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I tried updating the channel bridge per the instructions, but Chrome didn't update it to the new version. So I guess this fix is still a work in progress.

Thanks,

Sallie

Due to a recent unannounced change by Vrbo, the Channel Bridge version in common use is no longer functional.  Our engineers are working on a resolution, and have released an updated version that partially mitigates the problem.

You can find more information, and overall OwnerRez system status, at our status page here:

https://status.ownerrez.com/ 

Specifics on this issue:

https://status.ownerrez.com/notices/aioglwmhp3cnjxvs-vrbo-channel-bridge-booking-download-error 

Hello,

I am a brand new user of OwnerRez.  Per the title, when attempting to import my listings (2 total) from VRBO, I am getting an error message.  In particular, the message says "Please correct the errors below: The server returned an error resposne (429 429)". This occurs on both of my listings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Note that, by design, it is not possible for just any old person, visiting your website or in any other way, to write a review.  All reviews must be linked to a specific booking.  That's true whether they're imported from a listing channel, via our Excel import templates, or entered directly by a guest via a link provided as discussed above.

.

You can send them a link manually (or set up a trigger and email with link post-stay) 

 Manual : Bookings > Booking > Reviews > Request From Guest

I've got the widget enable so if there were any reviews, they would be there. But how does someone leave a review on my site? I don't see a way for them to add a new one. 

Thanks!

So, we should take your original template with the rental agreement paste into a channel template with the {BUFIXUP} link.

Yes.

  With that, they will get the request for contact info and the rental agreement.

  Then, we need to delete (make inactive) our original rental agreement template, correct?

No, you'll want to keep the original one active, for systems like Vrbo and Booking.com where you do get their real email addresses upon booking.

You would make the trigger for the rental agreement template attributed to "Everything but Airbnb" so it still sends to direct bookings, Vrbo bookings, etc. Yet that template still sends via the channel message to Airbnb guests.

So, we should take your original template with the rental agreement paste into a channel template with the {BUFIXUP} link.  With that, they will get the request for contact info and the rental agreement.  Then, we need to delete (make inactive) our original rental agreement template, correct?

That’s good news the are by far the hardest channel partner to integrate with in OwnerRez…..

Ken there are a lot of examples that we have not corrected on our account from prior  to our delisting with them... search for Address

3010 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy
Dallas, TX 75234-7770

or Phone: +1 (469) 675-9003

That is the GETAROOM address/phone provided for every booking through BDC with them as a partner of BDC.   In virtually all of these cases we waited until the guest showed up at the property and called us   They never receive any email messages for text messages because the email is a BDC email and the guest has no clue what this is and never receives anything forwarded to their email... and the phone number for text messages just cost us $$ for sending texts to a phone that sends them nowhere.

Many of them you will find on our account have had corrections to the phone and will have an updated email because when the guest shows up and calls us we correct the information.   We use electronic door locks so we no longer allow 9003 as a door lock code because all of these bookings were getting the same door lock code which created a security risk.  Since we had no way to contact the guest we had to wait for them to call us to get a new phone number to create a door code that would allow them into the property.

I would like to add to what Adria said above.  We are actively working on a vastly improved API connection with Booking.com, which will indeed assist greatly with many, though not all, of the issues mentioned above.  At the same time, we are in discussions with Booking.com as to what changes can be made at their end to make the entire connection smoother and more suitable for vacation rental owners.  We don't have an ETA or specific knowledge of precisely where that will lead, but, this is a very significant change and I have high hopes for the near and medium term.  So, I would encourage you to have patience if possible and not give up on Booking.com - help is on the way.

If you have specific issues and/or problems with an existing connection to Booking.com, please write in to our Helpdesk, and we will provide assistance.  While this may not always be fast or entirely successful at first, the examples and knowledge of problems of this sort will be helpful as we work with Booking.com staff to improve overall.

Just to spread some hope here - we are actively working with Booking.com to develop a vastly improved method of connecting and configuring your account, which we believe will resolve many of these concerns.  No specific details or ETA yet, but we anticipate you'll start seeing the first round of improvements in the near future, with many more to come.

We have all but stopped using BDC because of all of the issues we have with their partner websites (GetARoom, Agoda and others) not sending information along to the guests.  Guests show up with no clue of where they are going, no arrival instructions, no door codes, no way to contact them... We went from 10s of thousands of dollars in bookings per year to just a few thousand...our direct rep with BDC basically said there is nothing that can be done.  Fortunately the bookings have been picked up by other channels at a lesser commission rate

You'll want to set this up for mutual blocking. I have a property that is 5 acres and has 3 units on it. I have them set up as "rooms" on BDC. But in OR, its all controlled by mutual blocking. Here's how to set it up in OR: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/combined-properties-blockoff-lockoff

Booking.com (BDC) does have one payment option requiring the host to collect "at arrival." This is based on a hotel model and does not work for the majority of short-term rentals. It is even possible to have some listings receive credit card details whilst others require payment at arrival in the same account.

This is a BDC determination and not related to API.

As far as I know, Booking.com (BDC) has not eliminated the ability to obtain the guest's "real" email address once the booking is created.

If Booking.com (BDC) puts you on payments by Booking, where they collect and pay you at arrival, you should still be able to request a credit card from your guest for security deposit reasons. With that card on file, you can (with the guest's OK) run the payment for add on services.

