Connecting to Airbnb

Minimum requirements to connect

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

• Property name contains minimum 8 characters;

• Licence number must be filled if the property is located in certain locations, for example France or on a French-administered territory, but you may be asked to fill it in for other locations, too. Please, refer to your local law.

• Address: Country and Post code are provided;

• Geo-coordinates are provided;

• Location: Property must not be located in certain locations. For a current list of restricted locations, please, refer to Airbnb.

• Amenities: At least 5 amenities are selected;

• Description contains minimum 50 characters;

• Photos: minimum 7 photos uploaded, the minimum size is width: 800 px and height: 500 px;

• Prices and availability are provided for some seasons;

• Number of beds matches the Maximum number of guests;

Setting Rentals United

In order to fully utilize the capabilities of Rentals United and make the linking of the two systems possible, you need to set Rentals United as the connectivity provider in Airbnb. For example, this is required in order to enable mapping properties to the listings in the channel. Please, perform the following.

With this procedure, you can connect to your Airbnb account for the first time and add a new Airbnb account to the already existing connection.

Add new properties

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

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

   

2. Select the proper list to search for Airbnb.

   

   • 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 Airbnb name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

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

5. Click the Property Settings button.

   

6. Connect the property.

   Depending on whether you already have some properties connected to the Airbnb 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 more properties button.

     

7. A dialog window appears with the question if the property is already published in Airbnb.

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

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

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

   

9. 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.

   

Click Next to proceed.

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

11. The summary of properties’ content is displayed.

    

    If some properties are not ready to publish, improve the content.

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

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

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

       

12. If the properties are ready to publish, adjust the mark-up for each of your properties.

    

13. Click the Create new listing button.

14. The published properties enter the Pending status. The channel reviews your properties and their status will be updated automatically. The properties get available almost instantly in the Airbnb website and the status changes from Pending to Active. From now on, the connection is active and reservations can be made.

Mapping properties to existing listings

If you have created properties in Rentals United (either added them manually or through Importing properties from Airbnb) and you already have corresponding properties in Airbnb, you may create a link between the two properties in these systems. Before you do this, make sure that you selected Rentals United as your Connectivity Provider, following the steps at Setting Rentals United.

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

   

2. Select the proper list to search for Airbnb.

   

   • 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 Airbnb name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

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

5. Click the Property Settings button.

   

6. Connect the property.

7. Depending on whether you already have some properties connected to Airbnb 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.

     

8. A dialog window appears with the question if the property is already published in Airbnb.

   

   • If the property is listed in Airbnb, click Yes.

   • If the property is not listed in Airbnb, terminate the process and start with connecting your properties.

9. A list of unmapped listings for that cluster is retrieved from Airbnb.

   Tip: Rentals United will attempt to automatically match the listings from the Airbnb site with the corresponding properties in Rentals United. Once done, you can skip manual mapping and go to this Step. If some properties were not matched together, follow the procedure along and proceed to next Step.

10. Click Connect this listing button next to the listing you want to map.

    

11. 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 Airbnb and is not referenced in the dropdown. It is not possible to map them multiple times.

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

12. The summary of properties’ content is displayed.

    

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

    • If the property is ready to map, go to next Step.

    • If the property is not ready to map, improve the content.

      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.

13. From the dropdown list, select the type of data synchronization. This is an important step - see the differences between the available synchronization types here.

    

14. If needed, adjust the mark-up value.

15. Click the Link & Connect button.

16. The published properties enter the Pending status. The channel reviews your properties and their status will be updated automatically. The properties get available almost instantly in the Airbnb website and the status changes from Pending to Active.

    Note: Your properties are now successfully mapped to the Airbnb listings and remain in synchronization. Rentals United synchronizes the prices and availability to the channel and Airbnb passes correctly all the reservations. You can always change the mapped property. To do this, click the three-dot menu and select the Change mapping option.

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 Airbnb.

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 Airbnb, 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. Scroll down to the Advanced settings section.

