General Help and Questions

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Igloo Lockbox 3 replies

Renee C
Nov 18, 2025 2:22 PM
Joined Feb, 2024 38 posts

Thanks - yes I found the documentation and I got the bridge. I haven't had luck with it yet (also haven't spent a ton of time trying yet either). Since I can bring the lockbox in to the house near the router/bridge that shouldn't be an issue.

I was having trouble getting the lockbox code to update to the lock so I need to try again.

Igloo Lockbox 3 replies

Douglas C
Nov 18, 2025 1:30 PM
Joined Oct, 2025 4 posts

I use an Igloo lockbox on one of our properties. There are a couple of options:

  1. You can generate algorithmic codes automatically from OwnerRez. This is the advantage of not requiring any internet connection for the lockbox, or, in fact, any real network connection between OwnerRez and the lockbox at all.  The downside with algorithmic codes is that they're long (9 digits). That can increase friction for guests sometimes. I've literally watched a guest struggle to put their code into a lockbox until I finally unlocked it for them myself.  This may not be an issue for you, and the ability to algorithmically generate the codes without an internet connection could be an advantage. There are some tricky things to be aware of for those algo codes. For example, they must be used within 24 hours of the start time that they're activated for, or they will expire automatically. 
  2. You can get a Wi-Fi bridge that will connect the Bluetooth lock box to the Internet. Technically, this can then be integrated with OwnerRez so you can do things like generate codes based on the last four digits of a phone number. However, this requires your bridge to have permanent plug-in power. Be within a Wi-Fi router distance. And be within just a few feet of the lock box in order to communicate with it over Bluetooth. I've also personally found this to be an incredibly unreliable configuration. It probably would not work at all for your environment with a car. Unless you can put the bridge and a Wi-Fi connection right next to the parking spot.

 

All that said, I just came here on the forums to try to find examples of other people using Keyboxes that are integrated with OwnerRez because I'm finding that the Wi-Fi bridge solution for my Igloo keybox is really unreliable.

New Confirm & Pay Form 3 replies

Alece
Nov 17, 2025 11:24 AM
Joined Jan, 2020 295 posts

@Katie - thank you for pointing us in the right direction to update this text in Form Messages. While the update text page allows us to include formatting (bold, font, line breaks, links), it does not seem that the destination actually allows for it: 

As the guest is unable to make changes on this screen (should the dates, number of guests/pets, etc. be incorrect), they will have to be directed to email us to make those changes on their behalf. (Bummer #1.) Being able to add our email address into that text box as a clickable link is needed to make this process as streamlined and easy as possible for our guests. Is there plans to make this destination text box accept the formatting added in the Edit screen?? 

 

New Confirm & Pay Form 3 replies

Becca B
Nov 14, 2025 9:04 PM
Joined Jan, 2023 18 posts

Thank you! I noticed I'm unable to bold anything or insert any coding into that form message. Will that be updated in the future? 

 

Additionally, when checking out on this new Confirm & Pay form this is the message for paying with check. It is not correct for my vacation rental policies, where do I update it? 

Credit card fees surcharge on direct booking 4 replies

Karen H
Nov 14, 2025 5:30 PM
Joined May, 2025 5 posts

Ok so that was my next question...Stripe charges me on the total. Is there not a way to add it to the total amount and not just the subtotal? Or is there some kind of work around? Could you charge the guest separately for the cc fee after they book? May not be worth it on smaller bookings, but larger bookings start to add up.

 

 

New Confirm & Pay Form 3 replies

Katie W
Nov 14, 2025 3:45 PM
OR Team Member Joined Jul, 2023 46 posts

Hey Becca!

If you'd like to update the text that's displayed underneath Confirm and Pay, this can be done by going to Settings > Form Messages > click Create message > select Quote Confirm & Pay - Step (1) Confirm / Pay Page from the drop-down. On the following page, you can update what you'd like it to display underneath the Confirm and Pay form, then save the changes. Once you do, it should show the updated text underneath Confirm and Pay: 

New Confirm & Pay Form 3 replies

Becca B
Nov 14, 2025 1:37 PM
Joined Jan, 2023 18 posts

Looking for some assistance! Where do you update the wording below Confirm & Pay on the new "confirm & pay form" that launched in the October update? Previously, we could alter the wording on the booking process screens under Settings - Form Messages. Those screens don't seem to apply anymore with the new update. Thanks for the help!

Credit card fees surcharge on direct booking 4 replies

Alece
Nov 14, 2025 1:07 PM
Joined Jan, 2020 295 posts

Make note that adding it this way will only apply the percentage to Rent and not your additional surcharges (pet fee, cleaning fee, etc.). There is a feature request out there for a new-style surcharge that will apply to rent + surcharges:

https://www.ownerrez.com/forums/requests/allow-a-new-style-surcharge-that-can-apply-a-to-rentsurcharges-for-cc-processing-fees

Credit card fees surcharge on direct booking 4 replies

Katie W
Nov 14, 2025 11:09 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jul, 2023 46 posts

Hi Karen!

