VRBO Setup: Difference between revisions

<div class="heading">Connect with VRBO / Homeaway Group</div>

  This page is about the menu {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY > ACCOUNT  and {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY >  MAPPING and explains how connect to VRBO/Homewaway and their companies.

*Export property listings content (create listings at VRBO/Homeaway)

*Update existing listings on VRBO

To allow accurate commission calculation we have to provide VRBO with a feed which contains all VRBO bookings.

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.  

The connection can update following VRBO brands:

VRBO.com,

*VRBO/Homeaway do not allow same day bookings.  

*Most agencies/property managers can use VRBOs XML connection but you must have a tax number and a credit card.  If you are not eligible your can use our [[Homeaway.com_iCal| VRBO iCal]] connection to synchronise calendars.

*You can not move properties which are connected between two Beds24 accounts which are connected to VRBO if they have bookings because this will upset VRBOS commission calculation and you might get charged twice.  

 

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span> '''You can not change your username when connected to VRBO because this will break the connection.'''

VRBO/Homeaway does not send confirmation messages. They require these to be sent from Beds24. The confirmation message you have set up in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  GUEST MANAGEMENT > CONFIRMATION MESSAGES will be sent to the guest.

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span> We do not support sending different messages based on the type of payment for VRBO, the standard confirmation message will be sent.

VRBO/Homeaway requires you to have a '''credit card''' and a '''tax number / tax identifyer'''

VRBO/Homeaways XML activation applies per Beds24 account. All properties owned by the connected Beds24 account or sub account can send to the connected VRBO account.  If you want to connect properties owned by different account/sub accounts you can override this.  Click on the 'User' icon on the top right and then on 'Account Management (in the old control panel SUB ACCOUNT in the top right) Manage Account > Manage Property  and go to "Channel Management". The setting  "VRBO / Homeaway Connect via Account" allows you to set  that the property connects to VRBO via a different account than the one owning it.

<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> VRBO provides a self-onboarding tool which is started from Beds24. If self-onboarding is not available in your region you will not be able to complete the setup and VRBO will automatically create a support case and get in touch with you.  

''' Step 1: Activate your rooms'''

Go to  {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY > MAPPING and tick "Enable" for all rooms you want to connect. Click on HELP <span style="color:#007bff;“ >{{#far:question-circle}}  </span>  in the top right of this page for detailed instructions.  

If you see a red button "Fix Content Errors" your content does not meet VRBOs requirements. Click on the button. Any settings which do not meet VRBOs requirements are highlighted on red. Click on the links to go to the settings where you can fix the problems.

'''Step 2: Have your credit card and your tax number/tax identifier on hand'''

'''Step 3: Self-onboard to VRBO '''

*If you have subaccounts double check you are logged into the account/subaccount you want to connect.

This will automatically generate your "VRBO Software User ID" which you can always see in in Beds24 under {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY > ACCOUNT / MAPPING.

VRBO defines the currency you can use for your VRBO account. Make sure this currency is set in  {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY > ACCOUNT and is used in all properties in this Beds24 account. If you use a different currency in Beds24 you can set a multiplier in  {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY > MAPPING. Click on HELP <span style="color:#007bff;“ >{{#far:question-circle}}  </span> in the top right of this page for detailed instructions.

<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> After you have connected with VRBO you will have a "View Listings" button. When you click you will see the properties/rooms which are in Beds24 feed for VRBO.

In Beds24:  

[[File:connect_vrbo.mp4|640px]]

In VRBO if you do not yet have a VRBO account:  

In VRBO if you do have a VRBO account:  

'''Step 5 - Enter registration (optional if registration is mandatory)'''

'''Step 6 - Check the listing status'''

*Click on the "View Status at VRBO" button  

'''Step 7 - Add your reviews (optional)'''

 

We can upload the reviews you already have to VRBO. VRBO only accepts direct reviews including reviews from your own website,Tripadvisor, Google or other sources for which you have the right to use them on your own website. VRBO will not accept any reviews from other OTAs including Airbnb or Booking.com.

If you want us to send your reviews to VRBO please reach out to us via a support ticket.

= VRBO/Homeaway.com Offline Bookings / Data protection=

VRBO requires you mark bookings which originated from a VRBO/Homeaway enquiry by setting the Referer value on the "Details" tab of the booking to '''VRBO'''. VRBO/Homeaway requires you to enter the guests Email address in the booking.

VRBO/Homeaway will have access to these bookings for reporting purposes.

Changes to availability and prices will be instantly sent to the channel. Other changes will be pulled by VRBO/Homeaway with their next poll.

You can get communicate with VRBO guest directly from Beds24. This function works for confirmed bookings only, inquiries/requests  are currently not imported

2. To send Auto Action Emails via messaging set "Send Message" on the "Messaging" tab in the Auto Action to one of the API options.  We will remove the HTML from the message because VRBO does not support HTML. You have the option to add a plain text message for this purpose.  

VRBO supports attachments in PDF, JPG, PNG, and GIF format.  

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span> If you have moved the booking to a different room (manually or via dependencies), then ensure that both properties/rooms are connected with the same VRBO account, otherwise this function will not work.

If you set a booking to "Cancelled" we will send it as "Cancelled by guest" (this is the default) to VRBO/Homeaway. If the booking is cancelled by the host you can set this as a "substatus" via the second selector next to the "Cancelled" status in the "Summary" tab of the booking, we will then send "Cancelled by Owner" to VRBO.

<div class="warning">{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} Never delete bookings from VRBO/Homeaway because VRBO/Homeaway expect to read the booking status even if they are cancelled.

Beds24 will automatically send the amended price to VRBO so VRBO can adjust your commission.

