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 that visit the various OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) 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 you get 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 and Connecting one-way Calendar Channels/Google Calendar with myfrontdesk.
How to Connect a Channel to Cloudbeds PMS
- If you don’t have an account at the channel, you need to sign-up. Find in the table below the sign-up links or specific guides of all the channels Cloudbeds can connect.
- If you already have an account at the desired channel, proceed with Step 2.
Most of the channels will have a connectivity page in the extranet settings where you can connect to Cloudbeds channel manager.
- To confirm the specific step-by-step of certain channel, reach out to your Channel's Account Manager or to the partner support and request the connection to myallocator (channel manager by Cloudbeds)
- Once the connection is confirmed on the channel's side, check Step 3.
Access your Cloudbeds account:
- Click on the Manage (gear icon)
- Access Channels tab
- Search for the channel you want to connect on the list and click on Not Setup or Ready for Mapping button
- Click on Enable Channel
- 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 login.
- 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.
For detailed information about the mapping process, check our Distribution Channel Mapping Guidelines
- Add Base Rate Adjustment for each room type, if needed. Click NEXT when completed or leave it empty if you want to skip.
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
- Rate Plan Mapping - Select which rate plan Cloudbeds will update in the channel. We strongly advise to select the standard rate.
Create multiple rate plans for each room type and have those sync to channels by using Advanced Channel Rates
- 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.
Click on Full Refresh in the top right corner of the Channel Setup page to send rates/availability from Cloudbeds to the channel immediately:
Review your rates and availability in the channel's extranet after finishing the mapping to assure the channel is well synced.