OwnerRez is working, now, with Booking.com (BDC) to create a more robust API. It's my understanding that the messaging will be released first and listing content sync later:

1. I have to create a convoluted 95% listing in BDC anyway. They import pics from Airbnb! When I asked why there was no answer but a complained that the pics from Airbnb were low resolution! So why import from Airbnb in the first place
True & frustrating! This is controlled by BDC, not OwnerRez. You'll want to upload high resolution directly to GDC and mark/label them to a room/amenity. This only needs to be done once.

2. They do not want us to have credit cards and prefer to take payment themselves but have no real viable solution when we need to add in extra costs like pool heat, extra clean.
Whether or not a property (not just your account, but approval can be property by property) is eligible for credit card details depends on BDC's computer evaluation. You should be able to require a Security Deposit Hold, bringing in the credit card info for your records.

To add post-booking extra costs, like pool heat, you'd need to go into the OwnerRez booking > Charges > Convert to manual charges > edit to add your new charge before tax (make sure the taxes are applied) & save. If you have the guest's credit card for the security deposit, communicate with the guest and get their OK to run that payment.  

It's a good idea to add a mention of the security deposit and extra charges in your Property > Your Profile > Descriptions on Booking.com Extranet.

3. Rates have to be uploaded on BDC, not vis OwnerRez
For API connected properties, the rates sync. However, they only sync to one pricing model. When you begin adding all the extra plans BDC suggests, it does get messy & complicated.

5. Dud bookings coming thru blocking my dates, but no credit card holds or payment taken by BDC
This seems to be a common complaint for US based guests. This is not something that can be controlled, with or without OwnerRez. You can reduce the number of cancellations by setting your Property > Policies > Cancellation Policy to 60 days & the same for Property > Policies > Advanced Cancellation > Cancellation exceptions > 8 weeks. If you reduce your booking window to 90 days, most cancellations can be prevented.
 

OwnerRez should not be promoting BDC as a channel until there is a full API integration
There will be a full API integration released in 2024, however, BDC will still have some of the same issues.

Yes, all of us would be experiencing these same issues. BDC is going the way of Airbnb in not allowing us to directly interact with guests except for their platform. This is a huge problem as we cannot send rental agreements, or deposit requests, or charge for extras such as pool heat

I was told by my rep that payment is sent on day of guest arrival. But this conflicts with OwnerRez saying we need to request payment!!! 

BDC is actively discouraging property managers from taking guest credit cards. They want us to use their payment systems, similar to Airbnb. BUT, they have no viable way of allowing us to take extra payments for pool heat, mid stay clean, etc. Very disappointed with booking.com

I am on the point of dropping BDC until OwnerRez has a full API connection. This limited connection does nothing for me personally:

1. I have to create a convoluted 95% listing in BDC anyway. They import pics from Airbnb! When I asked why there was no answer but a complained that the pics from Airbnb were low resolution! So why import from Airbnb in the first place

2. They do not want us to have credit cards and prefer to take payment themselves but have no real viable solution when we need to add in extra costs like pool heat, extra clean.

3. Rates have to be uploaded on BDC, not vis OwnerRez

4. My rep was not helpful, just apologetic.

5. Dud bookings coming thru blocking my dates, but no credit card holds or payment taken by BDC

6. They are already charging me commission for dud reservations which I then have to spend time disputing

7. Instead of a seamless time saving channel, BDC has turned into a nightmare.

I could go on, but I'll stop here. OwnerRez should not be promoting BDC as a channel until there is a full API integration

Nader:

You can request a new card:

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/payment-processing-overview#request

If you go into a booking's Transactions tab, and click "Request", and then "Request New Credit Card", you should see a prompt where you can click "Compose Email:
​

When you click "Compose Email", and send it to the guest, the guest should see a link they can click on within the email, to update these details.

When the guest clicks on that blue link within the email, they should see a form (where at the bottom, they can choose what the new card should be used for).

​​
Then, once the guest has submitted the new payment info, you'll want to check the Transactions tab, to make sure the next scheduled payment (and any potential security deposit) will both be paid by the new card.

In the specific case you mentioned, where the security deposit is already set up, you would verify that the guest had properly attributed the new card to the security deposit and the change had occurred.

Can a guest fill this out and provide a new credit card after the security deposit had been processed but prior to check in? 

Annie-
Another approach from a different angle. If you import the Vrbo monthly CSV report, that should create expenses for the right bookings and properties, automatically.

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/vrbo-commission-file-imports

After a little checking, for future readers, it appears you are on the Vrbo professional plan:

Get ready for our professional plan

We’re now moving forwards with making our professional plan the single option for property managers across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. With our professional plan, you’ll pay a commission on each booking while your guests will no longer pay a Vrbo traveller service fee.

Annie- we are not familiar with the 13.5% Stayz/Vrbo fee, if you have anything outlining that info can you email it to help@ownerrez.com?

Hi Annie:
As far as I know, Vrbo bills one monthly automatic payment per Vrbo login. If all the properties are on one Vrbo account, you are going to see one charge.  However, you can certainly pay the credit card bill appropriate share from each property's account & bill the owners. Vrbo sends a downloadable spreadsheet file and includes the property name, you can also edit that spreadsheet to address each owner's bookings.