Booking.com Connection Flow

Purpose

The Booking.com connection feature allows Operations to connect properties to Booking.com through Channex (a channel manager). This enables properties to receive bookings from Booking.com and manage their availability across multiple channels.

Prerequisites

Before connecting to Booking.com, the property must have:

  • Channex connection established (usually through Airbnb connection first)

  • Property already listed on Booking.com with an active account

  • Booking.com property ID (obtained from the Booking.com extranet)

User Flow (Operations)

1

Access Connection Request

  • Navigate to Property Requests section

  • Find property with Booking.com connection request

  • Click on the property to open details view

2

Check Prerequisites

  • System checks if property has Channex connection (property.channexId)

  • If no Channex connection exists:

    • Dialog appears explaining Airbnb connection is required first

    • Operations must connect to Airbnb to establish Channex

    • After Airbnb connection, return to Booking.com connection

3

Initiate Booking.com Connection

  • Click "Connect to Booking.com" button

  • Booking.com connection modal opens with guided steps

4

Follow Booking.com Setup Guide

The modal provides a step-by-step guide:

1

Introduction

Explains the process requires Booking.com extranet access.

2

Login to Booking.com

Direct link to admin.booking.com.

3

Copy Property Code

Instructions to copy property ID from navigation.

4

Navigate to Connectivity Provider

Account > Connectivity Provider.

5

Search for Provider

Search for "Channex" (must type full word).

6

Confirm Selection

Review summary and click "Next".

7

Agree to Terms

Accept XML Service Agreement.

8

Await Approval

Wait for Channex to accept the connection.

5

Enter Property ID

  • After completing Booking.com setup, enter the property ID

  • System validates the connection

  • Click "Connect Property" to finalize

  • System calls [[#POST /api/integrations/booking/connect]]

6

Connection Completion

  • System processes the connection

  • Sends confirmation email to landlord

  • Redirects to property's channels tab

  • Connection status updates to "Completed"

  • An API Call to [[#POST /api/integrations/booking/connect]] is initiated

7

Channel Mapping

  • After successfully connecting to Booking.com, the system performs an initial automatic mapping of rooms and rate plans.

  • Carefully review and finalize this mapping to ensure Booking.com rooms and rates align with those in Hububb.

  • Once the connection is complete, the user is redirected to the Channel Mapping screen to confirm or adjust mappings.

  • Next required action: click the "Load Future Reservations" button to pull upcoming reservations from Booking.com into Hububb.

The Load Future Reservations button must only be clicked after the room and rate plan mapping is fully verified and completed. Triggering this step too early can result in reservations being linked to the wrong room, incorrect rate plan, or no room at all, causing data inconsistencies that are difficult to fix later.

System Flow (Behind the Scenes)

Data Validation

  • Checks if property has existing Channex connection

  • Validates Booking.com property ID format

  • Ensures property is properly configured in Channex

Connection Process

  • API Call: [[#POST /api/integrations/booking/connect]]

    • Sends property ID, Booking.com hotel ID, and payment method

    • Creates connection between Channex and Booking.com

  • Email Notification:

    • Sends "bdc-listing-live" template email to landlord confirming successful connection

  • Data Updates:

    • Updates property's connection requests status to "Completed"

    • Creates new property channel record

    • Updates user subscription and invoice data

  • Navigation:

    • Redirects to property's channels tab

    • Opens channel settings if channel ID is available

Backend Flow (What Happens Behind the Scenes)

POST /api/integrations/booking/connect

When an Operations user initiates a Booking.com connection from the dashboard, several automated steps run in the background to make sure the connection is valid, the property is set up correctly in Channex, and everything is stored properly in Hububb’s system.

1. Property & Data Checks

  • Confirms that the property exists in the database and has rooms and rate plans set up. Booking.com requires at least one room and one rate plan.

  • If missing, the connection stops and an error is shown.

2. Connection Test with Booking.com

  • Hububb contacts Booking.com (via Channex) to test the connection using the hotel ID entered by the Operations user.

    • If the test fails, the process ends and the user is notified to double-check the property ID.

    • If the test succeeds, the process continues automatically.

3. Service Validation & Subscription

  • The system determines whether the Booking.com connection service is free or paid based on the landlord’s account.

  • If payment is required, the subscription is created at this stage. (For manual connections from Property Requests, no payment ID is usually passed, so this part is skipped.)

4. Mapping & Channel Creation in Channex

  • The system retrieves the property’s room and rate mapping details from Booking.com via Channex.

  • Hububb automatically builds a new Booking.com channel in Channex:

    • Linking Booking.com rooms and rates to the property in Channex

    • Assigning them to the correct property structure

    • Marking the channel as active

  • This pre-fills most data for the Channel Mapping screen.

5. Storing Channel in Hububb

  • A new Property Channel record is created linking the property to Booking.com.

  • The channel is marked as active.

  • Room and rate mappings are stored to keep track of the OTA’s structure.

  • Pending Booking.com connection requests are updated to “Completed” automatically.

6. Notifications

  • Landlord receives an automatic confirmation email letting them know their property is now live on Booking.com.

  • Operations user is redirected to the property’s Channels tab with the new Booking.com connection visible.

If any error occurs during the process (e.g., failed mapping, invalid property ID, or missing data), the system updates the request status to “Rejected” and stops the flow so the Operations user can correct the issue and try again.

Important Rules and Edge Cases

Prerequisites

  • Airbnb First Rule: If no Channex connection exists, must connect Airbnb first

  • Active Listing: Property must be live and active on Booking.com

  • Valid Account: Booking.com account must have proper permissions

Connection Requirements

  • Exact Search: Must type "Channex" exactly in Booking.com search

  • Property ID: Must be copied exactly from Booking.com extranet

  • Terms Acceptance: XML Service Agreement must be accepted

Error Scenarios

  • Missing Channex: System prompts to connect Airbnb first

  • Invalid Property ID: Connection fails with error message

  • Booking.com Setup Incomplete: Connection will fail until proper setup

Post-Connection

  • Email Confirmation: Landlord receives notification of successful connection

  • Channel Management: Connection can be managed in property's channels tab

  • URL Storage: Booking.com listing URL can be saved for reference

Success Indicators

  • Connection request status changes to "Completed"

  • Property channel shows as "Active"

  • Landlord receives confirmation email

  • Property appears in channels tab with Booking.com connection

  • Room mapping and rate plans are synchronized

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