Step Up September!
The travel rush isn’t slowing down, and neither are we. This month’s update trims the clutter, powers up performance, and makes booking smoother than ever, so you spend less time tweaking tech and more time welcoming guests.
Channel Manager Updates
Booking Engine Updates
Channels
Channel Manager Update
1) V2 Extranet – Bulk Update
What’s new?
- Simplified Room Type Selection – Prevent unintentional restrictions on Base Rates with clearer selection logic.
- Base Rate Management – Expand a room type and directly select the Base Rate for changes, just like rate plans.
- New Tooltip Guidance – Highlight that Base Rate changes apply to the room type for better clarity.
- Quick Search – Easily find room rate plans by name with the new search functionality.
- One-Click Full Property Stop Sell – Apply or remove stop sell across all room and rate plan combinations in just a few clicks.
2) Max – Enhanced Rate Display
What’s New?
- Currency values in large denominations (e.g., IDR, INR) now include comma formatting.
- This improvement makes rates clearer, easier to read, and enhances the overall user experience.
3) Max – Bookings Calendar View: Booking Source Identification
What’s New:
The calendar view now features color-coded strips for quick source recognition.
- Red strip → Website bookings
- Purple strip → CRS bookings
This enhancement makes it easier to identify booking sources at a glance and improves calendar usability.
Booking Engine Update
1) SwiftBook – Member Rate
What’s New?
- Introduced Member Rate, an exclusive feature rewarding guests who book directly through your Booking Engine.
- Bookers gain access to special rates, plus updates on events, promotions, and activities.
Key Benefits
- Drive more direct bookings by offering exclusive member-only rates.
- Build customer loyalty with special pricing incentives.
- Gain better guest data for direct marketing and engagement.
- Strengthen your pricing strategy by offering private discounts without lowering public rates.
How to Configure
- Go to Max Extranet → Booking Engine → Hot Links.
- Navigate to Corporate Code → Member Rate.
- Promo name and code are pre-populated (non-editable).
- Select discount type and discount amount → Save.
Booking Engine Display
Once the Member Rate is fully set up and newsletter subscription is enabled, it will automatically display on the Booking Engine.
2) SwiftBook – Language Translation – Confirmation Page & Booking Email
What’s New?
- Guests selecting a preferred language in the Booking Engine will now see booking details in that language on:
- The confirmation page
- The email confirmation they receive
Property notifications will still be sent in the property’s default Booking Engine language for operational consistency.
3) SwiftBook – Wairua (Tile Style)
- A new Tile Style theme is being piloted with select properties.
- New Option: Customize the banner’s destination URL to direct visitors to a specific page of your choice.
- Current Behavior: By default, banner clicks redirect to the property’s website.
- Custom Routing (WIP): Setting a custom destination URL will override the default property website link.
5) SwiftBook – Billing Address
What’s New?
New functionality to fetch city and country data via API for smoother address entry.
Guests will have two options in the Booking Engine:
- Manual entry – enter billing address details directly.
- Automatic address finder – quickly populate details using the API-powered lookup.
6) SwiftBook – New Feature – Link Cancellation Policy with Payment Type
- Properties with multiple payment gateways can now link a specific payment gateway to a cancellation policy.
- When creating packages, the applied cancellation policy will automatically determine the applicable payment type/payment gateway.
- Guests will see all valid payment options based on the selected policy.
7) SwiftBook: Member Rate Improvements
Planned Features:
- Validity Settings: Configure time-based restrictions for member rates
- Package Integration: Link member rates to specific packages
- Rate Comparison: Member and published rates displayed side-by-side for easy customer comparison
Member Rate Booking Process:
Instead of the standard ‘Book’ button, member rates will display a ‘Sign Up’ button. When customers click ‘Sign Up’, a pop-up will prompt them to enter their email address to unlock the member pricing and proceed with their booking.
Display Format: Each qualifying deal will show twice – once at the published rate and once with the member discount applied for easy comparison.
*Note: Image shown is for illustration purposes only
8) SwiftBook – Price for Number of Nights
- The Booking Engine now displays the total cost along with the number of nights for greater pricing transparency.
- Guests can easily see how rates apply based on their stay length, helping them make informed booking decisions.
9) SwiftBook – Manage Booking
- Refreshed interface aligned with the SwiftBook Booking Engine design.
- Support for White Label URLs.
- New cancellation-only functionality for simplified workflows.
- Redesigned cancellation email notifications to match the look and feel of confirmation emails.
Channels
New Channels Integrations
TripGain
TripGain is India’s leading B2B travel platform, offering hotels, flights, and holiday packages to travel agents and corporates. With its easy-to-use booking system and wide inventory, TripGain enables businesses to simplify travel management while unlocking better rates and efficiency. Find out more on their website.
Flow
Flow is a digital platform that helps hotels, co-working spaces, and lifestyle businesses monetize unused inventory by offering pay-per-use stays and workspaces. Popular across Asia, Flow connects travelers and professionals with flexible, short-stay options while maximizing partners’ revenue opportunities. Find out more on their website.
AtticInn
AtticInn is a growing B2B hotel booking engine providing global hotel inventory to travel agents and distribution partners. With competitive rates and streamlined technology, AtticInn supports businesses in accessing a wide range of accommodations worldwide. Find out more on their website.
