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Connect a new channel

Connect a new channel, enable a channel, or update a channel’s settings.

💡 To connect, disconnect, or manage a channel, go to Distribution > Channels. Navigate to the All Channels tab to view the list of available channels.

Before connecting

Before connecting a channel in your platform:

  • Create an account with the channel: You need a signed a contract with the channel and your account must be active

  • Enable the connection: Log in to the channel's extranet > go to their connectivity or channel manager settings > request connection to “SiteMinder” or “SiteMinder RDX” as your connectivity provider

  • Create your property listing (rooms and rates) on the channel. Set up your rooms, rates, policies, property information, etc, in the channel’s extranet before connecting. Note: This does not apply to channels that support content creation, such as Airbnb or Booking.com Enhanced sync.

  • Have your channel details ready: You need your unique Property code that the channel has assigned to your property (also called hotel ID, hotel code, or host ID) and any other account details for the channel’s extranet. For some channels, you will also need your username and password.

Note:

  • Is the channel asking you for an API key? You do not need an API key - you will need your property codes or hotel ID to connect, not API keys

  • Is the hotel code already in use? If you see a "Hotel code already in use" error, it means another property is using that code

How to connect a new channel in your platform

To connect a new channel:

  1. Go to Distribution > Channels.

  2. Click on the All channels tab. Here you will see a list of all the available channels you can connect to.

  3. Find and click on the channel you want to connect to.

  4. Follow the steps to connect.

  5. Review the details about what inventory data can and can’t be sent to the channel (Data supported by this channel and Data not supported by this channel).

  6. Click Connect.

Once following the steps above to connect the channel, the channel will display in the list under Distribution > Channels > My channels.

Activation status:

  • Most channels including Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and Hotelbeds, are activated immediately after connecting and are ready to map. You will still need to enable the channel when you're ready to start sending inventory

  • Other channels may show a status of Awaiting setup after connecting, in which case it takes up to 24 hours to activate, and you will receive an e-mail notification when the channel is ready to map

What if certain inventory data is not supported by the channel?

If the channel does not support certain inventory data, you will need to set up and manage these inventory updates directly in the channel’s extranet. For example, if the channel does not support receiving Minimum stay, you will need to set up your Minimum stay restrictions on the channel’s extranet directly.

Channel missing from the "All channels" list?

Check the list of available channels we support here.

  • If the channel is not supported yet, please contact the channel directly

  • If the channel is supported but you cannot see it in the list, please contact our support team to investigate.

After connecting a channel

💡 Verify in the channel's extranet that your SiteMinder connection is active and your hotel ID (property code) is correct.

Once you have connected a new channel, complete the setup:

  • Update channel settings: Review and update channel settings such as a Rate multiplier, Currency conversion, and Reservation E-mail Address

  • Map your room rates to the channel: Remember to create corresponding room rates on the channel's extranet first (if applicable, depending on the channel)

  • Review inventory on the channel: Ensure inventory and rooms and rates are set up correctly and match the configuration in your platform

  • Enable the channel: Enable the channel to start sending inventory updates.

  • Test the connection: Check that inventory appears correctly on the channel

Update channel settings

To update channel settings:

  1. Go to Distribution > Channels tab.

  2. In the My channels tab, find the channel.

  3. Click on the ellipsis button (...) next to the channel’s name and select Update channel settings.

  4. In the Channel settings tab, click on the edit button to modify the settings.

  5. Make the changes and click Save.

Enable a channel

Enable a channel once you have mapped all required room rates to the channel and checked that availability, rates, and restrictions are correct. Enable a channel to start sending inventory updates to the channel.

To enable a channel:

  1. Go to Distribution > Channels.

  2. Find the channel.

  3. Click the ellipsis button (three dots) next to the channel.

  4. Select Update channel settings.

  5. Click the Enable the connection to [channel name] button.

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