General Help and Questions

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Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

Chris L
Jun 14, 2021 5:51 PM
Joined May, 2017 208 posts

LOL...then why did you bring TripAdvisor up in the first place? :D

New Co-host listing - half integrations 1 reply

CTK
Jun 14, 2021 12:24 PM
Joined Dec, 2020 33 posts

Hoping someone can help me out -

I just linked a new co-host on Airbnb. The calendar came in to block what's already booked - but I'm not getting any client info in OR. Someone just did an instant book and that hit OR, along with a message from the guest. However all my dynamic pricing isn't showing on Airbnb, nor the guest info in OR for the previous bookings. It's like there's a half sync going on, not a full.

When I go into API/Airbnb - I see the listing and it says "not synced" - but when I go to the sync tab - there's no property there. Anyone know what step I've missed?

Why am I getting back to back bookings? 2 replies

E & R Vacation R
Jun 14, 2021 11:55 AM
Joined Jan, 2020 56 posts

I haven't API'd yet, too busy, but I have the proper settings on VRBO and here, anyway, I'll double check as I just blocked everything on the one property so it won't happen. Once I've had a chance to API, I'll circle back.
thx

Airbnb Cohost Import - anything different? 4 replies

Ken T
Jun 11, 2021 8:57 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

For just the property import, though, it doesn't matter - OwnerRez is reading data on the public internet that anyone can see.

Airbnb Cohost Import - anything different? 4 replies

Ken T
Jun 11, 2021 8:57 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Probably - the Airbnb API cannot connect to properties you are co-hosting through your own account. You have to set up a separate API connection using the host's account:

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/channel-management-api-integrations-airbnb-common-issues-questions#multiple-accounts

Airbnb Cohost Import - anything different? 4 replies

CTK
Jun 11, 2021 7:34 PM
Joined Dec, 2020 33 posts

Looking to import an Airbnb listing - but I'll be co-host on this one - is there anything different I need to do either during import or day to day? Or just follow the guide walkthrough? VRBO I have to create net new listing for.

thanks

Airbnb, API, Request to Book 4 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 11, 2021 7:22 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Limited mode can push minimum night stay rules and other availability rules, as I mentioned. You can see the details of what exactly is synced in each mode in setup guide for Airbnb: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/channel-management-api-integrations-airbnb-setup-connecting#set (look at the bottom of the "Mapping properties" section).

What it can't push are the booking rules -- like booking mode, cancellation policy, check in/out time, etc.

I just added a reminder to the RTB article about the Limited mode resync issue, to clarify the process to set RTB for Limited sync: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/instant-book-vs-request-to-book#airbnb

Airbnb, API, Request to Book 4 replies

KEH
Jun 11, 2021 7:16 PM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

Now reading between the lines, you say "In Limited mode, the API doesn't have permission to set the booking mode (or any other booking rules...)..."

When you say 'booking rules'... are you saying that in limited mode it will push rates, but it won't push things such as minimum night stay rules?

Airbnb, API, Request to Book 4 replies

KEH
Jun 11, 2021 6:36 PM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

Chris Hynes said:

However, your account is in Limited sync mode. In Limited mode, the API doesn't have permission to set the booking mode (or any other booking rules, listing data, photos etc.). In limited sync mode, the API only has permissions to set rates, availability, and availability rules).


Then I must have missed this nuance that I assume you pointed out in the going api instructions or webinars that I watched?

The last time we went API somebody instant booked within hours, so we turned API off. Then i'm told we can now set 'request to book' via API, and unless I had checked we would have had the same issue yet again.

I'd love to trust OR and the data, but feel I have to second guess and go looking for issues before I can

Airbnb, API, Request to Book 4 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 11, 2021 6:24 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

This is not an international thing or a beta issue, but a combination of Airbnb defaults and permissions.

Airbnb automatically switches listings to instant booking when API connected. Normally this is fine -- we run an update upon connection to set the booking mode according to the setting you have in OwnerRez.

However, your account is in Limited sync mode. In Limited mode, the API doesn't have permission to set the booking mode (or any other booking rules, listing data, photos etc.). In limited sync mode, the API only has permissions to set rates, availability, and availability rules).

Instead, you have to set the booking rules on the Airbnb side -- since you've done that, you're good to go.

If you switch to Everything sync mode, that will also fix the issue -- we'll start pushing the booking mode from OwnerRez and it'll update accordingly.

Airbnb, API, Request to Book 4 replies

KEH
Jun 11, 2021 6:06 PM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

Yeah thanks for nothing!!!!!

