Connecting to TripAdvisor in new design

Minimum requirements to connect

In order to connect the Property Manager’s (PM’s) property to the TripAdvisor, the following requirements must be met:

  • Property name cannot be longer than 80 characters;

  • Property type must be selected;

  • Maximum number of guests must be from 1 to 50;

  • Address and Geo-coordinates must be provided;

  • Licence number must be provided in case of the following locations: San Francisco, Balearic Islands, Cantabria and Catalonia. In case the property is located in France or French-administered territories, you need to provide Licence number unless your property is exempt. Please, refer to the local law.

  • Number of bathrooms: there is at least 1 bathroom;

  • Description cannot be longer than 300 characters;

  • Photos:
    • main picture is selected;
    • minimum width is 640 px, minimum height is 480 px;
    • there at least 4 valid photos provided.
  • Prices and availability are provided for some seasons;

  • Check-in and Check-out hours are provided;

Establishing connection

In order to start advertising on TripAdvisor, you need to establish the connection with this sales channel. You can do this by adding it to the list of services in your account. Follow the below steps in order to get connected.

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Click the Find Services tab.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Get connected button.

  1. Your connection is now being validated in the background. If the validation is passed successfully, the Connection Wizard is launched and you can go to the next step. If you are not eligible to connect to TripAdvisor, an error is displayed.

    Eligibility errors indicate violating initial channel requirements that need to be met before you establish the connection. You will not be able to go to the next step and finish the connection process unless the eligibility error is cleared away. In order to resolve it, follow the instructions displayed on the screen. Please, see an exemplary eligibility error below.

  2. You are presented with a brief description on how the TripAdvisor works. Read it carefully and confirm that you agree with it by ticking the checkbox below. Do not worry, once all the steps of the Connection Wizard are completed, you will still be able to view the How it works content again. Click the Save & Next button on the bottom of the page to move to the next step.

    Tip: On the top of the page, you can view the progress of the Connection Wizard. Depending on the channel, the number of steps may differ. You can stop anywhere along the process. Upon next time you open the Connection Wizard, you will continue at the last completed step.

  3. Follow the next steps displayed in Rentals United.

Adding accounts

After configuring the connection to the channel, you need to synchronize your first account. Later, you can add more accounts and manage all your properties from one place and at the same time have a clear perspective on which property is managed by which account.

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. Connect your account.

    Depending on whether you already have an account connected to the TripAdvisor or not, you are presented with two different options.

    • If it is the first account, click the Synchronize your first account button.

    • If it is another account to connect, click the Connect another account button.

  2. Provide the data required by TripAdvisor in order to identify your account.

    Note: Different channels require different information to identify your account.

    • In case of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy it is HMC ID;

    • In case of TripAdvisor it is Network Account ID.

    Tip: If you do not know where to find the required information, you can use the How do I get... tip available on the screen and answer the questions in it. You will be prompted where you should look this information up. If you cannot find it, you should contact the sales channel directly.

  3. Save by clicking the Link accounts button. If the validation is successful, the Property settings page opens and you can connect properties.

Add new properties

Follow the below procedure if you already have some properties created in Rentals United and you want to connect them to TripAdvisor.

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. Connect the property.

    Depending on whether you already have some properties connected to the TripAdvisor or not, you are presented with two different options.

    • If it is the first property to be connected, click the Connect your first property button.

    • If it is the next property to be connected, click the Add property button.

  2. A dialog window appears with the question if the property is already published in TripAdvisor.

    • If the property is listed in TripAdvisor, terminate the process and map your properties to the TripAdvisor listings.

    • If the property is not listed in TripAdvisor, click No.

  3. Choose the properties to connect to the channel. You can read about the different ways of filtering and selecting properties here..

  4. Click Next. You will see here the summary of all selected properties. Review the list and check if all properties that you wish to connect are included.

    5. Click Next to proceed.

  5. The content quality is analysed. The process should take up to a few minutes.

  6. The summary of properties’ content is displayed.

    1. Check the content quality by unfolding the section with warning.

      Verify if any data is missing or incorrect. It is possible to display the errors by unfolding the section. For more detailed summary of errors, download the XLSX report by clicking the Download Quality Check button.

    2. Correct the content indicated in the report in .

    3. Go back to the Property List and click the Re-check button. If no further errors are displayed, the property is ready to publish.

