Learn how Expedia messaging works in Hostaway, including API-based guest communication and what to expect when messaging Expedia guests from the dashboard.
A guide for managing Expedia guest messages in the Hostaway unified inbox.
1. What is the Expedia Messaging API?
The Expedia Messaging API allows you to send and receive supported guest messages from Expedia directly inside Hostaway’s unified inbox. For eligible reservations, conversations can be managed through Expedia’s official messaging channel inside Hostaway.
Important: not all POS are supported by Expedia for the Messaging API. Messaging works for direct Expedia/Vrbo bookings. For EAN (Expedia Affiliate Network) bookings, messaging may fail depending on the originating partner. In those cases, communication automatically falls back to email.
If the available email is a proxy email ending in @m.expediapartnercentral.com, the fallback email will not reach the guest. In that case, the guest’s real email address must be added manually for email communication to work.
2. Who is this for?
This feature is designed for Hostaway customers integrated with Expedia who want to manage Expedia guest communication from the unified inbox, alongside other channels such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and direct bookings.
3. Key Benefits
Centralized Communication
Supported Expedia guest conversations can be managed in Hostaway’s unified inbox, giving teams a single place to handle communication across channels.
Better Team Efficiency
Your team can manage Expedia messages in the same place as other channels, reducing tool switching and speeding up responses.
Flexible Delivery Depending on Booking Type
For direct Expedia/Vrbo bookings, messages are delivered through Expedia’s official messaging channel. For some EAN bookings, messaging availability depends on the originating partner and may fall back to email instead.
Improved Guest Experience
When messaging is supported, guests receive timely and consistent information through the Expedia experience they are already using. When it is not supported, email fallback may be used if a valid guest email address is available.
4. What Can You Do with It?
With Expedia Messaging API enabled in Hostaway, you can:
- View supported Expedia guest messages in the unified inbox.
- Reply to guests using the same Hostaway interface used for Airbnb, Vrbo, and direct channels.
- Choose “via channel (Expedia)” as the sending method when the booking supports Expedia messaging.
- Keep conversation history in one place for easy tracking and follow-up.
This supports tasks such as:
- Sending check-in and check-out instructions.
- Answering pre-arrival questions.
- Resolving in-stay issues quickly and consistently.
5. How It Works in Practice
Here’s a typical workflow with Expedia Messaging via Hostaway:
- A guest sends a message through Expedia.
- The message appears in Hostaway’s unified inbox as an Expedia message.
- You reply from the same screen used for other channels.
- For direct Expedia/Vrbo bookings, the reply is delivered through Expedia’s official messaging channel.
- For some EAN bookings, messaging may not be supported depending on the originating partner, and communication falls back to email.
- If only a proxy email such as
@m.expediapartnercentral.comis available, the guest will not receive the fallback email, so the guest’s real email must be added manually.
6. Why Use Hostaway for Expedia Messaging?
Direct Integration
Hostaway uses a direct API connection to Expedia messaging for supported cases, helping improve visibility and operational efficiency.
Unified Inbox Across Channels
Expedia messages can sit alongside Airbnb, Vrbo, and direct booking messages in the same unified inbox.
Built for Growing Portfolios
Hostaway combines Expedia messaging with a full PMS designed for operators managing from dozens up to thousands of properties.