Learn how reservations and settings behave after connecting Vrbo to Hostaway and what to review once the integration is active.
Pre-Integration Steps
Update Your Calendar and Reservations
- Before activating the Hostaway integration, ensure existing Vrbo reservations are reflected in the Hostaway calendar by manually updating them if necessary.
- Avoid marking pre-existing reservations in the Hostaway calendar as "Vrbo" to prevent additional charges from Vrbo.
Understand Technical Limitations
- Once Vrbo mapping is complete, we import the reservations Vrbo sends us via the API. This includes past reservations for existing accounts. However, reservations are not imported for newly created accounts, as there are no pre-existing reservations to retrieve.
- iCal links block availability but do not sync full reservation details, such as traveler information.
By preparing your calendars and understanding these limitations, you can ensure a smoother integration process.
Overview of Vrbo-Hostaway Integration
The integration enables syncing of listings and bookings, allowing for streamlined property management. Certain limitations and procedures must be followed to prevent errors or unnecessary expenses.
Integrating your Vrbo account with Hostaway using API brings robust data synchronization capabilities. However, understanding how different features, including iCal and API, interact is crucial to ensure seamless operations. Below, we provide answers to frequently encountered scenarios.
Reservation Management FAQs
It is also crucial to prepare your calendars and understand the technical limitations before starting the integration process.
What happens to Vrbo reservations if I remove the iCal connection after enabling API integration?
If you remove the Vrbo iCal connection after enabling API integration, any Vrbo reservations created before the integration will be removed from the Hostaway calendar. To prevent this, consider:
Additionally, bookings made before the API connection will not transfer automatically. It is recommended to manually update these bookings in Hostaway to maintain accurate records.
- Keeping the iCal connection active until all prior reservations are completed.
- Manually importing the reservations into the Hostaway system to avoid losing any reservation data after the iCal removal.
Will I manage reservations made before the Vrbo-Hostaway integration through Vrbo or Hostaway?
Reservations made before the integration will continue to be managed through Vrbo. Conversely, reservations made post-integration will be managed through Hostaway.
Why aren't existing reservations in Hostaway being recognized by Vrbo?
Reservations created in Hostaway manually or imported via CSV are categorized as 'Hostaway Direct' bookings and are not linked or synced with the Vrbo API. This means:
- Changes made on Vrbo, like traveler date updates or cancellations, will not sync with these reservations.
- These reservations will appear as blocked dates in Vrbo rather than fully synced reservations.
Payment and Charges FAQs
This section also explains how charges and payments are handled before and after the integration, ensuring clarity during the transition.
What happens with charges after integrating Hostaway with Vrbo?
When you integrate Hostaway with Vrbo, a one-way API connection is established from Hostaway to Vrbo. Consequently:
- Any charges or information updated in Hostaway will override the data in Vrbo.
- Guest booking charges in Vrbo will show only as one bulk charge, encompassing the total amount, including taxes and any additional fees.
Troubleshooting Common Integration Issues
Can Hostaway retrieve a Vrbo iCal link after it has been deleted?
Hostaway cannot retrieve a Vrbo iCal link once it has been deleted. Additionally:
- Vrbo may deactivate iCal export functionality if API integration is active or iCal has been removed.
- To resolve this issue, you can: - Check the Hostaway Channel Manager to see if the iCal link is still available.- Attempt to re-enable iCal export via your Vrbo account or contact Vrbo support to request regeneration of the iCal link for the listing.