What is Channels Plus?
Channels Plus is one connection that allows you to easily set up, manage and connect to multiple high-value channels in a few clicks. Reach a wider range of travellers, without the additional admin effort of managing multiple channels.
Save time by managing all your inventory (rates, availability and restrictions) for multiple channels from one place in your SiteMinder platform.
There are no lock-in contracts. You can adjust your inventory and channels to suit your property. You will only pay SitMinder commission for completed stays. No need to pay multiple invoices to each channel separately.
How is Channels Plus different from the Channel Manager?
If you are connecting to a channel via Channel Manager, you would first need to create an account directly with the channel and then set up your rooms and rates in both your SiteMinder platform and in the channel’s extranet. You would then need to map the matching room rates together. In addition, most channels require you to set up your content and media on the channel directly.
With Channels Plus, you need only configure your rooms and rates in SiteMinder, then select which room rates you want to make available. Toggle on or off a channel with one click. You don’t need an account with each channel, and you don’t need to log into each channel’s extranet directly. A listing will be automatically created on the channel from the details in your SiteMinder platform, saving you time and helping to streamline your property configuration on multiple channels.
What channels can I connect to on Channels Plus?
See which channels are available on Channels Plus here.
Once Channels Plus is activated, you will see the complete list of channels supported by Channels Plus in Distribution > Channels Plus > Channels tab.
How much does Channels Plus cost?
There is no setup fee. You will only pay commission on completed stays made through Channels Plus. SiteMinder handles the commission collection on behalf of the channel, so no need to pay multiple invoices to each channel separately.
The commission fee is based on the net reservation amount (the total reservation amount excluding taxes) and can vary from 15-17%, depending on the channel and your property’s location.
Note: Commission also applies to any cancellation fees you charge. You can check your commission rate when you sign up to Channels Plus, before you agree to the terms and conditions, and once activated, in the Performance tab.
How do I activate Channels Plus?
To activate Channels Plus, go to Distribution > Channels Plus. You must have Admin user permissions to get started with Channels Plus.
Once I connect to a channel on Channels Plus, how soon until my listing is live?
SiteMinder makes your data available to all channels with Channels Plus as soon as you are activated. Depending on the channel, the time it takes to publish your listing on the channel can vary: some listings go live within 24 hours, while others may take 1-2 days. The maximum time frame you can expect your property to be visible is 30 days.
If I make an update, when will changes appear on my listings?
Updates to your rooms and rates configuration (including inventory, prices, taxes, and fees) are sent instantly to your Channels Plus listings.
Content updates (including property details and photos) are updated periodically by the channel and so publishing times will vary.
Will I be automatically connected to new channels when they become available?
When you activate Channels Plus, you'll be automatically connected to all available channels. As we add new channels to Channels Plus, we'll connect your property to them automatically too. You have full control — you can enable or disable any channel at any time with a single click (Distribution > Channels Plus > Channels).
Can I connect to a channel directly as well as through Channels Plus?
You can connect to a channel via Channels Plus, even if you also have a direct agreement with the channel. The channel will deliver the reservation back to your platform through the relevant connection.
Note that if you are connected to a channel both ways, some channels may prevent your property listing from appearing twice in their search results. The channel might either block your Channels Plus property listing, or only show the listing with the best rates.
How do I set up derived rates for Channels Plus?
Set up derived rates for Channels Plus. Create a derived discount to put forward your most competitive rates and attract more guests.
Set up derived rates in either Rooms and Rates > Rate Plans or in Distribution > Channels Plus > Room Rates tab.
How do I set up taxes and fees for Channels Plus?
Set up taxes and fees for Channels Plus to ensure correct rates are sent to channels.
Go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Setup > Taxes and Fees.
Add any taxes as required by your local regulations.
Add any additional fees that guests need to know about (such as housekeeping fees).
To ensure the correct rates are sent to channels, specify whether your rates include taxes and fees by using the Rates are inclusive of taxes and fees listed below toggle.
Rates inclusive of taxes and fees
Turn on the toggle if your rates already include taxes and fees.
Example: If your rate is 100 and includes all taxes and fees, channels will show 100 as the total rate.
Rates exclusive of taxes and fees
Turn off the toggle if your rates don't include taxes and fees.
Example: If your rate is 100 and you have 10% tax, channels will show 110 as the total rate.
If your property is located in New Zealand, also review your property settings (Channels Plus > Setup > Property settings) to confirm whether you have opted in or out of marketplace rules for GST collection.
How do I take payments for reservations made via Channels Plus?
Once a Channels Plus reservation becomes non-refundable, you can process the payment using either the guest's payment card details or the virtual credit card (VCC) provided with the booking.
You must process the reservation payment within two days of the check-out date.
Access the payment card details in your SiteMinder platform via the Reservations page. Find the CVV/CVC number in a separate PDF that will be sent in an e-mail (this is kept separate for security reasons).
Note:
If you use SiteMinder Pay and a VCC has not been provided, you can choose to send your guest a payment request.
Channels Plus does not support scheduled Automated payments, Deposits, or card surcharges.
How will I be invoiced for Channels Plus?
SiteMinder handles the commission collection on behalf of the channel, so no need to pay multiple invoices to each channel separately.