=VRBO commission=

To allow accurate commission calculation we have to provide VRBO with a feed which contains all VRBO bookings.

If you have added on-site services to the booking, you can add the status '''stayfee''' to them. The status needs to start with stayfee but you can add to is for example stayfee_tour. VRBO will then not take this item into account when calculating the commission.

*The "Property Name" comes from the "Name" in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  PROPERTIES > DESCRIPTION. If you want to give each listing its own property name even though they are in one property in Beds24 you can enter a unique "Name"  for each in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO / HOMEAWAY > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.

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:

*At least 6 pictures for each listing recommended resolution of 1920x1080.  

Bedrooms and bathrooms can be set up  in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > ROOMS->SET UP.

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span>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 and Location Type can be set up for the property {{#fas:cog}} (SETTING) ->PROPERTIES->DESCRIPTION) or per room {{#fas:cog}} (SETTING) ->PROPERTIES->ROOMS->SET UP).

Example 1: All units (rooms) have Internet. In this case you can set up the Internet in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTING)->PROPERTIES->DESCRIPTION. The number will be applied to all room/units.

Example 2: You have one unit with  Internet one and another unit without Internet. In this case set the Internet up in SETTING->PROPERTIES->ROOMS->SET UP.

<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> For a list of all feature codes and location types VRBO/Homeaway supports see "All feature codes" below.

In {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT you can set which type of price you want to send.

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span> 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.

*A long stay discount. Discounts are only applied to the room price not on extras. VRBO/Homeaway stay discounts are cumulative.

<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> Click on the "View Actual Data" button in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER- >VRBO/HOMEAWAY > MAPPING  to check which prices and availability will send.

VRBO defines the currency used in VRBO. You can use a multiplier if your currency in VRBO is different from your currency in Beds24.  

Example 2  '''currency conversion''' template variables: '''*[CONVERT:THB-USD]*''' will convert THB to USD to send to VRBO and store bookings converted into THB.  

The * at the end will  add an info item '''VRBO_MULT''' to the booking with the conversion rate applied to the imported booking. This info item is used to convert the financial figures back to the values originally sent by VRBO when VRBO check the status of the booking.

For example 2 the info code VRBO_MULT will convert the THB in the booking to USD when VRBO read the booking status.

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span>VRBO reads the bookings from Beds24 and calculates their commission from what they read.  Do not manually convert the prices imported from VRBO to convert currencies because VRBO will then charge you wrong commission.

If you want to add a markup to your prices you can add it to the "Price Multiplier" field in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > MAPPING.

Taxes and fees can be added in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT under "Custom".  

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}}  </span>  A 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 {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER  > PROPERTY CONTENT >ROOM CONTENT.

VRBO/Homeaway requires a cancellation policy. We will send the policies set in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION.

If you do not allow pets you choose "Pets not allowed" as feature in S {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  PROPERTIES > DESCRIPTION. Fees for pets can be set as custom values in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER -> VRBO/HOMEAWAY > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.

If you allow children set the number of children which are allowed or "Dont ask" in the setting for  "Maximum Children" in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> ROOMS -> SETUP.

If you want to send a custom house rules you can enter them in the "Custom" setting at the menu {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT.

*You can change this to "At Check-in " in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER  > VRBO/Homeaway.COM  > SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT.

*Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  > CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > PAYMENT SCHEDULE  

*Then link it to your property in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER  > VRBO/Homeaway.COM  > SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT.

*Go to{{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > PAYMENT SCHEDULE and set Payment 1 with 'Days After Booking' = 0 and then the amount required.  

* Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER -> VRBO/Homeaway.COM  > SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT.

If you choose "Invoice" you need to enter a description on how guests can pay in  {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)   CHANNEL MANAGER -> VRBO/HOMEAWAY.COM > SPECIFIC CONTENT "Payment Options Description "

The cards you have activated in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)   PAYMENTS -> PAYMENT GATEWAYS -> CREDIT CARD  will be sent as accepted cards.

1. Setup the Payment schedule, this will send the details to VRBO. Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  > CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > PAYMENT SCHEDULE. Payment Schedules allow you to set up to five payments.  

VRBO requires at least six pictures per listing.  

Room pictures are sent. These are the pictures activated as  "Room Pictures" in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  BOOKING ENGINE > PICTURES  Only if there are no room pictures activate property pictures  are sent. These are the pictures activated as  "Property Pictures" in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > PICTURES.

If you need to change a picture, add or change it's caption text to ensure it gets re-imported by VRBO/Homeaway.

If your listing is set to "Having listings on "Request" requests will import with the status "Inquiry" which does not block the room. If you want to confirm the booking you will need to make sure there is availability and then change the status to "Confirmed". VRBO periodically pulls booking information from Beds24 so they will receive the status change the next time they pull from us.

=Common Errors=

  '''The VRBO connection for this property is managed by account ....'''

'''It cannot be mapped to this account.'''

Only properties owned by the connected Beds24 account or sub account can send to the connected VRBO account. If you want to connect properties owned by different account/sub accounts you can override this. Click on the 'User' icon on the top right and then on 'Account Management (in the old control panel SUB ACCOUNT in the top right) Manage Account > Manage Property and go to "Channel Management". The setting "VRBO / Homeaway Connect via Account" allows you to set that the property connects to VRBO via a different account than the one owning it.  

  '''Fix content errors and enable rooms before generating the VRBO Software User ID'''

'''Fix content errors and enable rooms'''

  Go back to step 2 in the chapter "Mapping"

  Go back to step 4 in the chapter "Mapping"

'''internal error constructing XML '''

  Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)  CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/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.