Distribution Channel Connection Guidelines

Connecting your Distribution Channels is one of the most vital steps to maximize your Cloudbeds experience. Distribution allows your property to be seen by the thousands of potential customers who visit the various OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) where you sell your property.

This article will walk you through the steps on how to connect a channel to your Cloudbeds account.

Things you should know before getting started:

  • Before Cloudbeds can connect your property to the distribution channels (OTAs), your property must be active (live) on the channel and the rooms should be already configured in the channel's extranet.
  • Check your rates on the Base Rate page to make sure the availability for your accommodations is correct (this information will be immediately updated to the channel upon activation, so accuracy is very important).
  • If the channel you want to connect is a calendar-based channel (vacation rentals), check Working with Calendar Channels. 

Supported channels and connection details

In this section, you will find all our supported channel categories and relevant information for the connection steps that will come next.

Getting Started:

  • Refers to Step 1 of any channel connection.
  • Some channels support the Cloudbeds Express Create feature, so you can create your account from within Cloudbeds PMS.
  • Some others require accessing the channel's extranet to sign up and ask for their team to assist you with that.
  • Channels that are part of a larger group (like Expedia, Odigeo, etc) must be connected to the group's owner first and later the availability distribution will be handled between you and your channel account manager. - In the tables below, those channels will have the getting started step referred to as "Open (channel name)". 

Channel manager connection type:

  • Refers to Step 2 of any channel connection.
  • Most channels will have a connectivity page where you can connect Cloudbeds channel manager to your account - those are the Direct activation channels.
  • Some other channels will require a channel account manager to complete this step for you.

Each channel has its estimated time for connection which does not depend on Cloudbeds support.

Check in the table below the channel you want to connect and their connection details and later move forward with Steps 1 to 3.  

Recommended OTAs

You can check all the dedicated guides to our recommended OTAs at this link.

Channel name Channel type

Guide

Target region 
Airbnb API API Guide Worldwide
Booking.com API Guide Worldwide
Expedia (includes Hotels.com, Hotwire, Lastminute.au, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Wotif) API Guide Worldwide
Google Hotel Search metasearch Guide Worldwide
Hostelworld API Guide Worldwide
Priceline/Agoda

API

Guide Worldwide

VRBO API (includes Abritel, Bookabach, and Stayz)

API Guide Worldwide
Tripadvisor API and ical

Vacation Rentals guide (includes Flipkey and Holiday Lettings)

Instant Book guide

Worldwide
Calendar-based channels (ical)

Calendar-based channels work differently than normal distribution channels. For example, only availability can be updated, no rates or any other stay restrictions.

To connect calendar-based channels, read carefully the details about this type of connection in the following articles:

Channel name Channel type Getting Started

Contact

Target region
Airbnb (ical) two-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up - Worldwide
Ebab one-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up  - Worldwide
GlampingHub two-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up - Activation by request  - Worldwide
Hipcamp one-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up  - US
Hopper Homes (iCal)  two-way ical  Channel's extranet sign-up Guide US
Pitchup two-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up - Worldwide
Riparide Two-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up - Activation by request Support Australia, the U.S., and New Zealand 
Tripadvisor Vacation Rentals Two-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up Guide Worldwide
VRBO (ical) Two-way ical  Channel's extranet sign-up Guide Worldwide
Wimdu  One-way ical Channel's extranet sign-up -  Worldwide
9flats One-way ical  Channel's extranet sign-up Contact Worldwide
Express Connect feature channels

Properties that do not have an account listed on those channels below, can create their account without leaving Cloudbeds PMS through the Express Connect feature. Once you open the channel on the Distribution page, you can set up property details to reflect on the channel's extranet.

Channel name Status Getting Started Channel manager connection type Sign up and support Contact Target region
Ace rooms Live Cloudbeds Express feature Activation by request

Contact

Register 

Worldwide
AltoVita Live Cloudbeds Express feature Direct activation - Worldwide
CVC Live Cloudbeds Express feature Activation by request
*check FAQ
Contact
FAQ
Americas
Dorms.com Live Cloudbeds Express feature Direct activation - Canada and Europe
StayHi (former HiBnb) Live Cloudbeds Express feature Direct activation (24-48h to activate Contact The U.S.
Katanox Live Cloudbeds Express feature -

Contact

Worldwide
Letsfly Live Cloudbeds Express feature Direct activation

Guide

Contact 1

Contact 2

Worldwide
LUEX Surf & Snow travel Live Cloudbeds Express feature Activation by request

