Expedia direct integration FAQs

Integrations SetupMews Marketplace

This guide answers frequently asked questions about the Expedia direct integration:

 

 

General questions about the integration

When you migrate from a channel manager integration to an Expedia direct integration, you can reconnect all existing Expedia reservations to your direct integration. This processes modifications and cancellations automatically. To do so: 

  1. Create a company profile for all Expedia affiliates connected to your reservations, if not created yet. 

  1. From the company profile, under the tab Additional Information, pick the relevant Expedia source from the Channel drop-down menu. This connects all existing Expedia reservations to the direct Expedia integration. Note: To download all future reservations, make sure to enable the connection for the first time, as explained in Step 7 of this guide.

 

 

I can't solve my mapping issue(s) with the information in the notification email from Mews, what should I do now? 

If you cannot solve your mapping issue(s) by using the information in the notification email Mews sends you, or by following the guides in our Help Center, reach out to the support team. 

If you contact the support team about mapping issues, share the CSV file from Expedia with them. This guide from Expedia explains how you can download the CSV file. 

 

 

What information should I share with the support team at Mews if I have an issue with a modified reservation? 

The support team at Mews asks you to share the reservation ID if you have an issue with a modified reservation.  

This reservation appears as cancelled in the Expedia extranet and replaced with a new reservation. So, it is important that you share the reservation ID from the original reservation with the Mews Support team. If you share the new reservation ID for the modified reservation, the team cannot find the reservation.  

 

 

What's the difference between Expedia Collect and Hotel Collect in terms of rate mapping? 

In the integration’s rate settings, you have the option to tick Expedia Collect or Hotel Collect under Collect type. You need to tick one of the options for Mews to send price updates to the partner. If you select: 

  • Expedia Collect, then the system uses the exact same code as in the Rate Code field for updates. 

  • Hotel Collect, then the system adds the suffix “A” to the end of the Rate Code and sends it in updates. 

Therefore, you need to map only the Expedia Collect code under rate code in Mews. Expedia’s CSV file highlights the derived rate code, and the main code under the “Interface Rates” column. Only select the one identified as “Yes” and not “Derived”. The system still uses the unselected collect type for reservation delivery.  

 

Note: In case you only have one instance of a particular Expedia Rate Plan ID, where normally you see one code with the suffix “A” and one code without, select Expedia Collect and leave the rate unsynchronized in Mews. 

 

 

What details come through with reservations from Expedia?

The system adds additional fees, i.e., not including VAT and city tax, additional guest amount, promotional information, guest preferences and value adding promotions to the reservation notes. It also includes all amounts in the reservation total and not broken down in the billing. 

 

How can I map room types and rate plans using the CSV file? 

Expedia Partner Central is a tool designed to simplify the process of mapping room types and rate plans between Expedia and Mews Operations.

Note:

  • You need to map the active rates in all cases.
  • You need to still map inactive rates attached to past reservations, but you can leave these unsynchronized.

 

You need to refer to the following columns:

  • Rate plan status: Ensure you only map rates indicated as “Active”. 
  • Expedia Rate Plan ID: Rate plans ending with "A" are Hotel Collect rate plans. All others are Expedia Collect rate plans. The Expedia Rate Plan ID corresponds to the “Rate code” field in Mews. 
  • Rate Acquisition Type:
    • SELL: The rate prices sent to Expedia include Expedia’s commission share.
    • LAR: Expedia adds commission on top. If you need clarification, check with your Expedia support contact. 
  • Room Type name: Room name on Expedia’s side for mapping reference in Mews.  
  • Expedia Hotel ID: This refers to the specific account ID in the Partner Central extranet.  You need to add this under the Channel manager code in the integration.
  • Interface Rates: This shows if you need to map the rate plan for rate updates.
    • Yes: Complete the mapping by selecting the relevant Collect type, i.e. Hotel Collect for suffix A codes, Expedia Collect for numerical codes.
    • Derived: Do not select the associated collect type. If there is only one instance of this Expedia Rate Plan ID in the file marked Derived, select Expedia Collect and leave the rate unsynchronized in Mews.

 

Example: 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do I need to set up billing automations?  

Expedia charges the guest, and only sends over the reservation amount that the guest needs to pay the hotel, i.e., without the commission fee. 

Guests shouldn’t see the reservation amount on their confirmation email, during online check-in or kiosk check-in. If this fee is on the guests’ profile, the system prevents them from checking in online or through the kiosk because their bill is still open. 

To which channels can I connect through the Expedia direct integration?

When you connect your property to Expedia through the Expedia direct integration in Mews, your listings automatically appear on multiple channels. These channels include:

  • American Express International
  • American Express Travel
  • Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts
  • Amex The Hotel Collection
  • CheapTickets
  • ebookers
  • Egencia
  • Expedia
  • Hotels.com
  • Hotwire
  • Lastminute.au
  • MrJet
  • Orbitz
  • Travelocity
  • Wotif

Note:

  • You do not need to take additional steps in Mews or Expedia to enable these connections. Once you open an account with Expedia, your property automatically appears on all applicable channels. This is a requirement set by Expedia, not Mews.
  • The connection is two-way and follows the same standards as the Expedia direct integration.

 

Expedia Collect and fees

How do you calculate relative city tax for net of commission reservations? 

You can learn more about relative city calculation for Expedia Collect here. 

Do I need to report city tax to the authorities? 

Some legal environments require Expedia to report city tax and other fees directly to the authorities on behalf of the property. In those instances, you do not need to add city tax to Expedia Collect reservations.  

Note: You can get in touch with your Expedia contact to know whether this applies to you.  

 

  1. Add all Hotel Collect affiliate companies to your account. You can find the full list here. 

  1. Follow this guide to create product rules for city tax to be added to Hotel Collect bookings by selecting the relevant company/ travel agency.  

 

You need to account for city tax for all Expedia reservations, regardless of Collect type. 

 

 

You can learn more about setting up the Expedia direct integration in Mews here. 

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