations ==
*VRBO/Homeaway allows agencies with five or more listings to use their XML connection. If you are not eligible your can use our [[Homeaway.com_iCal| Homeway Ical]] connection to synchronise calendars.
== Before you connect ==
*We can only send availability if you have set up prices which are activated for this channel. This tutorial gives general information how to [[Setting_Prices_for_Booking_Channels|set prices for channels]].
NOTE: VRBO/Homeaway 'PULL' the data from Beds24, so if you make changes it may not be displayed in their extranet immediately. They will always request live availability before allowing a booking.
'''Bookings'''
VRBO/Homeaway does not allow same day bookings.
Only bookings made after the connection is established will be imported and can be managed. Existing bookings can be imported via iCal or manually.
VRBO/Homeaway does not send confirmation messages. They require these to be sent from Beds24. The confirmation message you have set up in SETTINGS->GUEST MANAGEMENT-CONFIRMATION MESSAGES will be sent to the guest.
== Set up ==
1. VRBO/Homeaway have to initiate the XML connection. *Please contact VRBO/Homeaway via this link https://www.homeawayVRBO/Homeaway.com/l/pmsc/connect?brand=beds24 and ask them to open a project for you to use Beds24 channel manager. *Send us a support ticket indicating you want to use the VRBO/Homeaway XML connection with following content:
**Company name
**Contact Person
We will forward this information to Homeway to speed the process up.
2. After VRBO/Homeaway have started a project for you we can generate your advertiser Id and send it to VRBO/Homeaway. Send us a support ticket with following content so we can do this:
*Your VRBO/Homeaway project ID*The E-mail address of your VRBO/Homeaway activation specialist.
VRBO/Homeaways XML activation applies per Beds24 account. All properties visible in an account can be connected. If you are managing properties for different owners or in different locations please check with VRBO/Homeaway how you need to structure your account to suit their requirements.
=== Languages ===
VRBO/Homeaway will inform you which language is compulsory. It is the language of the VRBO/Homeaway site you are listed. If this language is different from the language you use as default language for your booking page you can set it in SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER ->HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway ->SPECIFIC CONTENT.
If you need to activate languages go to SETTINGS->BOOKING ENGINE->INTERNATIONALISATION.
=== Listings ===
We now support VRBO/Homeaway's "multi-unit" listings and "single-unit" listings.
*With a single-unit listing (Listing per = Room - the recommended setting for new connections) a listing is created for every room in Beds24. The name is constructed from the "Property name" from SETTINGS-> PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION and the "-room name" from SETTINGS->PROPERTIES-> ROOMS->SETUP.
*With a multi-unit listings (Listing per = Property - the default - this option should only be used if each property only has one room) one property in Beds24 is a listing in VRBO/Homeaway. Rooms are units in this listing.
If you want to change between listing types you can do this in SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway->SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT. Before you change the setting you will need to talk to VRBO/Homeaway because certain data will get lost.
Go to SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway-> VIEW CONTENT to check if you content meets VRBO/Homeaways requirements. Any settings which do not meet VRBO/Homeaways requirements are highlighted on red. Click on the links in the "Settings" column to go to the settings where you can fix the problems.
==== Minimum Requirements ====
To send property information to VRBO/Homeaway, the following information must be entered into Beds24 to meet the VRBO/Homeaway minimum content requirement for listings:
*Property name
*Property type
You can also manually add bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities. For more information see "All feature codes" below.
VRBO/Homeaway does not support all features Beds24 offers. For a list of all feature codes VRBO/Homeaway supports see "All feature codes" below.
==== Amenities====
You can also manually add bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities. For more information see "All feature codes" below.
VRBO/Homeaway does not support all features Beds24 offers. For a list of all feature codes VRBO/Homeaway supports see "All feature codes" below.
==== Prices ====
In SETTINGS- >CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway XML ->SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT you can set which type of price you want to send.
With '''Per Occupancy Pricing''' a price for each occupancy defined in Beds24 and prices for different length of stay can be sent.
"Max Stay" set in the CALENDAR or rates can be sent.
Note: VRBO/Homeaway occupancy pricing only support minimum stays up to 30 days.
With '''Per Day Pricing''' the price sent is a room price, only ONE price can be sent per date. If you have multiple prices activated for VRBO/Homeaway with different minimum stays the system will send the price with the lowest minimum stay. VRBO/Homeaway applies the minimum stay " first night only" meaning restrictions must only be satisfied for the arrival date of the booking but not on every day of the booking. If you use daily prices with "Extra Person" prices your daily price needs to be set for the max occupancy and the "Extra Person" price needs to be added with a negative value so the price for the full occupancy can send. With Per Day Pricing you can also set an extra person price.
*The number of guests for which the price applies.
*An extra person price.
*A long stay discount. Discounts are only applied to the room price not on extras. VRBO/Homeaway stay discounts are cumulative.
'''Price for booking and Guaranteed Pricing'''
The indicative price is only used for the booking if "Pricing Policy" is set to "Guaranteed" in SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway XML ->SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.