Check FAQ before sign-up

Contact (sign-up and connection)

Worldwide
Panamericana Viajes Live Channel's extranet sign-up via email Activation by request 

Sign up Contact

Support Contact

South America (Colombia)
Roibos Live Channel's extranet sign-up and onboarding via email Activation by request

Signup/Onboarding Contact 

External integration guide

General Support Contact (once live)

Worldwide
Additional channels
Channel name
Channel type Getting Started Channel manager connection type

Sign up and Support Contact

Target region
AOT API Channel's extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet

Guide

Contact

Worldwide, with a strong emphasis on the Australian and New Zealand markets
AsiaYo  API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Guide Asia 
Atrapalo API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request (1-2 business days) - -
Bakuun API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation

Contact

Phone

 Worldwide
Bedandbreakfast.eu API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation - Europe
Bedandbreakfast.it API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation - Italy
Bedandbreakfast.nl API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation - Netherlands
Beds4travel API Account management needed Self-service in the extranet and Account management support Contact Worldwide
Bookeasy API Channel's extranet sign up Direct activation

Sign-up

AU contact
NZ contact

Australia and New Zealand
BookOutdoors API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request

Partner's guide

Contact 

Worldwide
Bookvisit API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation

Guide

Support

North America, South America, Europe, Central America and Latin America
BreakFree Holidays API Channel's extranet sign-up (*by email) Direct activation Contact Europe
CityBreak API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request - request API Contact Worldwide
Coliving.com API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Contact  Worldwide
Coworksurf API Channel's extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet

Partner's guide

Contact

Worldwide
CTrip/Trip.com
API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request 

Guide

Contact

Worldwide
Despegar/Decolar API Channel extranet sign-up Activation by request 

FAQ

New accounts

Add Kevin in CC

Latin America
DidaTravel API Channel extranet sign-up Activation by request  Sign-up contact China
Flight Centre API Channel extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet

Guide

Contact

Worldwide, with a strong emphasis on the Australian, United Kingdom, and New Zealand markets
Goibibo (Ingoibibo & Makemytrip) API Channel extranet sign-up Activation by request (request the access token when the channel confirms the connection) Contact India 
Habicus API Channel extranet sign-up Activation by request - Worldwide 
Haoqiao API Channel extranet sign-up (by email)  Activation by request Sign-up contact  Worldwide 
Hero Travel API Channel extranet sign-up Activation by request Contact Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Hopper API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request

Guide

Contact 

Worldwide
Hostel Galaxy API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Sign up/ list property > Support contact and/or Support email + property set up guide Worldwide
Hostels Club API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request  - Worldwide
HostelSnap Booking Engine booking engine Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation   - Worldwide
Hostel Hop
API Channel's extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet Contact Worldwide
Hotelbeds API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request (inform support when the activation code is received) Guide Worldwide
Hotelnet API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request - Worldwide
HotelRez (Synxis) API Channel's extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet Contact Worldwide
HotelTonight  metasearch Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request

Contact

Contact connectivity

FAQ

Worldwide
HRS API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request

Contact

Contact

 Europe
HRS Australasia API Channel's extranet sign-up (by email) Self-service in the extranet

Sign-up and Support

Australia
I-escape API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Contact  Worldwide
Icastelli.net API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request

Contact 

Support

Worldwide

InstantWorldBooking

API Channel's extranet sign-up (by email) Direct activation

Contact

Guide

Support 1

Support 2

Worldwide
Jalan API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation Support Japan 
Keytel/Hotusa API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request  - Worldwide 
Lastminute.com API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request  - Europe 
LocalOTA API Channel's extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet

Support contact

Technical contact

Worldwide
Maxbooking
API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation

Guide

Support

Worldwide, primarily across Europe
MG Bedbank API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Contact

Contact

South Asia
Miki travel API via Travelgate Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Contact Europe

Contact Worldwide

Worldwide
Mirai API Channel's extranet sign-up  (via email) Activation by request

Contact

Guide

Support

Worldwide
Mountain Vacation Rentals API Channel's extranet sign-up   Direct activation Contact Some regions in the U.S.
Mr & Mrs Smith (Smith Hotels) API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request (login to the mapping page to request)

Contact 

 Worldwide
Net Affinity v2 API Channel's extranet sign-up (via email) Activation by request (You may see two channel versions on the Distribution page. The Net Affinity team will confirm which you should connect.)

