Normally, the calendar is managed automatically by the API listing channel that the guest booked on. If you need to move dates, move property, or cancel/reactivate the booking, you should do that on the channel, and it'll be updated in OwnerRez.
There may be times when you need to change dates, move property, or cancel/reactivate a booking from an API-connected listing channel. Sometimes, that calendar is managed automatically by the listing channel where the guest made their booking. Therefore, any changes of this nature should be made directly on the listing channel platform.
However, sometimes, you want to update the calendar in OwnerRez, and it is possible to manually unlink a booking from the channel. The calendar unlinking process allows you to unlink Merchant of Record (MOR) listing channel calendars for Avanti Florida Villas, Glamping Hub, Got2Go, Hopper Homes, Houfy, LocalOTA, and Whimstay bookings.
OwnerRez only recommends this option as a last resort. Due to the consequences (rental agreements, possible guest disputes, etc.), unless the property is truly unavailable (due to repairs, or unforeseen issues, etc.), we recommend that the booking be moved directly on the listing channel platform originally booked.
Unlink Channel Calendar
"But what if I just want to update the calendar in OwnerRez?" In fact, you can...
For channels like Airbnb and Booking.com, where the booking has to be moved on the channel side (or canceled and start over), you do have the option to make changes only in OwnerRez. You can leave the booking just the way it is on the channel, unlink the OwnerRez booking from that calendar, and move the booking in OwnerRez.
To unlink the calendar, click the Move button to initiate the move process. You'll get a message that you can't move the booking because it's linked to the channel calendar. Click the "Unlink from channel" button, and the booking will be unlinked from the channel, which will open up the date and property selectors so you can move it on the OwnerRez calendar.
This is useful if, say, you want to move a booking across properties but don't want the guest to have to cancel. The booking will remain on the old property/dates for the original listing channel, but all other channels will see the original dates as available as they've been updated in OwnerRez.
All calendars on the new property will be properly blocked off, including with the original channel, which won't know it's really the same booking.
When you unlink a booking from one of those channels, OwnerRez will send you an "Unlinked Calendar Reminder" notification to remind you.
Implications
Since OwnerRez only recommends unlinking a channel calendar option as a last resort, please review the following considerations.
- While OwnerRez will still push the availability for the booking to all channels based on the changes you make in OwnerRez, once you switch to manual calendar mode, OwnerRez will not update the changed booking based on any updates from the channel.
- Problems may arise if you happen to get into a dispute with the guest since the channel won't know you switched properties on them and thus did not technically fulfill what you agreed to. So make sure the guest confirms this is what they want to do, preferably in writing.
- When you unlink a booking from the channel calendar, financial updates will remain linked (unless you separately switch those to manual mode). So charges, payments, etc., will continue to update for that booking via API connection or Channel Bridge even though the calendar side is unlinked.
- Most Rental Agreement templates include the dates of the booking, as Rental Agreements always include the most current data in OwnerRez at the moment they are signed. If you move a booking to different dates or property, the previously signed Rental Agreement may no longer be fully legally valid. After you've changed the booking, navigate to the Booking > Legal tab to Request an Updated Renter Agreement.
- Any Damage Protection policies issued for the booking are valid only for the original property booked. Moving a booking to another property may result in the original damage protection policy becoming null and void.