Experience the difference of "Elite".

HOMETOGO - Any experience of this platform in our community?

Suzy T
Nov 11, 2022 7:17 AM
Joined May, 2022 21 posts

I'm seriously contemplating going onto the Home to Go platform with my direct website as I work towards migrating some of my business away from the traditional OTA's.

I would love to know what experiences other Owner Rez users as individual property owners with their own website are having using this platform?

 

 

Chandler S
Nov 11, 2022 12:05 PM
Joined Dec, 2019 30 posts

Our experience has been positive. We've received 5 bookings through HomeToGo in the last 12 months so it hasn't been a huge revenue driver, but the guests have been courteous and you have full control over the booking which is nice. 

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 13, 2022 2:36 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1129 posts

couple of bookings a year

Suzy T
Nov 16, 2022 5:02 PM
Joined May, 2022 21 posts

Our experience has been positive. We've received 5 bookings through HomeToGo in the last 12 months so it hasn't been a huge revenue driver, but the guests have been courteous and you have full control over the booking which is nice. 

Thank you so much for your feedback, Hostfolio.  I have a few follow-up questions, if you have time to answer them: 

1.  Inside OR, were you able to add their commission onto the base rates (just as we do with Airbnb and other channels)?

2.  How do you work with the 18 month calendar availability?  Is that an issue for you? 

3.  I am a little surprised by the Credit card information being given to the Host to input in their own system.  Isn't there a danger in this? What do you charge - the whole amount at once or a deposit to be followed up later with the balance (if the booking is ahead of time)?

4. Cancellation Policy:  I am assuming that this is something we can set ourselves.  Given that there is such a long calendar lead-time, did you then set a longer cancellation period with stricter rules for HTG bookings?

5. Instant Booking only:  do you find this an issue?  I understand that the booking must be confirmed with the host before the host will actually take the deposit or entire fees for the property  (I just set my Airbnb/VRBO bookings to "request to book"). 


Many thanks indeed.

 

Suzy

 

Chandler S
Nov 17, 2022 10:21 AM
Joined Dec, 2019 30 posts

1.  Inside OR, were you able to add their commission onto the base rates (just as we do with Airbnb and other channels)?

Yes you add your markup in the channel API section.

2.  How do you work with the 18 month calendar availability?  Is that an issue for you? 

We only allow our calendar to be open 365 days in advance, so this isn't an issue for us.

3.  I am a little surprised by the Credit card information being given to the Host to input in their own system.  Isn't there a danger in this? What do you charge - the whole amount at once or a deposit to be followed up later with the balance (if the booking is ahead of time)?

This is similar to all other API-connected channels outside of Airbnb. OR automatically charges the card on file once the guest supplies it. We charge 50% at booking at the remaining 50% 30 days before arrival. 

4. Cancellation Policy:  I am assuming that this is something we can set ourselves.  Given that there is such a long calendar lead-time, did you then set a longer cancellation period with stricter rules for HTG bookings?

Yes OR gives you some options to choose from. We prefer 100% back (minus $100 cancellation fee) outside of 60 days, 50% back between 30-60 days, and 0% back inside of 30 days. We've found this helps us manage out calendar more effectively if someone does cancel. 

5. Instant Booking only:  do you find this an issue?  I understand that the booking must be confirmed with the host before the host will actually take the deposit or entire fees for the property  (I just set my Airbnb/VRBO bookings to "request to book"). 

Instant Book hasn't been a problem for us. It could be we've just been lucky, but our HTG guests have been fine so far. Mostly families/groups in the 40-60 age range.

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 17, 2022 11:19 AM
Joined Jun, 2016 1129 posts

1. yes, just like any other channel

2. Just like any other channel - you specify on API settings

3. Not sure I understand. Vrbo does the same

4. Yes. My cancellation policy is the same on all channels

5. No. I have IB on vrbo as well as on my own website

 

Suzy T
Nov 17, 2022 11:30 AM
Joined May, 2022 21 posts

Thank you sooooo much for your time to answer my questions and for such great feedback.   I can't tell you how much I appreciate your input and I feel a lot more comfortable about working with this platform now! 

Have a wonderful day

Suzy

Suzy T
Nov 17, 2022 11:30 AM
Joined May, 2022 21 posts

Thank you so much for your feedback.  Very much appreciated.

 

Suzy