Overview

The RMS Channel Manager integrates seamlessly with a variety of Online Travel Agents (OTAs), Booking Engines, Distributors, and Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

Mapping a Category and Rate combination determines the prices and inventory availability provided to the connected channel.

There are two mapping methods used in the RMS Channel Manager, depending on the selected channel connection.

For properties set up to use an Alternate Currency, the currency of the Rate Types provided to the channel can be selected.

The 'Use Source Travel Agent' option is available for Distributors and third-party connections, allowing the origin of the reservation to be listed as the Travel Agent rather than the channel connection.

Each channel connection determines the type of information accepted, including availability, rate, and control panel restrictions.

The following types of channel connections are supported by the RMS Channel Manager:

Guide

Contact the Channel Provider and advise of the Property's intention to connect.

In the side menu of RMS, go to Setup > Online Bookings > Channel Management.

1. Select the View as 'Unconnected'.
2. Select a Channel and choose 'Connect'.
3. Navigate to the 'Connection Information' tab.
   
    
4. Enter the 'Connection Information' provided by the Channel.
   • Connection information may differ depending on the Online Travel Agent’s requirements. Use the details supplied by the specific channel.
5. Select the 'Availability, Rates & Inventory' options.
6. Select the 'Reservation Settings' (Optional).
   Reservation Settings include: 
   • Colour
   • Market Segment
   • Booking Source
   • 'Use Source Travel Agent'
   • 'Hide from Guest Portal'
7. Enter the Travel Agent Information or set up a Channel Agent Commission (Optional).
   
    

Method One: Connect to Retrieve Categories 

1. Select 'Connect to Retrieve Categories'.
   
    
2. Select the RMS Category and Rate Type for each combination.
   Note: Selecting 'No Update' will result in no rates or availability for the room\rate combination sending to the OTA\Channel Manager.
   
    

Method Two: Manually Add Category/Rate Types

1. Select 'Add Category/Rate Types'.
   
    
2. Enter ALL the Channel Category & Rate Type combinations as provided by the OTA\Channel Manager.
3. Select 'Save/Exit'.
    
4. Select the RMS Category and Rate Type for each combination.
   Note: Selecting 'No Update' will result in no rates or availability for the room/rate combination sending to the OTA/Channel Manager.
5. Select 'Save/Exit'.
   

Channel Agent Commission

Each connected channel can have its own commission set up directly against the channel, so commission is calculated automatically on every reservation that arrives from that channel. This is configured in the Travel Agent Information section on the Connection Information page after the channel is connected.

For full setup steps, including how to choose between Property Collect and Agent Collect, the commission Type options, and per-Rate-Type configuration, see Channel Agent Commission Setup on a Channel Management Connection.

Tax Settings

For properties configured as tax-exclusive, additional tax options may appear as columns in the Channel Mapping grid for certain OTA connections. These settings control whether tax is included in rates sent to the OTA and how incoming bookings are processed in RMS.

The two available options are Inc Tax and Reverse Calculate Taxes on Total Rate. For full details on how each option works, see Tax Settings in Channel Mapping.

Channel Updates

When accessing the Channel Management Setup, the system displays the most recently saved mapping data rather than real-time data. This approach reduces loading times, as processing a large number of mappings can take some time.

To update or change the mapping:

1. Select "Refresh" to retrieve the most up-to-date information. 
   Note: If you have a large number of Mappings, it may take a moment for the mappings to be retrieved.
   
    

Make any required Updates and "Save" (A) when completed.

Disable Rate Updates (Sabre SynXis HTNG, Hoseasons OneConnect & AxisRooms)

A separate Disable Rate Updates checkbox is available on the mapping screen for Sabre SynXis HTNG, Hoseasons (OneConnect) (including Awaze brands such as Hoseasons and cove) and AxisRooms. Ticking this option for a mapped room/rate stops RMS from sending rate updates for that combination, while availability, restrictions and reservation delivery continue to work normally.

Use Disable Rate Updates when pricing is managed outside RMS, for example:

• Sabre SynXis derived rates that cannot accept rate updates from a third party.
• Hoseasons properties whose pricing is maintained directly in Hoseasons.
• AxisRooms mappings where rates are controlled on the channel side.

Invalid Mapping

When a rate has expired or is out of date, the Mapping screen will display the Rate Name with the label "Invalid" (2) in front of it. This helps you quickly identify rates that need attention.

You can take one of the following actions:

• Extend the rate so it is no longer expired.
• Mark the expired rate as Inactive if it’s no longer needed.

Searching for the word "Invalid" in the Room/Rate Mapping section (3) will help you to easily find all expired rates.

Related Articles

• Tax Settings in Channel Mapping
• Channel Agent Commission Setup on a Channel Management Connection
• OTA Commission with a NET Multiplier
• Travel Agent Commission