If you'd like to add a credit card surcharge for your guests who book on your website, you can create a new surcharge for this by going to Settings > Surcharges > click Create Surcharge > select Rate Adjustment under Standard Fees. From there, you can select the category, description, and amount. More on how to set this up here: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/surcharges-common-issues-questions#credit-card-fee

If you only want this to apply to bookings from your website, you can do this by adding a condition to the surcharge. Select Listing Site is One of, and then select your listing site from the drop-down. 

Credit card fees surcharge on direct booking 4 replies

Karen H
Nov 13, 2025 5:37 PM
Joined May, 2025 5 posts

Hello, I'm trying to find where to add the credit card surcharge for my direct booking website. Is there a place we can add that? If a guests books direct, I would like a 4% fee added to cover the credit card fee. 

 

Quote Error message: Service bad request error: Could not complete request, input was malformed. (status code 400) 1 reply

Michael E
Nov 12, 2025 5:43 PM
OR Team Member Joined May, 2024 9 posts

Hi Fran, I've got some follow-up questions that would make this a better conversation to have with a support ticket.  I'll be sending you an email to follow up further.

Mutual blocking 1 reply

Michael E
Nov 12, 2025 5:19 PM
OR Team Member Joined May, 2024 9 posts

There is not at this time. In the ribbon view, one mutual block can be generated from multiple bookings, so there is not a booking to block relationship.

Heads up for anyone using Ascent or Elavon for payment processing 0 replies

churchstreet
Nov 11, 2025 9:52 PM
Joined Oct, 2019 6 posts

Hi all,

Just wanted to share what I’ve recently uncovered in case it helps someone else.

In 2019 I signed up for credit card processing through Ascent Processing, which eventually switched me over to Elavon (US Bank). I was told I’d get a competitive flat rate around 3.3%, which seemed fine for my vacation rentals. Over time, though, I realized my effective rates were running 5–7%, even in normal months with steady volume.  I always found the entire system confusing to navigate and opaque overall, which is why I suspected the rates we were paying were too high but was never able to get to the bottom of it.  

Recently, after months of digging and talking to multiple reps, I finally found out my account had been set up with the wrong MCC code (7011 – Lodging). That code is meant for hotels and resorts, and Visa expects extra “lodging data” that vacation rental systems like OwnerRez don’t send. Because of that, every Visa transaction downgraded to a higher-cost tier. In other words, my account was misconfigured from the start.

Elavon admits this now and says they can fix the MCC and move me to a flat-rate plan, but they’ve refused to refund the overcharges — saying Ascent was the one who set it up wrong. Ascent, of course, points back at Elavon. Meanwhile, I was also getting hit with $75/month PCI “non-compliance” fees for years, with no outreach or help on how to fix it.

If you’re using Elavon or Ascent, check your MCC code right away (if it says 7011 Lodging, you’re probably overpaying) and make sure your PCI compliance is current.

I’ve switched to Stripe now (flat 2.9% + 30¢, no PCI or downgrade nonsense), but I’m still trying to get Elavon/Ascent to make this right. Posting this so others don’t end up stuck like I was.

Forced Changed: "Simplifying Airbnb service fees" 49 replies

Elliot H
Nov 8, 2025 3:00 PM
Joined Oct, 2025 29 posts

Update: I just heard back from Airbnb tech support. Apparently there's a system-wide update going out to all hosts (not just PMS-connected ones) on December 1st, and they are anticipating that our fee structure will update at that time (but they're not going to solidly commit to a timeline either!).

Pricelabs 7 replies

Lisa-Marie S
Nov 7, 2025 1:26 PM
Joined Sep, 2025 1 post

I have linked my pricelabs and ownerrez, however only my airbnb connection is showing up in ownerrez. I have tried clicking "add/reimport" but vrbo and booking.com listings are not showing up. How do I go about fixing this?

Mutual blocking 1 reply

Jacob H
Nov 6, 2025 5:41 PM
Joined May, 2023 4 posts

When a property has multiple units with separate listings, is there a way to have the same reservation name appear on all the mutually blocked listings?

 

How to set up annual festival events? 4 replies

Katie W
Nov 6, 2025 5:18 PM
OR Team Member Joined Jul, 2023 46 posts

Hey Kael!

You should be able to accomplish with Specific Date seasons. You can create a season for specific dates of the year, and set seasonal rates to apply to the dates in question. We have these support articles that go over setting up seasons and seasonal rates:
https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/seasonal-rules
https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/seasonal-defaults

Quote Error message: Service bad request error: Could not complete request, input was malformed. (status code 400) 1 reply

Fran S
Nov 6, 2025 2:07 PM
Joined Sep, 2025 1 post

I keep getting this error message "Service bad request error: Could not complete request, input was malformed. (status code 400)" and can't send a quote. Is there a way to fix this?

Credit card fee vs pay-by-check discount 22 replies

Holly L
Nov 5, 2025 10:54 PM
Joined Jun, 2022 9 posts

Yes, that test worked. The guest must not have selected the option.