"Pricing Policy" is set to "Quoted" VRBO/Homeaway will request the price for the period and the number of guests selected from Beds24.
<span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;" >Tip</span> Click on the "View Actual Data" Button to check which prices and availability will send.
==== Cleaning Fee ====
Cleaning fee is required by VRBO/Homeaway and if it is not set by one of these methods a value of zero will automatically be sent. You can enter the cleaning fee in SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER-->PROPERTY CONTENT->ROOM CONTENT.
==== Policies ====
VRBO/Homeaway requires a cancellation policy, we will send the policies set in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION.
VRBO/Homeaway requires a rental agreement, you can send one per property SETTINGS -> CHANNEL MANAGER -> HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway XML > Rental Agreement PDF URL, or for individual Units, SETTINGS -> CHANNEL MANAGER -> HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway XML > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT > Rental Agreement PDF URL. If you do not have a website you can use a service which supports direct links like https://www.docdroid.net.
You can set the minimum age via a "Custom" value in SETTINGS > CHANNEL MANAGER > HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway XML > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.
==== Children====
==== Pets====
If you do not allow pets you choose "Pets not allowed" as feature in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION. Fees for pets can be set as custom values in SETTINGS - > CHANNEL MANAGER - > HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway.COM -> SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.
=== Payments and Payment Schedule ===
By default payment is due on arrival. If payments are due at different times you can set up payment schedule in SETTINGS - > PAYMENTS - > PAYMENT SCHEDULE and link it to your property in SETTINGS - > CHANNEL MANAGER - > HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway.COM -> SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT.
If you have set up deposit collection in SETTINGS - > PAYMENTS- > PAYMENT COLLECTION we will send the deposit amount set there to be due at the time of the booking and the remainder if any at arrival.
In SETTINGS - > CHANNEL MANAGER - > HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway.COM -> SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT you can set which payment types you accept. Beds24 supports following payment options:
1. Invoice
If you choose "Invoice" you need to enter a description on how guests can pay in SETTINGS - > CHANNEL MANAGER - > HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway.COM -> SPECIFIC CONTENT "Payment Options Description "
2. Credit Card
== Activation ==
Enter your Homeway username and tick "Inventory", "Bookings" and "Prices" in SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAYVRBO/Homeaway.COM (NOT iCal).
==== Pictures====
VRBO/Homeaway supports property pictures and room pictures.
*The pictures activated as "Property Pictures" in SETTINGS->BOOKING ENGINE->PICTURES will be sent for the property. Make sure you have enabled at least 6 property pictures per listing.
*The pictures activated as "Room Pictures" in SETTINGS->BOOKING ENGINE->PICTURES will be sent for the room. If there are no room pictures then offer pictures will be sent for the room.
If you use external pictures you need to make sure they are .jpg format.
If you need to change a picture, add or change it's caption text to ensure it gets re-imported by VRBO/Homeaway.
*With a single-unit listing (Listing per Room) room pictures are sent first (in property section) and property pictures in room settings so not all listings look the same.
==== Check if data is complete and correct====
Go to SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->HOMEAWAY VRBO/Homeaway ->CONTENT or click on the "View content sent to VRBO/Homeaway" link.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements VRBO/Homeaway will reject all data sent.
To update the listing content click on the links on this page.
To check which information is sent to VRBO/Homeaway click on the "View actual data sent to VRBO/Homeaway" link. This will show you the raw data. A click on "View Actual Data" will show you which prices are sent.
== Cancellations ==
If you set a booking to "Cancelled" we will send it as "Cancelled by guest" to VRBO/Homeaway. If a different reason for the cancellation applies you can set this by adding one of the following info codes in to "Info" tab of the booking:
CANCELLED_BY_OWNER
CANCELLED_BY_OWNER_UNIT_NOT_AVAILABLE
NOTE: Never delete bookings from VRBO/Homeaway because VRBO/Homeaway expect to read the booking status even if they are cancelled.
== Updates ==
Changes to availability and prices will be instantly sent to the channel. Other changes will be pulled by VRBO/Homeaway with their next poll.
== 6. All feature codes ==
== VRBO/Homeaway.com Offline Bookings / Data protection==Homaway requires you mark bookings which originated from a VRBO/Homeaway enquiry by setting the Referer value on the detail tab of the booking to '''homeawayVRBO/Homeaway'''. VRBO/Homeaway requires you to enter the guests Email address in the booking.
VRBO/Homeaway will have access to these bookings for reporting purposes.
Make sure you comply with your local data protection laws.
==Common Errors==
Any errors reported by VRBO/Homeaway will be visible when checking the links
'''internal error constructing XML - to see the faulty XML
open https: //www.beds24.com/api/homeawayVRBO/Homeaway.com/HA-3.4/unitRates?roomid=XXXXX&show=novalidation ''' Please check you have selected the Channel (VRBO/Homeaway) in your RATES (Channel Tab) or Daily Prices (Enable)
