Airbnb Channel Transaction Sync is now available (as an opt-in and completely optional) for those users who are API-integrated. Once enabled, Airbnb Transaction Sync replaces the need for Channel Bridge for Airbnb transactions (e.g., payments, refunds) for future bookings! You will need to run Channel Bridge (as needed) in preparation for enabling this feature. Once you enable it, it can't be turned off, and you can no longer import Channel Bridge files for updating Airbnb booking/transaction information.
Starting February 15, 2024, all new Airbnb API connections will automatically have the Airbnb Transaction Sync enabled by default and have their Transaction Sync date set to January 1, 2023.
Users should note that even after the Airbnb Transaction Sync is enabled, Airbnb continues to be the payment processor and controls all Airbnb transactions.
Users will find this new functionality to be an invaluable tool for up-to-date Airbnb financial record keeping. In short, booking transactions are now auto-created after the booking comes in. When Airbnb notifies OwnerRez when funds will be released, a Deposit record will also be created under Tools > Deposits. Airbnb Transaction Sync-enabled users can also run the Bulk Recalculate Charges Tool to recalculate current Airbnb booking charges, surcharges, taxes, and Value Added Tax (VAT) if applicable.
For now, enabling Airbnb Transaction Sync is completely optional for current OwnerRez users. If users prefer to bring in Airbnb transactions via Channel Bridge, that's fine. Additionally, users may choose not to enable Airbnb Transactions or run Channel Bridge either.
While any Airbnb Resolution Requests take place on the Airbnb Resolution Center platform only, enabling the Airbnb Transaction Sync may prove beneficial as any updated payments/refunds transactions will sync to OwnerRez as they occur.
Airbnb Resolution Center Transactions may result in the payment properly being recorded in OwnerRez under the booking transaction but without any corresponding charge entered. This leaves the possibility of the booking transactions displaying a guest overpayment.
OwnerRez recommends the following.
- Regularly check your booking transactions, especially bookings with an apparent guest overpayment.
- If a guest overpayment is found, users need to manually correct the overpayment by entering the appropriate charge.
- Preparing to Enable Airbnb Transaction Sync
- Enable Airbnb Transaction Sync
- Transactions
- Deposits
- FAQs
Preparing to Enable Airbnb Transaction Sync
NOTE: Prior to enabling the Airbnb Transaction Sync, OwnerRez users should run Channel Bridge to import all booking transaction info up to the Transaction Sync turn-on date you select during turn-on/opt-in. Channel Bridge can still be run for booking data and reviews; it just won't update booking financials after Transaction Sync is enabled.
Enable Airbnb Transaction Sync
Users should have all Airbnb surcharges set and up to date in OwnerRez prior to enabling the Airbnb Transaction Sync because it will not be possible to re-map unknown charges from Airbnb with any new surcharges created in OwnerRez. This is primarily a concern for new accounts, but can also matter if you've added a surcharge in Airbnb, and not in OwnerRez.
Users can initiate the sync of Airbnb transactions for all new, and future bookings by navigating to Settings > API Integrations.
Select Airbnb.
Click on Enable Transaction Sync.
- The Transaction Sync modal that appears has an important message for users. The Channel Bridge process must be completed and all files imported up to the date selected in the Date to Start Syncing in Transactions date picker. If you have not yet completed the Channel Bridge process, select No, I'm not ready yet.
- If you have already completed the Channel Bridge process, select the Date to Start Syncing in Transactions from the date picker and click on Yes, enable Transaction Sync now.
If successful, users will see a small green popup in the upper right of the screen.
Users can see the Transaction Sync date now enabled in their Airbnb Channel settings.
NOTE: you can't go back and change the date or turn off transaction sync. The Enable button is no longer available.
Transactions
After a booking is confirmed and is in OwnerRez, transaction sync will occur within a day or so of the new booking's creation in OwnerRez. The total owed should also update to reflect that $0 is owed by the guest based on the payment(s) they will make to Airbnb.
OwnerRez automatically imports various Airbnb host fees (e.g., Reservation host fees, Landlord Commission host fees, Co-host Adjustment fees, Cancellation fees (penalty), and Tax withholding fees, etc.) to individual Bookings > Transactions as part of the Airbnb Transaction Sync, enabling our users to account for these different host fees or bill them to an owner.
More info and screenshots coming soon...
Airbnb Resolution Center Transactions may result in the payment properly being recorded in OwnerRez under the booking transaction but without any corresponding charge entered. This leaves the possibility of the booking transactions displaying a guest overpayment.
OwnerRez recommends the following.
- Regularly check your booking transactions, especially bookings with an apparent guest overpayment.
- If a guest overpayment is found, users need to manually correct the overpayment by entering the appropriate charge.
Deposits
Deposits (Tools > Deposits) will be auto-created when Airbnb releases funds to your bank account, usually 24 hours after the guest has checked in. Projected deposit dates can be seen by hovering over the info icon on the transaction.
More info and screenshots coming soon...
FAQs
Where did my Airbnb Host Fee go?
The host fee is no longer created when the booking is created. It is instead created and displayed in the individual Transactions during the sync process. The same fee is now called "Airbnb Reservation host fee"
My Airbnb Resolution Center payments no longer show up in my booking charges. Where did they go?
The Airbnb Transaction Sync is syncing any Airbnb Resolution Center resolution payments to the specific Booking > Transactions screen.