To be honest, feeling really let down.

Tried to go API with airbnb 4 months ago. As soon as we did we realised that you had to be 'Instant Book' and had to quickly turn it off as that is not something we wanted.

Fast forward a few months and the rules had changed where you could select to be 'Request To Book' via API

After being burnt the first time around we made sure all our ducks were in a row. Got everything setup. Checked. Triple checked.

Turn on API

And BANG! our account is 'Instant Book'

Now I wish I could share screen shots here, but I can assure you our API connection is set up in OR as 'Request to Book', but Airbnb is ignoring that and we had to go in to Airbnb's setting to turn off instant book. My worry now is that when OR syncs back with Airbnb it will turn instant book back on even though that isn't how it's set in OR.

Is this yet another US/International thing that has fallen through the testing/beta stage? Is it just airbnb.com that is tested? and not airbnb.co.uk and all the other international sites???

As much as like ownerrez, i'm seriously feeling like a beta tester here without pay.

Payment (credit card) processors 7 replies

Ken T
Jun 10, 2021 9:26 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

This is an excellent question, and one for which the answer is not fully known and ever-changing.

1. If Stripe works in your country, then that will almost certainly work with OwnerRez for you. We are fully 3DS compliant and integrated with them.

2. As you noted, several of the major interchanges have international partners or parent companies, like Authorize.net and Elavon. As far as I'm aware, we don't have any international clients that are actually using them, so I can't say for sure if they'd work. If you'd like to give it a try, we'd be glad to help work with you and find out.

We are aware that our overseas coverage is not as good as it should be, and are working to fix that. It's surprisingly hard though, as the various systems often don't play well together, even within the same corporate entity.

Payment (credit card) processors 7 replies

KEH
Jun 10, 2021 5:26 PM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

OR has a couple of dozen payment processors it easily connects to (or so it would suggest from the payment tab menu). However most of these are US based... which is to be expected given OR's US based roots.

But with regards to international customers like ourselves (UK Based), what are our options?

Is it possible to connect any payment processing provider to OR? If so, how do we go about integration?

If not, what about international branches of the current names listed? For example Authorize.net's European arm is Cybersource, can they connect in the same way Authorize does?... Sage in the UK is now know as Opayo (part of Elavon which is see mentioned now and again), can Opayo/Elavon connect to OR in the same way as Sage US does?

Essentially what are our options as UK based customers of OR, to connect credit/debit card processors to OR's back end system?

Cheers

Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

KEH
Jun 10, 2021 5:06 PM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

BlueMtnCabins said:


Api connection to Airbnb is not dependent on Tripadvisor

I didn't say it was.

Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Jun 10, 2021 11:58 AM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

Rob D said:

The plan is to go api with Airbnb, however we can’t go api with trip advisor as we don’t meet their criteria, so now wondering if the same issue may occur when channel bridging tripadvisor?

Api connection to Airbnb is not dependent on Tripadvisor

Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

Ken T
Jun 10, 2021 10:46 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Channel Bridge doesn't support TripAdvisor the same way - it can only bring in reviews. So this will not affect it.

Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

KEH
Jun 10, 2021 9:01 AM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

The plan is to go api with Airbnb, however we can’t go api with trip advisor as we don’t meet their criteria, so now wondering if the same issue may occur when channel bridging tripadvisor?

Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 10, 2021 8:17 AM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

I'd recommend using the Airbnb API connection -- that will automatically update the guest counts on the booking when they change in Airbnb.

Potential issue with AirBnB channel bridge 6 replies

KEH
Jun 10, 2021 7:29 AM
Joined Feb, 2021 37 posts

Noticed what I think is a slight hole when channel bridging Airbnb.

We’ve been importing bookings from Airbnb via channel bridge with no issue, however recently noticed that on one booking where the guests numbers changed on Airbnb, channel bridge did not pick up on this change.

Essentially it was a booking originally for 7 guests, which some weeks later they asked us to change it to 6.. all changed on Airbnb and expected it to be updated on the next channel bridge, but no, the guest number on OR stayed at 7.

In the end we deleted the booking in ownerrez, then channel bridged again and it brought the booking back in, but this time with the correct number of guests i.e. 6

Any help guys?

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

CatP
Jun 9, 2021 1:46 PM
Joined May, 2019 11 posts

Note: If you have the Airbnb app installed, you have to uninstall it before you can see the option to do the calendar synch ( above ).
For some reason with the app installed, when you click on the listing to edit, it gives you a different screen with limited options. If you click on Availability, it automatically takes you to the app where you cannot see the option to do a calendar synch.
Anyone else run in to this same problem, I wonder?
* I uninstalled the app, and everything worked as you described.

