In this article, we will go through the settings that you need to make to start using TL Channel Manager.
I already use other TravelLine solutions
I do not use any TravelLine solutions other than TravelLine Channel Manager
I already use other TravelLine solutions
If you already have the TravelLine account and use other TravelLine solutions, take the following steps to start room sales through Channel Manager:
1. Select an existing rate plan to offer on online distribution channels, or create a completely new one:
If you plan to offer an existing rate plan, select this rate plan from the list of rate plans, open the “General settings” tab, scroll to “Points of sale” and tick the “Channel Manager” option.
To create a new rate plan, follow the instruction.
You might need discount rate plans for some of the distribution channels. For this purpose, create derived rate plans.
Make sure that you set prices for every occupancy type. Occupancy types without prices will not be offered on online distribution channels.
2. Check the number of vacant rooms.
After you set up TL Channel Manager, it will send information on the number of available rooms to the channels. For this reason, before connecting to channels, go to “Room management” > “Availability” to check availability.
If you do not use TL WebPMS or a PMS Integration, read how to change availability.
In case you use TL WebPMS, find out how to manage availability in TL WebPMS.
If you use a PMS Integration, learn how to manage availability in a PMS integrated with TravelLine.
3. Connect to online distribution channels. How to connect to online distribution channels that you partner with.
After you connect to online distribution channels, your price rates and availability will be updated across them.
Some distribution channels also sync bookings for the upcoming periods created before the connection. Such bookings do not take away the availability.
I do not use any TravelLine solutions other than TL Channel Manager
If you start making settings with TL Channel Manager, take the following steps:
1. Go to “Hotel management” > “Main settings”. There, make the following settings:
Upload the hotel logo (it will be used for marketing newsletters)
Set age ranges for children — if prices for children of different ages differ, define at what ages prices are supposed to change
Indicate the hotel address
Add contact details: email and phone number; make sure to indicate an email for notifications — Channel Manager will send notifications on bookings at this email address
2. Go to “Room management” > “Room types”.
Create all the room types in the TravelLine account. They should coincide with the room types you created on online distribution channels.
Carefully check the “Occupancy” section for each room type.
3. Go to “Room management” > “Availability”.
Set the default availability — the maximum number of nights offered on online distribution channels
Indicate the number of vacant rooms available at the moment — this number will be offered on the online distribution channel right after it is connected
Make sure you indicated the right number of vacant rooms before connecting to online distribution channels.
4. Go to “Room management” > “Rate plans”.
Create rate plans for online distribution channels and set prices for every room type
You might need discount rate plans for some of the distribution channels. For this purpose, create derived rate plans.
Make sure that you set prices for every occupancy type. Occupancy types without prices will not be offered on online distribution channels.
5. Go to “Channel Manager” > “Manage channels”. How to connect to online distribution channels that you partner with.
It is important to map all the room types and rate plans. Otherwise, data will not be synced across the online distribution channels correctly. |
After you connect to online distribution channels, your price rates and availability will be updated across them.
Some distribution channels also sync bookings for the upcoming periods created before the connection. Such bookings do not take away the availability.