If you've connected to a channel but haven't received any bookings, check:
Channel connection and mapping that may be preventing your rates and availability from reaching the channel
Any restrictions unintentionally blocking availability
Pricing competitiveness
Content and photos optimised to attract guests
Is your property listing active and visible on the channel?
Search for your property directly on the channel's website to confirm it's visible and showing availability.
If your property isn't visible on the channel and the checks above don't explain why, contact the channel directly to ask why your property isn't appearing in search results
Check the channel connection
To check the channel connection, confirm your channel is set up and enabled.
Go to Distribution > Channels > Channel settings and confirm the channel shows as enabled, not disabled. If disabled, click Enable the connection to [channel name]
Check the property code is correct in channel settings. If it needs updating, contact our support team for assistance
Check mapping and setup
Confirm your room rates are mapped to the channel:
Go to Distribution > Channels.
Click the ellipsis button (three dots button) next to the channel name.
Select Edit room rates mapping.
Check Rates Mapped: X of Y. If X is less than Y, some channel rates are unmapped.
Use the Mapping status toggle to select Unmapped to see all unmapped rates (rates available in SiteMinder, but not mapped to the channel).
Check if channel rates are missing from the Unmapped list: To identify these, click Configure on an existing mapped rate in the right column. The dropdown will show all the rates that exist on the channel.
Confirm there are no disabled rates:
Go to Distribution > Channels.
Click the ellipsis button (three dots button) next to the channel name.
Select Edit room rates mapping.
Check for any red warning icons on channel rates (disabled rates).
To see all disabled rates, click More filters > under Rate update status, select Disabled.
Read the error message that explains the conflict.
Fix the error.
Set Start updating channel to Yes.
Click Save.
Check inventory data is supported:
Click Configure on a mapped channel rate and review Data supported by this channel rate. Restrictions, rates, or availability listed under Data not supported by this channel rate cannot be sent to the channel and must be managed directly in the channel's extranet.
Check for restrictions blocking your availability
Restrictions can prevent bookings even when a room type has availability. Check whether any of the following are set for the room rate:
Stop sell: closes availability for specific dates, preventing any new bookings for those dates
Release period: sets the minimum number of days in advance a guest must book. If your release period is set too high, guests looking to book at short notice will not be able to book
Minimum length of stay (MinLOS) and maximum length of stay (MaxLOS): set the minimum or maximum number of nights a guest can book. If these are set too restrictively, guests with different length-of-stay needs cannot book
CTA/CTD: closed to arrivals or departures on certain dates
Note: Not all channels or channel rates support receiving restrictions from your platform. Check under Data supported by this channel rate in the channel rate configuration. If data is not supported, the restrictions need to be managed directly via the channel extranet. Check any restrictions that may be set up directly with the channel.
Check your yield rules
Yield rules can automatically apply a stop sell without you setting one manually, which can restrict availability without you realising it. Automatic closure yield rules stop selling a room type or room rate when remaining availability drops to a set threshold. Selling limit yield rules stop selling a rate plan once it has been sold a set number of times. Availability limit yield rules cap how many rooms are available to sell on a channel at once.
To check for active yield rules: Go to Distribution > Yield rules and review any active rules.
Make sure your pricing is competitive
If your rates are higher than the market, guests are less likely to book your property over a competitor's.
If your rates are consistently showing higher than your competitors' or inconsistent across channels, review and adjust your pricing.
Optimise your property content and photos
If your property content and photos are incomplete or low quality, guests are less likely to book even when your listing is available and bookable. Guests are more likely to book a property with clear, detailed content and high-quality images.
Photos:
Upload high-quality images for each room type. Include images that showcase the room's best features, size, views, and amenities
For most channels (OTAs), images must be uploaded and managed directly on the channel’s extranet, not in SiteMinder (exception: Booking.com and Airbnb with enhanced sync enabled)
Content:
Add all room amenities and features, focusing on unique selling points such as views or special amenities. Detail all property facilities and services, including parking and transportation information
For most channels (OTAs), content must be set up and managed directly on the channel’s extranet, not in SiteMinder (exception: Booking.com and Airbnb with enhanced sync enabled)