Commission fees for Channels Plus will be gross or net invoiced, as determined by the channel:
Gross invoiced — booking fees (commission fees) will be invoiced each month directly from SiteMinder and can be paid via your preferred payment method in your Billing portal. If you have a Demand Plus account, your Channels Plus invoice will be combined on the same invoice using the same payment method.
Net invoiced — booking fees will be automatically paid to the channel at time of booking, and you will receive the net amount of the reservation on a virtual credit card.
Can I choose whether I see net or gross amounts for net invoiced reservations?
For net invoiced reservations, you can choose whether you would like to see the net amount only, or the gross amount (the price the room was sold for). The amount will show on the reservation’s details page in your platform, and will be sent to your connected property management system (PMS).
Go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Property settings > Show net pricing for net invoiced reservations. Select “yes” if you would only like to see the net amount (booking amount minus commission fee) for net invoiced reservations. Select “no” if you would like to see the gross amount (the amount the guest pays) for net invoiced reservations.
How can I tell if a reservation has been net invoiced?
If a Channels Plus reservation has been net invoiced, you will receive the payment on a virtual credit card (VCC).
You can check whether reservations are gross or net invoiced by going to Distribution > Channels Plus > Reconciliation tab > looking at the Invoicing method column (it will either be “Gross” or “Net - prepaid commission”).
Click on the more filters icon to sort the list by Gross or Net invoiced reservations, and sort by specific Channels Plus channels.
You can also check the booking fee status in your Billing Portal > Booking fees tab > select Channels Plus subscription from the Account drop-down menu:
Prepaid — these are Channels Plus net invoiced reservations. Booking fees have been paid at the time of reservation, directly to the channel.
Pending — booking fees have not yet been invoiced.
Invoiced — booking fees have been invoiced
What happens if a Channels Plus booking is cancelled?
If you have cancellations or no-shows for Channels Plus bookings, you'll need to reconcile them to avoid being charged commission. Here's what you need to know:
When to reconcile:
If a guest cancels their booking.
If booking is a no-show.
If you didn't collect the cancellation fee within the cancellation period.
Important: You must complete the reconciliation by the 7th of each month for the previous month's reservations. After this, no changes to the previous month’s reservations will be possible.
What happens if a Channels Plus booking is modified?
If a Channels Plus reservation is modified and the total reservation amount changes, you must submit a commission adjustment request before the 7th of each month to ensure commission is correctly calculated from the new total reservation amount (Distribution > Channels Plus > Reconciliation).
To check your adjustment request status:
Go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Reconciliation, or
Find the booking in the Reservations page and view the Commission adjustment section.
Important: Remember to reconcile bookings by the 7th of each month. After this date, you won't be able to make changes to the previous month's bookings.
What are special offers?
Special offers are deals and campaigns sent from Channels Plus channels that can help increase your bookings by ensuring your rates are competitive. Special offers give guests certain discounts for specific booking dates and stay dates, while giving you a reduced commission rate.
To view, review and approve special offers, go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Special offers tab.
Why don’t I see any special offers?
Special offers are generated and sent directly from Channels Plus channels. If you don't see any special offers in Distribution > Channels Plus > Special offers tab, this means no promotions have been created by your Channels Plus channels yet.
I connected to a channel on Channels Plus, but I am not receiving any reservations — why could that be?
If you have a channel connected in Channels Plus, but have not been receiving reservations:
Check that you are connected to the channel in Channels Plus > Channels tab.
Make sure you have activated room rates in Channels Plus > Room rates tab.
Make sure your room rates are competitive and you have optimised your property and room type details (including photos) to attract travellers.
If you have checked the above, other potential reasons could be because:
the channel does not have an active presence in your region;
your property type does not fit the channel’s requirements to be listed on the channel (for example, if you have connected to a channel that sells hostels only, but your property type is a hotel).
How can I track my property’s performance on Channels Plus?
To see a snapshot of your property’s performance results on Channels Plus for the past 12 months, including your total and net booking amount and the number of reservations you have received, go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Performance.
How can I optimise my property's performance on Channels Plus?
In Distribution > Channels Plus > Optimise tab, check if you have any room types with no active room rates. If you do, view insights showing how many reservations each room type generated over the last 30 days.
Access top tips to optimise your Channels Plus listing to drive more revenue in this guide.
Can I contact a channel directly?
If you need to contact a channel that you are connected to through Channels Plus, go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Channels tab where you will see a phone number and e-mail address for each channel.
How can I pause or unsubscribe from Channels Plus?
If you want to temporarily stop selling your property through Channels Plus, you can pause Channels Plus by deactivating all your room rates. When you are ready to start selling again, you can reactivate your room rates at any time.
If you do not wish to use Channels Plus in future, you can unsubscribe. Once you unsubscribe, your property will no longer be sold on Channels Plus and all setup information will be lost. If you decide to activate Channels Plus in the future, you will need to set up Channels Plus again.
To pause or unsubscribe from Channels Plus, go to Distribution > Channels Plus > Setup tab > click on Pause Channels Plus.
⚠️ Important: Before you unsubscribe, make sure you have reconciled all applicable reservations. All active and pending reservations will be included in a final invoice.