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"You'll also be able to drop the extra Airbnb channel on PriceLabs and just keep the OwnerRez connection because we will be pushing the rates to Airbnb at that point."

Meaning that PriceLabs just updates on OR and you do all the price pushing, I assume?

BDC has a complex multi step process for activating properties where you request, we approve, and then you confirm. If we start pushing rates before you confirm it causes all sorts of errors.

Because of that we don't automatically turn on or let you turn the channel -- you have to contact us to turn it on.

We sent you an email/support ticket about this yesterday -- once everything's set up, respond back on that and we'll enable the sync.

For the Airbnb calendars, use our calendar sync to keep everything updated automatically: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/calendar-sync

Once you have some bookings, you'd run channel bridge to import the bookings and it'll help you map the property id's at that point: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/channel-bridge

PriceLabs has it's own separate support for pushing rates to Airbnb -- you'll have PriceLabs connected to both Airbnb and OwnerRez.

When we release the official Airbnb API support in September, you'll turn off the old channel and create a new channel of that type -- it won't be an automatic switchover that would overwrite things in Airbnb. At that point you'll have the option of updating everything including listing content from OwnerRez (like HomeAway) or just rates and availability (like BDC). You'll also be able to drop the extra Airbnb channel on PriceLabs and just keep the OwnerRez connection because we will be pushing the rates to Airbnb at that point.

Discounts combine with any spot rates you set. PriceLabs (and other pricing tools which we do not yet support) operate by setting spot rates in OwnerRez. Spot rates are nightly rates that override seasonal rates, but they do not override surcharges and discounts.

For example, say you've got a discount that kicks in for last minute bookings of 30% off if arrival is < 10 days away. That discount is going to apply to the spot rates. So if PriceLabs is including a last minute discount in the rates they push to OwnerRez, you don't also want a rules based discount in OwnerRez because you'll be double discounting.

In this PL setup URL: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/pricelabs

You say: "WARNING: discounts are still applied with spot rates. If you use a pricing tool to set spot rates, make sure to remove any last minute discounts etc. so you don't double discount."

"pricing tool" - you mean PriceLabs or something else??

discounts applied with spot rates - like on a listing site or OR?

not sure what exactly this sentence means.

OK, I put my properties on AirBnB (was definitely easier than BDC).

I believe you said AirBnB integration is targeted for September. ("Will I see you, in September...")

Can you tell me precisely what I should do now to get the AirBnB properties (IDs) to be recognized by OwnerRez? (So I dont double book and can use PriceLabs?). I am assuming Channel Bridge will be part of the answer - I have not used it yet.

And then what I should do differently once integration happens? Will it overwrite my work in ABB? Will there be a hiccup that could cause issues, etc?

On this site https://app.ownerrez.com/settings/channels

My Booking.com is showing Pending activation

Yet when I drill down (Pencil icon), the status of the properties is showing enabled

So, what do this apparent contradiction mean?

For automatic replies, what are you trying to do exactly?

For inquiries, you can set up an autoresponder in OwnerRez but that's limited because VRBO doesn't allow you to send quotes or links through email before a booking anymore.

For bookings, you can do triggers on booking created for a "thanks for booking". But be careful with those because guests can get confused if they just also got one from VRBO.

Or are you talking about something like a 7 days before arrival welcome letter? Here's an article on that: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/pre-arrival-email-templates-triggers-custom-fields. Booking created triggers will be similar to that but on the booking created event.

We support both iPhone and Android as long as it's got a browser version within the past year or two. Any phone will work, bigger screens are better. We do responsive UI so it will adapt to smaller screens but the bigger ones can see more at once so it's worth getting something at least medium sized.

I am looking for an article that explains automatic replies.

I am looking to generate automatic replies, especially for VRBO reservations or inquiries.

Also, I am looking to get a phone to give to my service guy that will allow him to be able log in with. Does that need to be an iPhone or Android? Does it matter? Looking for recommendations on what type of phone would provide the best mobile experience. He does not he a computer or email (yet). What is the best phone for him to basically see the calendar ribbon view that I give him permission for.

they can also share the link among family members in case they want to split the payments among them.

Yes. They can switch card if they want to.

Wait... the link they use to pay the balance is the same link that they'd use to switch their credit card info?

Thank you!! So far, it appears that when I go in and make changes, then hit SAVE, and then hit PREVIEW, the changes are sticking!

Thanks again Chris! :o)

Monica

Sometimes when you paste things in to the email editor, a bunch of junk formatting comes along. We could restrict this by limiting down to only a couple of formatting options, but right now it's a pretty open editor because we want to give you full control.

To fix this, there are a couple of things you can do:

1) Use the Clear Formatting button to get rid of all of the formatting and then color only the parts you need:

2) When pasting, hit Ctrl+Shift+V which will paste text only, unformatted

I went ahead and cleaned out the extra formatting on that email template. Are you able to modify the paragraphs now?