  7. If the selected properties are ready to publish, adjust the markup for each of them.

  8. Click the Publish properties button.

  9. The published properties enter the Pending status. The channel reviews your properties and their status will be updated automatically.

    Note: A connection error may occur after having finished the procedure. Click the Content action required button to see the error details. Perform suggested actions and click Retry to connect again.

    The status changes to Pending. After the channel reviews your properties, their status will change to Active. If the error persists, contact the Rentals United Support Team.

Mapping properties to existing listings

If you have created properties in Rentals United and you already have corresponding properties in TripAdvisor, you may create a link between the two properties in these systems.

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. Depending on whether you already have some properties connected to the TripAdvisor or not, you are presented with two different options.

    • If it is the first property to be connected, click the Connect your first property button.

    • If it is the next property to be connected, click the Add property button.

  2. A dialog window appears with the question if the property is already published in TripAdvisor. Click Yes.

    Note: If the property is not published in TripAdvisor, you should connect it. Follow the connecting procedure instead.

  3. A list of unmapped listings for that cluster is retrieved from TripAdvisor.

  4. Select the listing you want to create a mapping for and click Connect this listing button.

  5. From the list, select the property to map and click Next

    Note: If the property that you are looking for is not available, it may mean that:

    • The property has already been mapped to TripAdvisor and is not referenced in the dropdown. It is not possible to map them multiple times.

    • The property has been recently added to TripAdvisor and is currently being process by the channel (Pending).

  6. The summary of properties’ content is displayed.

    • If you want to change the property to map, click the Modify button.

    • If the property is not ready to map:

      1. Verify if any data is missing or incorrect.

      2. Click the Edit property button. The Edit property page is opened in a new tab.

      3. Correct the content indicated in the report in the Edit property page. Save.

      4. Come back to the Property List page and click the Improved, check again button.

  7. If the property is ready to map, adjust markup.

  8. Click the Link & Connect button.

  9. The published properties enter the Pending status. The channel reviews your properties and their status will be updated automatically.

    Note: A connection error may occur. Click the Content action required button to see the error details. Perform suggested actions and click Retry to connect again.

    The status changes to Pending. After the channel reviews your properties, their status will change to Active. If the error persists, contact the Rentals United Support Team.

Editing rates

The information in this chapter is useful when you already have properties connected or mapped, but you want to introduce changes to rates that will affect only TripAdvisor.

Quick editing data for single rates

With these settings, you can override the property data you have in the Edit property page. Before the property data is sent to TripAdvisor, it is modified with additional configuration you can apply now. Note that whatever you set right now will apply only to this channel.

  1. Click the Manage button.

  2. The Management page opens.

    You can increase or decrease the price by editing the mark-up value.

  3. Click the Save changes button.

    Note: Changes introduced here will not affect any other channel than TripAdvisor and will only apply to this rate.

Manual options for all rates in a group

With these settings, you can override the property data you have in the Edit property page.

Note: This is only available if you operate on the Daily price model. In case you operate on LOS pricing or FSP pricing models, you will be able only to view manual options, but not edit.

  1. Click the Manage rates button.

  2. Scroll down to the Manual options section and click the Activate manual options button.

  3. Adjust the available options.

    • You can verify the availability of a single rate, as well as the total availability of all rates in the Availability summary row.

    • You can verify and temporarily update total availability by typing the new value. If the field has been edited, it is highlighted in blue. To undo the manual settings, click the blue field, delete the value and click away. The field now contains the default value taken from Step 5: Price and availability.

      Example: You received a reservation from 26 May 2021 to 30 May 2021 for Property 15 from another channel. The availability is blocked. However, you already know that the reservation is cancelled, but the availability has not been updated yet. You may still want to rent the property at this time, hence you can temporarily update the availability and receive reservations for this time.
      Important: Bear in mind that once you change anything in manual options, the settings will be persisting until you manually undo them! For example, if you bump up the availability and a reservation comes in, the availability will not be automatically closed and overbookings are possible! You will have to reset the settings in manual options.

    • You can verify and temporarily update price and minimum stay by clicking the pencil icon next to the relevant rate and typing the new value. The field now contains the default value taken from Step 5: Price and availability. If the field has been edited, it is highlighted in blue. To undo the manual settings, click the blue field, delete the value and click away.

    • You can also update availability, price and minimum stay for one rate for multiple days.

