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VRBOVrbo.com,
VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo 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.
VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo requires you to have a '''credit card''' and a '''tax number / tax identifyer'''
VRBO/Homeaways Vrbos XML activation applies per Beds24 account. All properties owned by the connected Beds24 account or sub account can send to the connected VRBO 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 Vrbo Connect via Account" allows you to set that the property connects to VRBO Vrbo via a different account than the one owning it.
VRBO Vrbo defines the currency you can use for your VRBO 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.
VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo will have access to these bookings for reporting purposes.
VRBO Vrbo supports attachments in PDF, JPG, PNG, and GIF format.
VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo will inform you which language is compulsory. It is the language of the VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo 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 {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway > SPECIFIC CONTENT.
VRBO Vrbo defines the currency used in VRBOVrbo. You can use a multiplier if your currency in VRBO Vrbo is different from your currency in Beds24.
VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo requires a cancellation policy. We will send the policies set in SETTING->PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION.
VRBO Vrbo requires at least six pictures per listing.
no edit summary
<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 VRBOVrbo/Homewaway and their companies.
= Capabilities =
Via the XML connection Beds24 can
*Export property listings content (create listings at VRBO/HomeawayVrbo)*Update existing listings on VRBOVrbo
*Export prices and availability
*Import bookings
To allow accurate commission calculation we have to provide VRBO Vrbo with a feed which contains all VRBO Vrbo bookings.
If you use the XML connection all updates should be done in Beds24 (not in VRBO/HomeawayVrbo) because changes you make in VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo will be overridden with the next update.
The connection can update following VRBO Vrbo brands:
Homeaway.com,
abritel.fr,
aluguetemporada.com.br,
= Limitations =
*VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo do not allow same day bookings. *Most agencies/property managers can use VRBOs 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 Vrbo iCal]] connection to synchronise calendars.*You can not move properties which are connected between two Beds24 accounts which are connected to VRBO Vrbo if they have bookings because this will upset VRBOS 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 Vrbo because this will break the connection.'''
= Before you connect=
Only bookings made after the connection is established will be imported and can be managed. Existing bookings can be imported via iCal or manually.
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> We do not support sending different messages based on the type of payment for VRBOVrbo, the standard confirmation message will be sent.
==Properties, rooms and room types==
==You need==
= Setup =
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> VRBO 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 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 Vrbos requirements. Click on the button. Any settings which do not meet VRBOs 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'''
During the onboarding process VRBO Vrbo will ask you to enter your credit card and your tax number.
'''Step 3: Self-onboard to VRBO Vrbo '''
When at least one room is activated to sending you can start the self-onboarding process.
*If you have subaccounts double check you are logged into the account/subaccount you want to connect.
*Click on "Connect with VRBOVrbo. This will start VRBOs Vrbos self-onboarding process.
*Follow the steps.
This will automatically generate your "VRBO Vrbo Software User ID" which you can always see in in Beds24 under {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HOMEAWAY > ACCOUNT / MAPPING.
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> After you have connected with VRBO Vrbo you will have a "View Listings" button. When you click you will see the properties/rooms which are in Beds24 feed for VRBOVrbo.
[[File:connect_vrbo.mp4|640px]]
In VRBO Vrbo if you do not yet have a VRBO Vrbo account:
[[File:ssl_vrbo_new.mp4|640px]]
In VRBO if you do have a VRBO Vrbo account:
[[File:ssl_vrbo.mp4|640px]]
'''Step 6 - Check the listing status'''
*Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO > MAPPING
*Click on the "View Status at VRBOVrbo" button
*Check the content especially the "activeStatus"
'''Step 7 - Add your reviews (optional)'''
We can upload the reviews you already have to VRBOVrbo. 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 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 Vrbo tell your Vrbo activation specialist for how far back you have reviews and then reach out to us via a support ticket.
= VRBO/HomeawayVrbo.com Offline Bookings / Data protection=VRBO Vrbo requires you mark bookings which originated from a VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo enquiry by setting the Referer value on the "Details" tab of the booking to '''VRBOVrbo'''. VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo requires you to enter the guests Email address in the booking.
Make sure you comply with your local data protection laws.
= Updates =
Changes to availability and prices will be instantly sent to the channel. Other changes will be pulled by VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo with their next poll.
=Send and receive messages =
You can get communicate with VRBO Vrbo guest directly from Beds24. This function works for confirmed bookings only, inquiries/requests are currently not imported
You can view all messages from the "Messages" component on the DASHBOARD and individual communication from the "API Messages" tab in the booking.
1. Add the component "API Messages" to your [[:Category:Dashboard|DASHBOARD]]
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 Vrbo does not support HTML. You have the option to add a plain text message for this purpose.
<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 Vrbo account, otherwise this function will not work.
= Cancellations =
If you set a booking to "Cancelled" we will send it as "Cancelled by guest" (this is the default) to VRBO/HomeawayVrbo. 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 VRBOVrbo.
<div class="warning">{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} Never delete bookings from VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo because VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo expect to read the booking status even if they are cancelled.
</div>
If you want to offer a guest a special price ask the guest to book at full price. After the booking has been imported you can change the price and manually send the guest a confirmation with the revised price.
