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.
 

Online reservations news
Tips of the Month

Innkeeper Comments
How to load rates and availability

Online reservations news

BedandBreakfast.com is running a promotion for online reservation properties, through Oct. 31. Travelers book a two-night, midweek stay at an inn that participates in the BedandBreakfast.com Online Reservations program, and they get $50 off the cost of their stay. There is absolutely no extra cost to you for this extra marketing and exposure (and more mid-week guests!), so make sure you have inventory loaded to take advantage of this promotion!

The new year will be here before you know it, and travelers are already making plans for 2009. Remember to put more inventory in the system now before you get busy with holiday gift-buying, parties and guests. With this shaky economy, you don't want to miss out on any reservations! Make sure that travelers have the chance to book with you when they search for available accommodations. Don't forget that you can always load inventory for up to two years in advance.

Click here for step-by-step instructions for loading inventory, or have us do it for you! Contact 800-462-2632 extension 4 or Reservations@BedandBreakfast.com.

Tips of the Month
Put your best foot forward with excellent photography: Are the photos on your listing clear, large, well-lit and up-to-date? Please upload your high resolution images, and we will send them to Expedia and hotels.com. If guests tell you that your photos don't do your inn justice, you are missing out on guests every day. If you would like to get professional pictures taken and need a photographer, contact us. We have a list of recommended inn photographers.

Remember that Platinum members get 25 photos, Gold members get 15 photos, Silver members get 10 photos, and Bronze members get one.

Which room would you rather book?
 

Finish the year with a full house: Are you in a bit of a lull between the end of fall foliage and the holiday season? Take a few minutes to update your availability and enter inventory covering you through 2009. Thousands of availability searches are being made daily for dates throughout 2009, and guests are currently booking reservations through BedandBreakfast.com and our partner sites for every month of the coming year. Don’t miss out! By getting rates and inventory in the system now, you’ll be able to capture any early bookings.

How to increase 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 -- and since the additional nights are booked directly with us, they are commission-free!"

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.

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.