      1. Click the Batch edit button.

      2. Select rate from the dropdown.

      3. Specify dates.

      4. Update availability, price and / or minimum stay.

      5. Click Save changes.

      Edited fields are highlighted in blue. It is not possible to undo manual settings in batch. To undo the manual settings, click the blue field, delete the value and click away. The field now contains the default value taken from Step 5: Price and availability.

Updating listings

If you introduce changes to your property's content and you want these changes to be reflected in the channel, you need to remember to trigger a content update. While ARI updates are handled automatically, the updates made to the static content are not. Hence, if you do not update the channel - your listing may display outdated information to your guests.

The scope of changes that need updating the channel is broad and includes updates to descriptions, photos, property data, fees and taxes and many more. For details, see All properties. Follow the procedure below to send changes to TripAdvisor.

Important: If you have additional information saved in the channel, be aware that making changes in Rentals United and then triggering a full update will overwrite any additional information you have provided earlier in the channel dashboard! Effects of this action cannot be reversed.

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. You have changed content of your property. Find the cluster to which this property is assigned.

  2. Hover over the three-dot menu on the cluster level. Click the Update listing content option.

  3. Confirmation pop-up displays. Click the Update listing content button again to confirm.

  4. The property status enters the Pending state. The updates are being sent to TripAdvisor. Wait until the process is finished.

  5. Once the operation is successful, the status updates to Active. You may preview these changes in the TripAdvisor dashboard or already on the TripAdvisor website.

Deactivating properties

In this section, you can find more information on how to stop renting your properties on the TripAdvisor channel.

Deactivating rates

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. Search for the property you want to deactivate the rate for by scrolling down or filtering the property out.

  2. Click the Manage rates button.

  3. A property management page is opened.

  4. Click the Deactivate button.

    Important: Make sure that the rate has been deactivated first in the TripAdvisor dashboard.

    Important: By deactivating, you stop sending availability and prices to TripAdvisor, leaving the property open to new reservations on the TripAdvisor channel. This means that new reservations can be made through TripAdvisor, but the channel will not receive the correct availability and pricing information. This may result in overbookings!

    Availability can be always re-opened by clicking the Activate button next to the rate.

Removing the property connection

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. Search for the property you want to remove by scrolling down or filtering the property out.

  2. Hover over the three dot menu on the right and select the Remove property option.

    Confirm the action by clicking the Confirm removal button.

Rentals United requests a confirmation from TripAdvisor whether this listing exists in the channel or not. In case your listing is still available in the channel, there is a pop-up message displayed prompting you to remove the listing from TripAdvisor first. If you have not performed it yet, you need to contact TripAdvisor Support Team.

Once we confirm that this listing does not exist in the TripAdvisor dashboard, then the connection is removed from Rentals United database and the property is also removed from the list in Property Settings.

Handling notifications

Rentals United constantly validates and monitors the quality of your properties’ content in our system as well as in the connection between Rentals United and the channels. Hence, you can easily check the current status of your connection and take proper steps in case improvements are needed.

Notifications may be displayed on two levels: the property level and the rate level.

In order to learn more about the received notifications, click the Check notifications button. In most cases, you are prompted to see what can be done to clear the notification away. Depending on an notification type, you can either:

  • Retry - Rentals United attempts to synchronize your property content again

  • Clear all - you confirm you read the notifications, but intend no action

  • Manage - you need to manually adjust the property’s content according to the prompt

Tip: At this point, you may be interested in the Connection statuses article.

Bulk actions

  1. In Rentals United platform, go to the Services tab.

  2. Select the proper list to search for TripAdvisor.

    • Find Services lists the channels you are not yet connected to,

    • My Services lists the channels which you have already established connection with and channels that are in the process of being connected.

  3. Type the TripAdvisor name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

  4. Unfold the TripAdvisor section by clicking the Down arrow button.

  5. Click the Property Settings button.

  1. Click the Bulk actions button on top of the page.

  2. You entered the bulk flow and you can update all your listings at once. Bulk actions may vary across the channels. Bear in mind that some options that are available for TripAdvisor may not be available for other channels.

    You can read more about bulk actions:

  3. Select the option and follow the steps displayed on the screen.

  4. After the operation is finished, you will be prompted that it was successful. Click the OK button and you will be moved to the Property Settings.

    Note: If any process fails for some properties, you will be presented information which properties were not updated and you can try again.