   

   • Mark-up - indicates the value that the prices in Rentals United should be adjusted by;

   • Synchronization model - it denotes the scope of data that is synchronized with Airbnb;

   • Cancellation Policy - it indicates the amount to be paid by the guest in case the reservation is cancelled;

   • Number of people in price - it refers to the Standard number of guests the price is calculated for. Here, it is possible to overwrite the value set for this property in Standard number of guests in Step 5: Price and availability.

   • Minimal price per night - you can set up a minimum price for this property in Airbnb; then, in case this property's prices in Step 5: Price and availability are set below this level, they will be increased.

   • Additional amount per day - you can specify an additional amount that will be charged each day of the reservation. It may cover for additional services available at this rate.

     Example: If you offer a breakfast service to your guests, you can create a rate for this purpose and cover it in the additional amount per day.

   • Overwrite minimum stay - it is possible to overwrite the property's minimum stay in this particular rate.

     Example: Minimum stay from Monday to Friday is 2 nights, from Saturday to Sunday is 4 nights.

     • If you set the overwrite minimum stay value to 1 or 2, nothing will happen.

     • If you set the overwrite minimum stay value to 3, only the Monday to Friday season will be overwritten.

     • If you set the overwrite minimum stay value to 5, the Monday to Sunday season will be overwritten.

3. Click the Save changes button.

   Note: Changes introduced here will not affect any other channel than Airbnb 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.

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.

Depending on the synchronization mode you selected, different scope of information gets updated in the channel. Remember that it is only the descriptive content that is updated in the channel - see Static & dynamic content.

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

   

2. Select the proper list to search for Airbnb.

   

   • 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 Airbnb name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

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

5. Click the Property Settings button.

   

6. Click the Manage rates button.

   

7. Click the Push details button to trigger the update in the channel.

   

8. Rentals United synchronized the latest data to Airbnb and updates the listing in their system.

Deactivating properties

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

Remove listing from Airbnb website

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

   

2. Select the proper list to search for Airbnb.

   

   • 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 Airbnb name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

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

5. Click the Property Settings button.

   

6. Click the Manage rates button.

   

7. Click the three dot menu button and click Unlist this property option.

   

8. Rentals United prompts the Airbnb to remove this listing from their website. This means that guests will no longer see your property on the Airbnb booking website and will not be able to book it. Hence, you will no longer receive any reservations for this property coming from Airbnb. Note, however, that this property will be still visible in the Property Settings in Rentals United for Airbnb and the Airbnb dashboard.

Removing the property connection

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

   

2. Select the proper list to search for Airbnb.

   

   • 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 Airbnb name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

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

5. Click the Property Settings button.

   

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

7. 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 Airbnb 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 Airbnb first. If you have not performed it yet, you need to contact Airbnb Support Team.

Once we confirm that this listing does not exist in the Airbnb 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

Bulk actions

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

   

2. Select the proper list to search for Airbnb.

   

   • 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 Airbnb name in the search box or scroll down through the list of available channels.

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

5. Click the Property Settings button.

   

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

   

7. 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 Airbnb may not be available for other channels.

   You can read more about bulk actions:

   • Other bulk actions

   • Batch content update

   • Batch refresh synchronisation settings

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

9. 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.

   

Importing properties

Import your hotels from Airbnb to Rentals United. This is an easy and quick way to add new properties to Rentals United and list them on other channels, so you maximise your booking opportunities. While importing, you create new properties in Rentals United. You need to manually map them in Rentals United to the source properties in Airbnb. Then, you can manage your connections from one platform - Rentals United. See more details here.

Importing bookings

In case you worked with Airbnb and received bookings prior to connecting to Airbnb via Rentals United, it is possible to import them into Rentals United to ensure all information is in one place. See more here.

Old Property Settings

Old Property Settings are no longer supported and we recommend using new Property Settings exclusively. New Property Settings are a robust and safe solution that offers you the newest features to manage your connections. If you need instructions related to old Property Settings, see Connecting to Airbnb in old design.