Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you meet the following requirements:
Have an active contract or account with the portal you want to connect to, except for Booking.com and VRBO, where you can create a new account from Channel Pro.
Be clear on whether the connection you need for Airbnb and Booking.com is partial or full.
Have your payment management clearly defined and configured before the connection.
Bear in mind that when connecting a Channel Manager, some portals may apply changes to their commission structure.
OTA overview
OTA | What you need to have ready |
General | Active account, clear connection type, payments set up, commissions reviewed |
Airbnb | Access to the main host account, email address and password, access to the email inbox for the verification code |
Booking.com | Avantio added as Connectivity Provider, permissions enabled, multi-unit review, payments and contacts checked |
Vrbo | Properties and bookings created in Avantio if you already have an active account with listings and bookings |
Expedia | API partner form and full tax/commercial details |
Homes & Villas by Marriott | HMCID code and prior notice to Marriott if there is a PMS change |
Google Vacation Rentals | Website or web integration ready |
Step-by-step procedure
Step 1: Review the general requirements for any OTA
Check that you have an active account or contract with the relevant portal.
Verify whether the portal allows you to create a new account from Channel Pro (VRBO and Booking.com).
Confirm which type of connection you want to set up for Airbnb and Booking.com:
Partial
Full
Make sure your payment configuration is clear before starting the connection.
Keep in mind that some portals may apply commission changes when connecting through a Channel Manager.
IMPORTANT: Before the connection, always review how payments and commissions will be configured in the portal.
Step 2: Review Airbnb-specific requirements
If you work with multiple accounts, have the login details for each Airbnb account ready:
email address
password
Keep in mind that we only connect to the main host account.
Make sure you have access to the linked email address, as Airbnb may request a verification code during the connection.
IMPORTANT: The Airbnb connection is made only through the main host account. If you are linking existing listings, the account connected must be the one where the listings were originally created.
Step 3: Review Booking.com-specific requirements if you already have an active account with created listings
Add Avantio as the Connectivity Provider for all the properties you want to connect.
Do this at least 6 hours before the connection call.
Keep all permissions enabled in the Booking.com extranet.
If you work with multi-unit properties, ask Booking.com to change the titles of each room linked to the Hotel ID.
If the properties are new and have been created in Avantio:
If you use Payments by Booking, make sure payments are configured in the Booking.com extranet.
Review the contacts configured in Channel Pro, as if they are not configured, the property will be linked by default to the default company name.
IMPORTANT: Avantio must be added as the Connectivity Provider at least 6 hours before the connection and with all permissions enabled.
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Step 4: Review Vrbo-specific requirements if you already have an active account with created listings
Check whether you already have an active VRBO account with:
active listings
existing bookings with a future check-out
bookings with a check-out completed within the last 60 days
If you are going to connect that same account in Avantio, make sure you have already created in Avantio:
the properties
the bookings
This will allow the mapping to be completed during the connection.
TIP: If there is already activity on the Vrbo account, having the properties and bookings created in Avantio will make the connection much easier.
Step 5: Review Expedia-specific requirements
Complete and send the API partner form.
Contact Avantio and provide the following information:
Property Manager code provided by Expedia
Business model: Expedia Collect, Hotel Collect or both (Expedia Traveller Experience)
VAT percentage applicable to bookings
Cancellation policy applicable to the properties
Package rates: Yes or No
IMPORTANT: Without this information, Expedia setup cannot move forward. Related article.
Step 6: Review Homes & Villas by Marriott-specific requirements
Make sure you have an HMCID code.
If this is a PMS change, you must contact Marriott to inform them of the connection date with Avantio.
REMEMBER: For PMS changes, Marriott must be informed of the exact connection date.
Step 7: Review Google Vacation Rentals-specific requirements
Check that the website or the web integration with Avantio is ready before starting the connection.
IMPORTANT: The connection with Google Vacation Rentals requires the website side to be ready in advance.
FAQ
Can I connect an OTA without having an active account with the portal?
In general, no. You must have an active account or contract with the portal, except for Booking.com and VRBO, where in some cases you can create a new account from Channel Pro.
What do I need to define before connecting Airbnb or Booking.com?
You need to be clear on whether you need a partial or full connection, as this affects both the setup and the scope of the synchronisation.
What happens if I do not configure the contacts in Booking.com from Channel Pro?
The property will be linked by default to the default company name.
Why is it important to review payments before connecting?
Because payment management must be properly defined from the start to avoid issues later on with charges, deposits or the portal’s payment methods.
What happens if I already have active listings and bookings in Vrbo?
You must have already created those properties and bookings in Avantio so they can be mapped correctly during the connection.