How does booking.com know how many rooms in a hotel are free?
I hope this is not a duplicate. I'm wondering how in the world they know how many rooms are free at any point in time. I know for almost sure that not all hotels are giving them access to their databases.
Best Answer
TL/DR: Almost all hotel management software packages provide channel partner (booing.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, etc.) integration (inventory, pricing, booking, etc.) out of the box.
Booking.com, and any other booking agent really, can receive inventory data directly from the reservation system or aggregator through a number of proprietary or common standards.
The feed is enabled through property management system the hotel uses. There are many of these products on the market from big names such as Oracle or smaller vendors focusing on smaller properties. Even the smallest properties only need an Internet connection to use a web based solution.
All of these offer connections to channel partners as part of the product so the hotelier doesn't really have to to anything. While it's technically not 'database access' partners are able to query the data of any participating property.
Keep in mind, hotel inventory doen't change that fast. When you see "Booked 10 times today!" that means 10 times over the next ~300 days for their entire inventory. So, this inventory isn't updated real-time, just regularly.
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Do hotels know if you have more guests?
In some cases, a hotel may be charging based on how many guests are occupying a room. But in other cases, a hotel may request that information so that they can ensure they are complying with the fire code, or so that in the event of an emergency they will know how many guests should be accounted for.Why are rooms cheaper on booking com?
Re: Why cheaper through booking.com than hotel? It is because they block book many more rooms for the hotel and get a discount off them for doing so.What is the commission of booking com?
Commission based platform These percentages vary from anywhere between 10% and 20% depending on the location of your property. The hotel base fee also stands at 15%, and this can also rise to a 18% commission charge, if the host prefers to use the member service that Booking.com recommend.Are there hidden fees with booking com?
Joining Payments by Booking.com has no set-up fees or additional commission. We only charge a small fee for the bookings you receive from us, depending on the payout method you select \u2013 virtual credit card or bank transfer. Payments by Booking.com also offers you more security.How to Book a Hotel Room on Booking.com
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