What eight questions do hoteliers most frequently ask about TripConnect? Read on for clear answers to queries posed by your hospitality colleagues, as well as for related TripConnect resources:
What is TripConnect?
TripConnect is a Business Listings feature that allows independent hotels to bid to appear in the Hotel Price Comparison search on TripAdvisor. Through TripConnect, you can post your rates and availability alongside Online Travel Agents (OTAs) in high-visibility Hotel Price Comparison search results. If a traveler clicks on your link, they're sent straight to the online booking page of your property's own website – helping you convert them quickly and easily into direct bookings.
As a cost-per-click (CPC) solution, TripConnect requires hoteliers to place bids to appear in the Hotel Price Comparison results. This bid determines your placement within the results, and if a traveler clicks through to your website, you'll pay whatever price you've bid for that click.
Why am I competing with OTAs on my own property page?
The Hotel Price Comparison search section of your TripAdvisor property page has been designed to give travelers easy access to rate and availability information. TripConnect creates a level playing field within the Hotel Price Comparison search by allowing multiple booking options – including the hotel's own website – to compete fairly for the right to earn traveler clicks, without preference to any one business over another.
Will you tell me the CPC amount that OTAs are bidding for my property, or how many clicks they're receiving?
TripAdvisor respects your privacy and does not share your proprietary data with other organizations – including OTAs. Similarly, we respect the privacy of our OTA partners and do not share their data with hoteliers.
Is my internet booking engine a certified TripConnect Partner?
To see if your internet booking engine is TripConnect-certified, visit tripadvisor.com/ConnectPartners. If your internet booking engine is not certified, check with them to see if they are in the process of completing their certification. If not, tell them to sign up! They can get started at tripadvisor.com/InternetBookingEngine.
How can I track how many reservations I've received through TripConnect?
If your internet booking engine is a TripConnect Premium Partner, you can access revenue tracking services for your reservations via the TripConnect Campaign Management page. If you're not affiliated with a TripConnect Premium Partner, speak with your internet booking engine about the best way to track the TripConnect reservations you've received. You can track the clicks you've received through the Campaign Management page.
What happens when I reach my spending limit or budget cap?
You can use spending limits or budget caps to control your TripConnect costs. As soon as your campaign hits the limit you've specified, your TripConnect link will no longer be visible on the site. You'll receive an email notification a few days before your limit or budget is projected to be reached, but TripAdvisor cannot guarantee its delivery. While your TripConnect link may no longer appear, links to other bidders (like OTAs) will remain in your property's Hotel Price Comparison search results as long as their campaigns are active. As a result, we encourage hoteliers to actively monitor their TripConnect campaigns and make adjustments as necessary.
Can a person still click my property's TripConnect link if there's no availability?
When the "⊘" symbol is presented it means there is no availability at your property. If travelers click on this symbol, they will be directed to your booking page and you will be charged your bid rate. When the magnifying glass is presented, it means TripAdvisor hasn't been able to confirm availability for the dates searched. If travelers click on this symbol, they will also be directed to your booking page and you will be charged your bid rate. If your availability is not accurately reflected, please contact your internet booking engine.
Will I be invoiced for my TripConnect payments?
All invoicing is handled electronically through the TripConnect Campaign Management page. Your credit card will be charged every time you meet a preset spending threshold (this threshold varies by market and is specified in the sign up process) or every 30 days – whichever comes first. You will not receive invoices by mail, but you can access and print them through the Billing tab of the Campaign Management page.
Have more questions? Visit tripadvisor.com/TripConnectAccommodations for resources or tripadvisor.com/TripConnectFAQ for even more frequently asked questions.
Source: TripAdvisor