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

Paul W
Jun 8, 2021 9:34 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

Cat, you're using a smartphone which will look differently than a desktop/laptop will look. For configuring calendar import (iCal) we recommend using a bigger screen like a desktop or laptop.

However, you can use a smartphone and still get it to work. I used a Samsung Note, exactly as you are, to reproduce the process. Here are the screenshots of how it looks using a Samsung Note with Android.

After logging into Airbnb, go to the Profile menu and then click Manage Your Listing:

Then click the top right menu button and click on Listings:

It will show you a list of your properties. Find your listing and click on it to drill in:

After the listing loads, click on Pricing and Availability:

Scroll down a ways, and you'll see a Calendar Sync section with Import and Export options:

In my picture, the Import option is disabled because this Airbnb account has API integration in place. If you don't have API integration in place, your Import option will be clickable.

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

CatP
Jun 7, 2021 6:22 PM
Joined May, 2019 11 posts

Hi, Chris, on my Samsung notebook ( android) this is not where I found a link. I had to go to the Dashboard then Reservations. Under Reservations it gives you the option to sync their calendar to another site, but I did not find any option to Import.
I sent Ken screenshots, etc.
Even when I selected desktop view, the calendar, availability when selected automatically took me to their app which does not have the import/export feature.
I read their forums. Maybe using a PC is the only way to do this option.

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 7, 2021 4:53 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

They've relabled the location of the calendar import/export. I just updated the article: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/channel-management-calendar-import-export-airbnb

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

CatP
Jun 7, 2021 4:47 PM
Joined May, 2019 11 posts

Yes. There is no place on the Airbnb site or app that we can add a link to Import reservation from another site like OR, VRBO, etc. They must be added to the Airbnb calendar manually OR we have to set up an API connection.
Please tell your Airbnb connections that this is a step backward.
Thank you, Ken.

Airbnb quick reply template through OR? 5 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 7, 2021 1:56 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Yep, that's what I was mentioning with template selection only working for bookings right now. It's actually not based on where you came from, but whether the guest has bookings...

If you have a future booking for a guest, it will show the "Use Template". If there are no bookings for the guest, or all bookings are in the past, then it won't show the option.

We are working on adding more features for the messaging, but I don't have an ETA for you yet.

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

Ken T
Jun 7, 2021 11:14 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Are you saying that the instructions and screenshots on this page need to be updated?

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/channel-management-calendar-import-export-airbnb

Airbnb quick reply template through OR? 5 replies

Kate M
Jun 7, 2021 11:13 AM
Joined Apr, 2021 15 posts

Chris -

There seems to be two different conversation screens in OR! When I go to CRM->Inbox-> then select the thread with the guest, there's NO option for templates (only button is for "attach file"). However, if I go to the booking tab-> select the booking -> click on the conversations link in the upper right, then it opens up "Conversation with X" and shows a button to "select template" as well as for "attach file". These screens are virtually identical except for the template button being on one and not the other.

I'm happy you've helped me find how to do it, but seems adding the "use template" to the other conversation screen would be helpful too!

Thanks!

Airbnb quick reply template through OR? 5 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 7, 2021 10:42 AM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Is it a booking related template? Currently we only support booking related Airbnb templates, not inquiry ones yet.

If it is, go to Settings > Templates, switch to the Airbnb tab, and add the template there. You don't need a trigger because you're adding it manually.

Then go to the Conversation view for the guest and use the "Use Template" button to switch to that template.

Airbnb quick reply template through OR? 5 replies

Kate M
Jun 7, 2021 4:06 AM
Joined Apr, 2021 15 posts

I've set up Airbnb templates and triggers, but I have one template that I want to manually send. I don't see a way to select the template to send to the Airbnb guest through the OR messaging thread. I don't want to try to email their email/blind email, I'd like to be able to select the template with all the field codes and send it through OR airbnb messaging.

In the Airbnb app (not through OR) there's quick replies with fields, so I was surprised OR didn't have this option. Did I miss it somewhere?

Correction to Airbnb ical import & export 6 replies

CatP
Jun 6, 2021 7:31 PM
Joined May, 2019 11 posts

Hi, the correct place to put ical links in Airbnb is under Reservations, not Availability.
And- I still cannot find how to import the OR calendar TO Airbnb. Other Hosts have said that because of this same issue, they are manually updating their Airbnb calendar with bookings from other platforms.