Yes, OwnerRez will factor in the tax as you import bookings via channel bridge. First of all, configure any taxes remitted by a listing site as "everything but" on the listing site criteria. So for the 3% Airbnb remits you'd set listing site criteria to Everything but Airbnb. That way it won't be handled as a guest charge.

Then you have to decide how you're going to collect the other 6% (and make sure Airbnb's not remitting it). You can either do a resolution request like @BlueMtnCabins is doing, or you can build it into your rates (what I do). Pros to @BlueMtn's method are your rates look more competitive on a search. Pros to building it into rates are that it's simpler and you don't have to do resolution requests for every damn booking. Once you pick a method, go into the channel settings and set the tax to be either added or included in rate. Then when you channel bridge, it'll calculate the correct tax amount.

I have heard of some folks just sending a payment link instead of a resolution request, but I'm not sure on the Airbnb policy on that -- their policies seem to change every day depending on who you talk to.

The design actually uses a 3:2 aspect ratio and will automatically crop the images so you don't have to worry about cropping them all unless you want to control the exact crop rectangle.

Now, this is fine for the small images and thumbnails but it's a known issue for the lightbox popup -- that should just use the original. We are working on an update that will be able to use the original aspect ratio, but resized, on those drillin photo slidshows. That will be out later this month.

Yep. I have an auto triggered email that is sent 7 days before balance payment is due. It has payment link and also verbiage that if guests wants to use another card, they can use link and enter it. Else, their balance will be automatically charged on X date to the card on file. AUTOMATE!!

In our case, we have 9.75% state and county sales that AirBNB DOES collect, and 3% county lodging that Airbnb DOES NOT collect. What I do, is after guest paid to Airbnb, I crate a "resolution request" on Airbnb for the 3% tax amount. Airbnb does not apply CC fee or service fee to it, but it is a manual process. I think trying to collect tax outside of Airbnb (i.e via billing via Ownerrez) may get you suspended if some guest reports you to Airbnb as it is against Airbnb rules.

Who directed seems to recommend an aspect of 4:3 for pictures. It seems to be a hard ratio to get on camera apps, Etc. Would prefer not to crop 20 pictures * 7 units. Thoughts?
Why was this chosen?

I have created a comprehensive "things to do in Hayesville" custom email template which has rich text formatting as well as some outbound links to local restaurants, shops, etc.

I notice that no matter what I do under the "edit" function, when I save it, there is one section where I can't get it to create a new paragraph. It looks really strange, (and oddly it only shows up this way in the actual PREVIEW, but not while editing), but I can't figure out how to fix it. Ideas welcome!

Thanks!
Monica

Listing sites are required in PA (including my county) to collect the hotel taxes. We have total 9% tax (6% sales and the 3% hotel tax).

So, Airbnb does the 3%. I THINK they do not collect the sales tax, but their website makes it a maze to find clear answers. And of course BDC, FK, VRBO...

So does my Ownerrez collect the 6% sales tax part I need to collect when managing each channel? I know I would need to remit, this is just a collection question.

Thanks for explaining. Out of curiosity, what kind of documents would one upload that contained links? I'm open to ideas to make my guest experience better!

Thanks!
Monica

Some listing sites recommend only using their communication channel, to discourage guests from trying to cancel and direct book with owner to cut out listing site commission. Accepting such an arrangement risks owner getting delisted.

Also, having everything recorded on their communication channel helps prevent guests who things like threatening a bad review if not getting a discount or refund and other things. This is discussed a lot on other forums i follow.

If I wanted to screen guests, and have a B7B owner type long chats, I wouldn't be doing the instant book route. But someone calling me 6 times because he ignored my constant requests to use the communication channel is annoying.

Thanks. I figured it might impact, just wanted to know.

THANK YOU!! I thought I was going to have to change it manually, but that link makes it really easy!

Monica

Yep, if you're changing the renter agreement you can do that at any time.

I think @JTVRs is referring to uploaded documents with links embedded in the email. For those, the files are heavily cached so there's no way to update an existing link. You need to upload a new file and change the links in your email templates etc to point to that new file version.

Yep! Go to the Transactions tab of the booking and hit the Request button to get a dropdown of financial things you can request from the guest.

Send him the Request New Credit Card form and he'll be able to enter new card info and update scheduled payments and secdeps to use the new card

I have a guest who is doing a two-pay for his upcoming stay. His second payment is due tomorrow (Monday 7/8/19) and the system sent him the automated reminder that his card will be automatically charged. The issue is that he is trying to close that credit card account, and he'd like to use a different card in the automated transaction.

Is there a way that I can send him a link so HE can change the card information so I don't ever see his credit card number?

Thanks!
Monica

I believe you go into the document and choose "edit" and that changes the document contents but not the URL. I update my rental agreement now and again and the link always stays the same.

I hope I've answered the question you asked.

Monica

especially after they booked.