Collecting and remitting taxes 1 reply

Michael E
Nov 5, 2025 5:54 PM
OR Team Member Joined May, 2024 9 posts

Vrbo does not offer a 'limited' API integration. However, we are all anxiously hoping and waiting to see if the rumor is true that Vrbo may soon offer the option to leave the merchant of record duties of payment and tax collection with them. This would eliminate one of the final hurdles that keep some from embracing API channel integration.

Credit card fee vs pay-by-check discount 22 replies

Michael E
Nov 5, 2025 3:57 PM
OR Team Member Joined May, 2024 9 posts

I have an option for guests to select a discount if they pay via check instead of credit card. However, when they selected this option, it did not update the charges on the booking. Therefore, the email that it sent the guest had the wrong total amount. Do I just have to fix this manually?

by Holly L – Nov 5, 2025 12:55 AM (UTC)

Hi Holly, both a Discount Code and an Optional Discount should work to provide the option that you want. I tested both in your account by creating a quote and a 'payment form' link.  Both worked perfectly. Both added the discount and lowered the total price. Try it yourself! Create a 'Payment Form' from the Quotes menu and then 'View Form'. It's easy to test when you allow manual payment methods. You don't have to be afraid of credit card charges for a test! If you still don't think it works, please submit this as a support request. Please include screenshots, booking (ORB) numbers, and as much information as you can. 

For this specific guest, if they booked and the total was wrong, you would have to manually add the discount to Bookings > Charges

 

Credit card fee vs pay-by-check discount 22 replies

Holly L
Nov 4, 2025 7:55 PM
Joined Jun, 2022 9 posts

I have an option for guests to select a discount if they pay via check instead of credit card. However, when they selected this option, it did not update the charges on the booking. Therefore, the email that it sent the guest had the wrong total amount. Do I just have to fix this manually?

How do I add an extra night via OR without going through Airbnb? 4 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 4, 2025 3:14 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1184 posts

simple. 1st, Unlink the booking from the channel; 2nd, change/move booking to update the new check-in/out dates; 3. I suggest "stick with current charges". 4. Edit charges and add a line with the amount for the extra night (before tax) above the tax lines. Save. 5. Go to Booking > Transactions tab. You will see that guest now has a balance for an extra night (plus tax). Here you can do one of the 2 things:

 

1) click on payments > request payment from guest (assuming you already have their real email because they provided it when they esigned the Rental agreement) > send

2) if you already have the guest's credit card number on file (for sec dep) AND the guest agreed to charge an extra night to the same card, do Payments > Collect payment (Run card). 

 

 

How do i do direct bookings through ownerez? 2 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 4, 2025 3:05 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1184 posts

Simplest way:  Quotes> Create quote > add your recipient's email > send. They can book using that emailed quote. Keep in mind that if you want them to pay through that quote, you need to have at least 1 payment method established within OR. 

Here is an article - easy to find in the support center by searching "direct bookings" https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/overview-setting-up-direct-bookings-from-start-to-finish-video

Forced Changed: "Simplifying Airbnb service fees" 49 replies

Elliot H
Nov 1, 2025 6:40 PM
Joined Oct, 2025 29 posts

@Gina V: Wow, I'm not sure how I missed that when I was reading through! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Forced Changed: "Simplifying Airbnb service fees" 49 replies

Gina V
Oct 30, 2025 6:29 PM
Joined Aug, 2025 2 posts

Yes, see my post above. Still waiting for the “forced” change as of right now. Very frustrating to be told it’s 10/27/25 and here 3 days later, still on split fee.

Forced Changed: "Simplifying Airbnb service fees" 49 replies

Elliot H
Oct 30, 2025 6:28 PM
Joined Oct, 2025 29 posts

@Joe L - I know I've had issues with the Error tag getting stuck displaying, even though the error itself was corrected hours earlier. A couple nights' rest, computer restarts, and page refreshes seem to take care of it.

Forced Changed: "Simplifying Airbnb service fees" 49 replies

Elliot H
Oct 30, 2025 6:26 PM
Joined Oct, 2025 29 posts

Anyone else having issues with not actually being switched over yet? I went through a lot of work over the last two days updating all our rates to avoid giving away too many bookings at a 15.5% discount (our situation precludes using the 15.5%-surcharge method OR recommends). Then I was testing our rates this morning, and it's still using the split-fee pricing structure. This despite Airbnb insisting on numerous emails that the single-fee pricing is live on our account. They recommended we reach out to OR Help to try to figure it out. How in the world could this be an OR issue?

Forced Changed: "Simplifying Airbnb service fees" 49 replies

Joe L
Oct 30, 2025 12:07 PM
Joined Nov, 2023 1 post

Has anyone else gotten this error?  I adjusted the additional percentage in the channel integration for Airbnb, but there is a sync error about the pet fee. On the Airbnb side, the Pet fee is lower than what this says, so I'm really confused. I try to adjust the pet fee up and down, but it seems to have no effect on this error.

 

Report for average booking - Weekend vs weekday ? 2 replies

BirdSongAZ
Oct 30, 2025 10:56 AM
Joined May, 2020 4 posts

Oh good idea!! Thanks for the help.