Beds24 will automatically send the amended price to VRBO Vrbo so VRBO Vrbo can adjust your commission.
=VRBO Vrbo commission=To allow accurate commission calculation we have to provide VRBO Vrbo with a feed which contains all VRBO 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 Vrbo will then not take this item into account when calculating the commission.
= Listing Content =
*Listings where guests do not have to pay the full amount with the booking perform better.
=== Languages ===
If you need to activate languages go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > INTERNATIONALISATION.
A listing is created for every room in Beds24.
*The "Headline" for the listing comes from "Room Headline" in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > PROPERTY CONTENT > ROOM CONTENT. If this field is empty the "Headline" in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > PROPERTY CONTENT will be used.
*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.
==== Minimum Requirements ====
To send property information to VRBO/HomeawayVrbo, the following information must be entered into Beds24 to meet the VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo 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.
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span>VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo does not support all features Beds24 offers. For a list of all feature codes VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo supports see "All feature codes" below.
==== Amenities, Features and Location Type====
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> Adding "cleaning" features and a "location type" is very important for your performance. You add them manually. Bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities can also be inserted manually. For more information see "All feature codes" below.
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> For a list of all feature codes and location types VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo supports see "All feature codes" below.
==== Prices ====
In {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT you can set which type of price you want to send.
With '''Per Occupancy Pricing (LOS)''' a price for each occupancy defined in Beds24 and prices for different length of stay can be sent.
<span style="color:#019cde; font-size: 150%;“ >{{#fas:info-circle}} </span> Beds24 sends the price for max. 16 guests. If your property accommodates more than 16 guests use "Per Day" pricing with an extra person price.
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo 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 Vrbo with different minimum stays the system will send the price with the lowest minimum stay. VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo 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 Vrbo 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.
=====Currency=====
You can either use a fixed factor for currency conversion or '''currency conversion''' template variables. All currencies supported by the booking page currency selector can be used.
Lower prices can be sent with a multiplier less than 1, i.e. '''*0.85*''' will send a price of 85% of the normal price (i.e. lowered by 15%).
Example 2 '''currency conversion''' template variables: '''*[CONVERT:THB-USD]*''' will convert THB to USD to send to VRBO Vrbo and store bookings converted into THB.
The * at the end will add an info item '''VRBO_MULTVrbo_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 Vrbo when VRBO 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 Vrbo read the booking status.
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span>VRBO Vrbo reads the bookings from Beds24 and calculates their commission from what they read. Do not manually convert the prices imported from VRBO Vrbo to convert currencies because VRBO Vrbo will then charge you wrong commission.
=====Price Multiplier=====
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.
The multiplier applies to all prices and fees which are sent.
===== Taxes & Fees=====
Taxes and fees can be added in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT under "Custom".
*Taxes and fees can apply as a flat fee, a percentage, per day or per guest.
Use the context help <span style=color:#007bff;“ >{{#far:question-circle}} </span> for detailed instructions.
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> A Cleaning fee is required by VRBO/Homeaway Vrbo 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.
==== Policies and Rules ====
===== Cancellation Policy =====
You can set which policy applies in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO > SPECIFIC ROOM CONTENT
===== Pets=====
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.
===== Children=====
===== Custom House Rules and Event Rules=====
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.
==== Payments and Payment Schedule ====
By default payment is due at the time of the booking.
*You can change this to "At Check-in " in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/Homeaway.COM > SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT.
If payments are due at different times you can set up payment schedules
*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.
You can set up a deposit collection we will send the deposit amount that is due at the time of the booking and the remainder if any at arrival.
*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.
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span>Listings where guests do not have to pay the full amount with the booking perform better. Payment Schedules allow you to set up to five payments.
You can set the Payment Types
* Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER -> VRBO/Homeaway.COM > SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONTENT.
Beds24 supports the following payment options:
1. Invoice
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 "
2. Credit Card
===== Collect payments based on your Payment schedule - Using Stripe =====
1. Setup the Payment schedule, this will send the details to VRBOVrbo. Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > CHANNEL MANAGER > VRBO/HomeawayVrbo.COM > PAYMENT SCHEDULE. Payment Schedules allow you to set up to five payments.
2. Guest credit card was sent to Stripe at the time of the booking.
==== Pictures====
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.
<span style=color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> 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/HomeawayVrbo.
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> Make sure you add captions to your pictures. Please see the pictures help page for instructions.
=Requests=
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 Vrbo periodically pulls booking information from Beds24 so they will receive the status change the next time they pull from us.
=View and reply to reviews=
=Common Errors=
'''The VRBO 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 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 Vrbo / Homeaway Connect via Account" allows you to set that the property connects to VRBO Vrbo via a different account than the one owning it.
'''Fix content errors and enable rooms before generating the VRBO Vrbo Software User ID'''
'''Fix content errors and enable rooms'''
Go back to step 2 in the chapter "Mapping"
'''VRBO Vrbo Software User ID not generated '''
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 Vrbos requirements. Any settings which do not meet VRBO/Homeaways Vrbos requirements are highlighted on red. Click on the links in the "Settings" column to go to the settings where you can fix the problems.