Guide

Support

Worldwide
Netroomz API Account management needed Activation by request Support Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia

ODIGEO Connect (includes Govoyage, Opodo, Travellink, and eDreams)

API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Contact 1

Contact 2

Europe 
Olympia Europe & Go Global Travel (includes Olympia, Viaggi, HProTravel, BestBuyHotel, HotelCon, Merigo, and Premier Tours) API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Contact

Europe
Open GDS API Channel's extranet sign-up  Direct activation  Contact Worldwide
Pitchup
API Channel's extranet sign-up  Self-service in the extranet

Guide

Worldwide, but with a strong emphasis on the UK market
Prestigia API Sign up Contact: Angela McGuire Account Management needed Contact: Kawtar Rasmy

Support 1

Support 2

Worldwide
Pricetravel API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation (3-5 days for approval)  Contact Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and the U.S.
Qantas API Channel's extranet sign-up Self-service in the extranet

Guide

Contact 1

Contact 2

Worldwide, with a strong emphasis on the Australian and New Zealand markets
Rakuten Travel Japan API Channel's extranet sign-up  Self-service in the extranet - Japan
Reconline API Channel's extranet sign-up  Direct activation Contact Europe
Restel API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request Contact Worldwide
Revato by HotelsCombined API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Support

Sign up form

Worldwide
Ridescope API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Contact 

Contact

Europe
Simplotel API Channel's extranet sign-up  Direct activation

Contact

Connection FAQ

Worldwide
SissiPark
API

Channel's extranet sign-up via email

Activation by request

Contact and Support

Technical Support

Spain
Speedybooker  API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation Contact Focus on UK, but also available in other 17 countries
Stash Hotel Rewards API Channel's extranet sign-up  Direct activation Support United States
Stay Bonanza API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation  Contact Europe, Australia and New Zealand 
Sybelio
API Channel's extranet sign-up (via email or form) Direct activation

Guide

Support

Primarily Mexico & other Latam countries on request
Tablet Hotels API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request Sign-up  Worldwide
ThailandConnex  API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Contact

Thailand
The Percentage App booking engine  - - Guide Worldwide
Thermal API Channel's extranet sign-up (*by email) Direct activation Contact Worldwide
Tiket.com API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request (request connection in the mapping  page)  Contact Indonesia
Tomas/Myhotelshop API Channel extranet sign-up (by email) Activation by request

Guide

Contact

Europe
Travelanium API Contact customer support for activation Self-service in the extranet after the activation Contact Worldwide, primarily Southeast Asia and Oceania
Travelgate API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Guide Worldwide
Traveloka API Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request

Guide

Contact

Asia
TravelRepublic API Channel's extranet sign-up  Direct activation (Establishment ID needed)  - Worldwide
TravelStay API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation Contact Europe
Viagio (former Hostelculture) - Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request via form

Support 1

Support 2

Worldwide
Viajes Aramon API via Travelgate Channel's extranet sign-up  Activation by request Contact  Aramon (Spain)
Viajes Olympia API via Travelgate Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Contact Worldwide
W2M AP via Juniper Channel's extranet sign-up via email Activation by request Contact Worldwide
Website Travel API Channel's extranet sign-up Activation by request Guide Worldwide
Wellbeds API via Travelgate Channel's extranet sign-up
Activation by request

Contact

Spain
Wink (former iko.travel/ Traveliko) API Channel's extranet sign-up
 Direct activation Contact Thailand, Sri Lanka, Asia
Xcaliber
API Channel's extranet sign-up Direct activation

Sign up and Support Contact

Technical Support

Guide below

Worldwide
Yatra + TravelGuru

API

Channel's extranet sign-up
Activation by request Contact Focus in India; properties Worldwide

Connect a channel to Cloudbeds PMS

1 - Getting started

If you already have an account with the channel: Proceed to Step 2.

If you do not have an account with the channel: You need to sign up.

In the supported channels tables above you will find all the details you need to proceed with your channel connection.

  1. Access the Distribution page
  2. Go to Discover and search for the desired channel
  3. Click to view channel

Click to view channel.png

  1. Click to create a new account:
  • If the channel has the Cloudbeds Creation Express Feature, you can create your account from within the distribution page.
    • After following the steps in Cloudbeds PMS, go to the channel's extranet to finish any additional settings required by the channel itself.    
  • If not, you will be redirected to the channel’s extranet to sign up.
  1. Once the account creation is complete, proceed to Step 2.

