> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bedmerge.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels

> Connect and manage your distribution channels

## Overview

The Channels page is where you connect, configure, and manage all your distribution channels. Connect to Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, Agoda, Google Hotel Ads, and set up your direct booking engine.

## Connected Channels

View all your active channels:

* **Channel Name**: Booking.com, Airbnb, etc.
* **Status**: Active, inactive, or syncing
* **Bookings**: Total reservations from channel
* **Revenue**: Total income from channel
* **Last Sync**: When rates/availability last updated
* **Actions**: Edit, activate, deactivate

## Adding a New Channel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Channel">
    Navigate to **Rates** > **Channels** > **Add Channel**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Channel Type">
    Choose from available OTAs:

    * Booking.com
    * Airbnb
    * Expedia
    * Agoda
    * Google Hotel Ads
    * Instant Booking Page (Direct)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Connection">
    Follow channel-specific setup:

    * Enter credentials
    * Map rooms and rates
    * Test connection
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate">
    Enable the channel to start syncing
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Available Channels

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Booking.com" icon="bed" href="/channels/booking-com">
    **Commission**: 15-18%

    World's largest accommodation platform. Best for international travelers.

    [Setup Guide →](/channels/booking-com)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Airbnb" icon="airbnb" href="/channels/airbnb">
    **Commission**: 15%

    Leading vacation rental marketplace. Best for leisure and extended stays.

    [Setup Guide →](/channels/airbnb)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Expedia Group" icon="plane-departure" href="/channels/expedia">
    **Commission**: 18-25%

    Includes Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Vrbo. Best for US market.

    [Setup Guide →](/channels/expedia)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agoda" icon="hotel" href="/channels/agoda">
    **Commission**: 15-25%

    Leading in Asia-Pacific. Best for Asian travelers.

    [Setup Guide →](/channels/agoda)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Hotel Ads" icon="google" href="/channels/google-hotel-ads">
    **Commission**: 0% (pay-per-click)

    Reach travelers on Google Search and Maps.

    [Setup Guide →](/channels/google-hotel-ads)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Direct Bookings" icon="cart-shopping" href="/channels/instant-booking-page">
    **Commission**: 0%

    Your own booking engine. Highest profit margin.

    [Setup Guide →](/channels/instant-booking-page)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Channel Management

### Edit Channel Settings

Click any channel to:

* **View Mapping**: See room and rate connections
* **Update Credentials**: Change API keys or login
* **Adjust Settings**: Channel-specific configuration
* **Review Sync Log**: See recent updates
* **Test Connection**: Verify channel is working

### Activate/Deactivate

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Activate Channel" icon="toggle-on">
    Enables:

    * Rate synchronization
    * Availability updates
    * Booking imports
    * Two-way communication
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Deactivate Channel" icon="toggle-off">
    Stops:

    * New bookings
    * Rate updates
    * Availability sync

    <Warning>Existing bookings remain active</Warning>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Channel Performance

Track each channel's contribution:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Booking Count" icon="hashtag">
    Total reservations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Revenue" icon="sterling-sign">
    Gross income
  </Card>

  <Card title="Commission" icon="percent">
    Fees paid
  </Card>

  <Card title="Net Revenue" icon="coins">
    After commissions
  </Card>

  <Card title="ADR" icon="chart-simple">
    Average Daily Rate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conversion" icon="percentage">
    Views to bookings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Sync Status

Monitor channel synchronization:

* **Last Synced**: Timestamp of last update
* **Status**:
  * ✅ **Synced**: Up to date
  * ⏳ **Syncing**: Update in progress
  * ⚠️ **Warning**: Minor issues
  * ❌ **Error**: Sync failed
* **Next Sync**: When next update is scheduled

### Sync Logs

View recent synchronization activity:

* **Rate Updates**: Price changes pushed
* **Availability Changes**: Inventory updates
* **Booking Imports**: Reservations received
* **Errors**: Failed syncs with details

