How to Interface (Connect) Hotwire's Contract Rate Program and your BookingCenter Software System
Below are very specific steps you need to follow to assure your successful enrollment in the XML Interface in between Hotwire and BookingCenter. Please note BookingCenter is available to assist, but all steps are completed initially between your property and Hotwire.
Please keep in mind that your XML interface set-up between Hotwire and BookingCenter is NOT completed until you finish Part 2. At this time you have only signed a contract with Hotwire, but you have not set-up the Agent(s) in your BookingCenter software. Until that is completed, the Hotwire interface is NOT operational.
NOTE: If you are an existing Hotwire extranet property, it is VERY important that you continue to manage the Hotwire extranet manually until you hear that the BookingCenter interface has been completed. At that time, all new Hotwire bookings will pull the rates and availability from BookingCenter. However, the bookings made in the extranet before the connection is completed will not download into your BookingCenter software and will continue to be handled through the extranet.
An XML interface can take two-four weeks to set-up and reach completion. The faster you follow these steps accurately, the faster your connection will be confirmed.
Once you see this update on your Support Ticket, please click on the following links for Part 2 enrollment directions depending on your BookingCenter software product:
To Review Part 1, please visit: https://support.bookingcenter.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/386
1.) When Hotwire confirms the initial enrollment, BookingCenter will receive a list of Hotwire Room Descriptions to map (match) with your existing BookingCenter Room Type IDs. This email triggers the set-up of the Hotwire agent(s) within your Desktop PMS software.
2.) Please map the rooms on your Support Ticket at your earliest convenience. We can do nothing until that is completed.
3.) Please click 'Update Internet', as this HW1 agent will download to your 'Agents' area. If you do not see Hotwire agents, please update your Support Ticket with this information.
4.) Please be sure to allocate whatever availability and rates you wish to this HW1 agent (click Agents -> then go to the HW1).
As agreed for this Contract Rate Program, you must negatively net load the Priceline agents inside your Agent Relationships.
-We recommend your rack rate to be discounts 20%-30%. This is done by entering "-20" in the Net Loading column of your Agent.
-If you opt for a flat rate discount option (and not a percentage), you must create a new rate plan and allocate this new rate plan to the HW1 agent. However, Hotwire does not prefer this method.
c.) Update the support ticket when this step has been completed.
5.) Once completed, please do a full upload.
6.) Meanwhile, we will be obtaining the mapping information from Hotwire for the Room Descriptions you wish to offer to Hotwire. If there are any mapping issues that we need you to tend to, we will update your support ticket with the necessary action plans. Please respond to those at your earliest convenience.
7.) If there are no mapping issues, we will receive an enrollment confirmation from Hotwire. Please update your Support Ticket with this information.
8.) At this time we will consider the Support Ticket closed and the task fulfilled.
The whole process of certifying the XML connection to Hotwire normally takes one to two weeks.