Once the account creation is complete, proceed to Step 2..png

2 - Enable Cloudbeds as your channel manager

Check the channel manager connection type  in the table to know how to proceed:

  1. Direct activation channels:
    1. Navigate to the channel extranet’s connectivity settings and enable Cloudbeds as your channel manager.
    2. Proceed to Step 3.
    3. If you do not find the connectivity settings on the extranet page, contact the channel support for assistance. 
  1. Activation by request:
    • If the channel requires account management for connection, reach out to your Channel's Account Manager or to the partner support contact and request the connection to Cloudbeds channel manager.
    • Once the connection is confirmed on the channel's side, inform Cloudbeds PMS support so we can enable the channel connection on our side. Once this step is complete, the channel status should be ready for mapping and proceed to Step 3.
  1. Cloudbeds Express feature channels:
    • If you are creating a new account, the step to connect the channel manager will be included in the process.
    • If you already have an account with the channel, reach out to the channel's account manager to configure the connection of Cloudbeds channel manager in the connectivity settings of the extranet.

Enable Cloudbeds as your channel manager.png

3 - Map the channel in Cloudbeds PMS distribution page

On the Distribution page,

  1. Go to the Channels tab
  2. Click to +Add channel 

  1. Search for the channel you want to connect to and click on it.

  1. Click to Enable Channel

  1. Most of the channels will request specific credentials to connect (Hotel ID, Hotel Key, Password, emails, Account number). Fill out the form with the credentials previously provided by the channel to log in.

  1. Map the room types created in Cloudbeds with their corresponding rooms in the channel. A drop-down menu will display all the existing rooms in the channel's extranet.

 The room mapping must be one-to-one, do not map multiple room types to one single room type in Cloudbeds. For detailed information about the mapping process, check our Room Mapping Guidelines before moving forward.

  1. Add Base Rate Adjustment for each room type, if needed. Click NEXT when completed or leave it empty if you want to skip.

If the channel has no extra settings, the mapping is complete.

3.2 Channel-specific settings (extra settings):

Some channels may display certain specific options to be configured during the mapping. Examples:

  • Currency - set the correct currency if the channel works with a different currency than your default

1.png

  • Rate Plan Mapping - Select which rate plan Cloudbeds will update in the channel. We strongly advise you to select the standard rate.

  Create multiple rate plans for each room type and have those sync to channels by using Advanced Channel Rates.

2.png

  • Extra bed rate setting: some channels support the extra bed rate settings in Cloudbeds (e.g. Agoda). If the channel does not provide this option, reach out to your channel account manager to set this up directly in the channel's extranet.

3.png

  • Occupancy-based pricing rules for extra infant, child and adult with the following options:
    • charge an amount equal to the room rate;
    • as a fixed amount (insert the amount next)
    • no charge
    • as a percentage of the room rate (insert the percentage next)
  • Advanced Booking Settings:
    • Minimum Advanced Booking Offset
      • Also known as "Early Booker" or "Cutoff" restriction, this value signifies the last day before check-in on which a rate will be displayed to travelers. For instance, if set to "720 hours", a rate will be displayed to travelers until 30 days before check-in and then hidden afterward.
    • Maximum Advanced Booking Offset
      • Also known as a "Last Minute Booking" restriction, this value signifies the first day before check-in on which a rate will be displayed to travelers. For instance, if set to "72 hours", a rate will be displayed to travelers starting 3 days prior to check-in and no sooner.

4.png

By default:

  • The Minimum Advanced Booking Offset value will be set as "0" - meaning the last point the room can be booked is midnight the date of stay
  • The Maximum Advanced Booking Offset will be set as 13200 - meaning the room becomes available to book 550 days before date of stay or 1.5 years

If you set Minimum Advanced  Booking Offset or Maximum Advanced Booking Offset as "0" this is causing both fields to be set to 0 on the channel, it means that your property is not bookable until midnight on the date of stay.

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Comments

6 comments
  • Hi Dear partner,

    We would like to connect our RBNB For 6 Rooms to our channel manager cloudbeds.

    Thank you!

    Dar D'or Fes

    Namir

    0
  • Hello, Namir Mohammed!!

    Thank you so much for reaching out!

    We have already forwarded your request to our dedicated Support Team for further assistance. We are here to help!

    Kind regards 💙

    0
  • Hello how can i sign up for google hotel search

    0
  • Hello, Libbygybishop!

    Please access the following article for more information about Google Hotel Search. It also includes the getting started guide. 

    Best regards!

    0
  • Hi there

    Would you please help us connect to Expedia 

    0
  • Hello, Oaneaionela02!

    We have already forwarded your Expedia connection request to our Support Team so they can assist you as soon as possible.

    Regards!

    0

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