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July/August 2008

Online Reservations

Online reservations continue to increase in importance as more and more consumers demand real-time, instant reservations. This page will keep you up to date on industry trends and online reservation news; if you'd like us to address a particular topic, don’t hesitate to contact us.
 

Tips of the Month
Online reservations $50 vacation bonus

Innkeeper Comments
How to load rates and availability

Tip of the Month

How to get more extended reservations:
One innkeeper told us this:
"We handle and respond to every reservation personally, even if it's made online. Every reservation is provided with a sample four-day itinerary of activities and sites in the area. This alone has added another night or two to many reservations."

Be sure your future guests know that there is so much to do in your area, a one-night stay is not long enough!

If you have questions or would like a free online reservations consultation, contact Online Reservations Support at 800-GO-B-AND-B (800-462-2632), extension 4; 512-322-2700, extension 4 or Reservations@BedandBreakfast.com.

Online reservations $50 vacation bonus
BedandBreakfast.com's vacation bonus gives $50 to any traveler who books a two-night stay through the Online Reservations program on BedandBreakfast.com.

The promotion is featured prominently throughout the site. Best of all, there's no extra cost or work for you! We process the rebate and mail the checks (after check-out); you benefit with more two-night reservations! We take care of all details of the $50 rebate; you don't have to do a thing but add inventory to benefit from this promotion.

Please make sure you have lots of inventory loaded through the end of 2008. The promotion is valid on reservations made through September 1, 2008; travel must be completed by December 31, 2008.

Innkeeper comments
"When we surveyed our guests asking which enhancements to our website would be the most appreciated, real-time reservations was the No. 1 request. In response, we have changed from RezOvation Desktop and a lag-time availability calendar to RezOvation GT and BedandBreakfast.com Online Reservations. We had great support from the Rezo team converting our system and are happy to be able to meet the desires of our guests!" -- Amy & Dan, Ho’oilo House

"I am very pleased with BedandBreakfast.com Online Reservations and used it frequently, especially in the summer months. It makes for a seamless booking system and saves valuable time on the telephone." -- Suzan Bazon, Bluecrest Bed and Breakfast, Niagara Falls, ON

If you'd like to start getting more exposure via Expedia and hotels.com, sign up today for BedandBreakfast.com Online Reservations! Getting set up is quick and easy, and you'll receive a one-on-one training session to learn the program.



Are you a part of the program but are not getting the exposure you had hoped for? Make sure you have availability loaded into the system.

How to load rates and availability

Adding more rates and room availability is easy! Just take five minutes to log in and enter your rates and inventory into the Online Reservations Manager by following these simple steps:

  1. Log into your Home Base, then click the green Online Reservations Manager button.

  2. Scroll over the Rates/Availability tab and from the dropdown menu, click the room type you want to add to.

  3. Click on the Add/Edit Range button; always click Set New, even if you're entering the same rate you previously had. Make sure that when you're entering your rate, you click on the blue calculator button to enter it. This will calculate your Net Rate for you.

  4. Availability: Always click Set New here as well, even if you're entering the same number as before. Please enter the number of rooms of this type that are available. Set any min/max stays you may have, and choose a date range for the change. If you only want to enter these rates for the weekdays, make sure to uncheck the weekends, and vice versa.

  5. Last, click on the Save Changes button; then remember to blackout any dates that are currently booked to avoid any potential double bookings.


It's that easy! If you have any questions or need assistance loading more inventory, please let us know. We are happy to help you load more room inventory right over the phone. Call us Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST at 800-462-2632 extension 4.


Questions? Please send them to Reservations@BedandBreakfast.com.
 

 

This Month's Sponsor

Reviews = Reservations

No doubt about it: travelers want reviews, and they are more likely to stay somewhere that has reviews posted. The BedandBreakfast.com reviews program was developed specifically for B&Bs. An easy way to get more reviews on your listing is to add a badge, like the one below, to your website. Log in to your Home Base. Click Reviews, then click Links, Awards and Review Reminders to download the badge and other helpful review tools.


 

Summer Travel Survey Results

In late June 2008, BedandBreakfast.com polled more than 5,200 U.S. innkeepers about advanced bookings for the July 4th weekend. The 1,346 respondents reported that July 4th weekend reservations are even with or have increased over last year at more than 70 percent of B&Bs. Read more.

Online Trade Show

Visit our newest vendor members!


 Click here to view our Online Trade Show. Are you a vendor? Click here to get featured!

Gift Card Reseller Program

Could you use some extra cash? Sign up for the gift card reseller program, and make 15% on each sale! There is no cost to get started; click here for details. If you'd like to receive a free reseller kit, contact us at 800-462-2632 or Support@BedandBreakfast.com.


            

"As much as I would like to sell gift certificates that are exclusively for my inn, I realize that we are not the perfect gift for everybody. This year, I gave everyone who enquired about a gift certificate an option of a GC to be used exclusively with me or good at any B&B in the BedandBreakfast.com membership. Many liked the idea of having choices, and I sold them the BedandBreakfast.com gift card. I got the commission up front, and I don’t have to worry about the liability. I also get most of the face value back should the gift card be used at my inn. The process was quick and easy. I am very happy with the results and will continue to offer BedandBreakfast.com cards as an option." Mike Venturini, Munro House B&B Spa, Jonesville, MI

Referral Program

What’s better than three month’s free membership? How about six months? Or a whole year? Refer fellow innkeepers to BedandBreakfast.com, and if they join at the Silver level or above, your membership will be extended by three months for each B&B that signs up. If four B&Bs sign up, your membership is free for a year!  For details, log in to your Home Base and click Referral Program under Free Member Benefits, or call 800-GO-B-AND-B (800-462-2632).
 

Advertising Auctions

Featured Property and Inn of the Month auctions are easy, affordable and effective ways to drive traffic to your website.

Member Information

To update your entry, check your traffic statistics, and renew your membership, please log in with your property ID and password. Don't like your password? Once you're logged in, click "Membership," select "Change Password," and choose another that's easier to remember. More information

"I am happy to report that we have had several enquiries from your site, including one guest who is staying for five nights, so our membership cost has been covered. Thanks for your help!" Caitlin Adair, Sanctuary, Putney, VT

Inns for Sale

Innkeepers' Info Center

Need more info? You’ll find lots of educational articles on our site for your convenience.


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