## Channel-Specific Settings

### Booking.com

* **Derived Rates**: Enable/disable derived rate handling
* **Primary Rate**: Which occupancy sends restrictions
* **Genius Program**: Enable Genius rates
* **Pull Reservations**: Import existing future bookings

### Airbnb

* **Min Stay Type**: Arrival vs Through
* **Price Per Extra Guest**: Set incremental fee
* **Instant Book**: Enable instant booking
* **Professional Photos**: Upload high-quality images

### Expedia

* **Payment Model**: Expedia Collect vs Hotel Collect
* **Rate Plans**: Map multiple rate types
* **Expedia Rewards**: Enable loyalty program rates

### Agoda

* **Multi-Occupancy**: Configure per-person pricing
* **YCS Settings**: Link to YCS configuration

### Google Hotel Ads

* **Landing Page**: Set booking page URL
* **CPC Bid**: Set cost-per-click maximum
* **Daily Budget**: Control ad spend
* **Tracking**: UTM parameters for analytics

### Instant Booking Page

* **Branding**: Logo, colors, custom domain
* **Payment**: Stripe configuration
* **Policies**: Cancellation, terms, privacy
* **Email Templates**: Confirmation messages

## Rate Parity Management

Ensure compliant pricing across channels:

<Card title="Rate Parity Check" icon="scale-balanced">
  Most OTA contracts require rate parity - same rates across all channels (except direct bookings which can be lower).
</Card>

### Parity Exceptions

* **Direct Bookings**: Can be 5-10% lower (no commission to cover)
* **Member Rates**: Loyalty program discounts allowed
* **Package Rates**: Bundled services not compared
* **Length of Stay**: Weekly/monthly discounts exempt

## Best Practices

<Card title="Diversify Channels" icon="chart-pie">
  Don't rely on one channel. Aim for: 30% Booking.com, 25% Airbnb, 20% Expedia, 15% Direct, 10% Others.
</Card>

<Card title="Monitor Daily" icon="eye">
  Check sync status daily to catch and resolve errors quickly.
</Card>

<Card title="Promote Direct" icon="bullseye">
  Direct bookings are most profitable. Promote your Instant Booking Page actively.
</Card>

<Card title="Test Regularly" icon="vial">
  Make test bookings on each channel quarterly to verify the full flow works.
</Card>

<Card title="Update Credentials" icon="key">
  When you change passwords or API keys, update immediately in Bedmerge.
</Card>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Sync Errors" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    **Common causes**:

    * Expired credentials
    * Unmapped rooms or rates
    * Channel API downtime
    * Rate parity violations

    **Solutions**:

    * Check sync log for specific error
    * Verify credentials are current
    * Review channel mapping
    * Contact channel support if needed
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Booking Not Imported" icon="download-slash">
    **Symptoms**: Reservation doesn't appear in Bookings

    **Solutions**:

    * Verify channel is active
    * Check room/rate mapping
    * Review booking import log
    * Check if booking was cancelled immediately
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rate Not Updating" icon="sync-slash">
    **Symptoms**: Rate changes don't appear on channel

    **Solutions**:

    * Verify channel is active (not paused)
    * Check date is within channel's booking window
    * Review sync log for errors
    * Test connection to channel
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Channel Setup Guides

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Booking.com" icon="bed" href="/channels/booking-com">
    Full setup guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Airbnb" icon="airbnb" href="/channels/airbnb">
    OAuth connection
  </Card>

  <Card title="Expedia" icon="plane-departure" href="/channels/expedia">
    Expedia Group
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agoda" icon="hotel" href="/channels/agoda">
    YCS setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Ads" icon="google" href="/channels/google-hotel-ads">
    CPC campaigns
  </Card>

  <Card title="Direct" icon="cart-shopping" href="/channels/instant-booking-page">
    Booking engine
  </Card>
</CardGroup>