Tripadvisor is one of the largest and most popular channels that can be connected to your property platform. Mapping to Tripadvisor is different to most other channels because Tripadvisor doesn’t have an extranet. Therefore, the majority of the setup has to be done within your property platform.
Map to Tripadvisor
You can begin mapping Tripadvisor by following these steps:
Go to the Distribution tab > Channels.
Locate the Tripadvisor Plus / Instant Booking channel and click on the ellipsis button (...) next to it.
On the Channel actions menu, select Configure rooms/rates mapping.
You will see each of your room rates listed. For the room rate that you want to map, click on the Map to Tripadvisor Plus / Instant Booking button.
A window with a form will pop up. See section Tripadvisor mapping form fields for an explanation of fields in this form.
After you fill in the form and click on Save, a room rate will be created on Tripadvisor and will be mapped to this room rate on your property platform’s channel manager.
Fields in the Tripadvisor mapping form
The Map to Tripadvisor Plus / Instant Booking form is a bit more complex than other mapping forms. This is because most other mapping forms simply map to a room rate that you have already created on a channel’s extranet. Tripadvisor, however, doesn’t have an extranet, so this mapping form has the dual purpose of firstly creating a room rate on Tripadvisor and then mapping to it.
We will describe each of these fields and provide examples based on mapping a room rate called "double room - bed and breakfast".
⚠️ Many of these fields will be visible to guests on the Tripadvisor platform. Make sure you use names and descriptions that customers can clearly understand instead of internal naming conventions.
Room rate settings
Mapped room rate on Tripadvisor: the name of the room rate to be advertised on Tripadvisor. Normally, you should use the same name as the room rate you are mapping this to (e.g., "double room - bed and breakfast").
Start updating channel: option to start sending updates to the channel.
⚠️ If Start updating channel is set to No, the connection will not be able to start.
Room type settings
Room code: a unique code that will identify this room (e.g., "DR").
Room name: the name of the room (e.g., "double room").
Room URL: the web address of the room on your property’s website (e.g., "https://www.property.com/double-room").
Room description: a brief description of the room.
Rate plan settings
Rate code: a unique code that will identify this rate (e.g., "BB")
Rate name: the name of the rate (e.g., "bed and breakfast")
Rate description: a brief description of the rate.
Occupancy details
Included occupancy: the number of people that this room normally accommodates (e.g., for the double room, this would be "2").
Max occupancy: the maximum number of people that can be accommodated (e.g. some double rooms have space enough to fit an extra bed upon request, so they could have a maximum occupancy of "3").
Max adults: out of the total occupants, the maximum that can be adults.
Max children: out of the total occupants, the maximum that can be children. Therefore, the rest must be adults.
Release period: the number of days in advance that reservations must be made. If left blank, no release period will be set.
Extras/Discounts
These settings determine the cost when additional occupants are added to a room.
Extra adult rate: each additional adult will cost this much.
Extra child rate: each additional child will cost this much.
Deposit details
These settings determine if a guest will need to make a deposit of a certain amount when booking.
Deposit type: select from the following options:
None: no deposit is required.
Partial: a deposit of a percentage of your booking total is required at the time of booking. If selected, you will need to specify the Deposit percentage.
Full: a full upfront payment of the booking total is required at the time of booking.
Cancellation policy
These settings let you configure your policy in case a guest decides to cancel their booking.
Refund available: select from the following options:
None: guests are not refunded any of the cost of their booking.
Partial: guests are refunded part of the cost of their booking.
Full: guests are refunded the full cost of their booking.
Cancellation policy: a brief description of the cancellation policy.
Depending on the Refund available option selected, these fields may appear:
Cancellation period (only for Full): the minimum number of days before arrival that the guest has to cancel their booking if they are to receive a full refund.
Cancellation fees 1 (only for Partial and Full):
Amount: this field has a different meaning depending on the Refund available option selected:
If Partial: this is the fee charged to a guest when cancelling (this value is required.)
If Full: this is the fee charged to a guest when they cancel closer to their check-in date than the Cancellation period (this value is optional).
Amount type: select whether your Amount to be charged is a:
Fixed amount: a flat fee.
Percentage: a percentage fee.
Number of nights: the cost of a number of nights booked (e.g., "2", which at $100 per night would give a total amount of $200).
Cancellation Fees 2 (only for Partial and Full):
Amount: an additional cancellation fee for guests that cancel even closer to arrival.
Amount type: same as above.
Days before arrival: the minimum number of days before arrival that the guest has to cancel their booking, otherwise they will be charged this fee.