This article will demonstrate how to create a custom booking link that online guests can use to directly book group block reservations, access contracted corporate rates, etc.
Sales & Marketing staff can incorporate custom booking links into marketing campaigns and emails to encourage more direct, commission-free bookings using your eRes Booking Engine.
Table of Contents
- STEP #1 Find your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL
- STEP #2 Create a Custom Booking Link or use one of the following How-to methods:
- STEP #3 Add a Custom Booking Link to an Email
How to Find your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL
On your Hotel Website, click the "Book Now" or "Reservations" button to open your eRes Booking Engine
- In the New Reservation tab, Copy the full website address that appears in the address bar
- It will look similar to this: https://www.bookonthenet.net/.......3d#/search
-
Remove #/search from the end of the link
- It should now look like this: https://www.bookonthenet.net/.......3d
You are now ready to create a custom booking link!
How to Create a Custom Booking Link
This is a basic overview of the parameters that can be added to your eRes booking engine link/URL; for more detailed step-by-step information use the following:
After you remove the #/search from the end of the link it becomes something like the below example (each property has a unique URL):
The following options are available to add to the end of your eRes booking engine link (click to view more information):
Arrival Date:
You can add the arrival date by using the below parameter. **This must be used with the "number of nights" value below
- &arrival_date=
The arrival date must be in one of the following formats:
- yyyy-mm-dd = 2011-02-14
- mm/dd/yyyy = 02/14/2011
Number of Nights:
Number of nights requested is passed with the following parameter:
- &stay_nights=
Number of Guests:
If you want to allow the customer to add number of adults and children this will be added to your link:
- &adults= &children=
Promo Code/Group Code:
If you provide the option to enter a Promo Code then this will be added to your link. This parameter can also be used for group bookings where a group code is supplied.
- &promo_code=
Coupon Code:
If you provide the option to enter a Coupon Code then this will be added to your link.
- &coupon_code=
How to Create a Booking Link for a Group Block
The following steps demonstrate how to create a custom booking link that online guests can use to view available rooms and instantly book a room in the group block inventory.
In RoomKeyPMS, you must Create a Group Block and Allow Access via eRes first, before you create a custom booking link.
From RoomKeyPMS, you need the following information:
- Group Block Arrival Date in the format: YYYY-MM-DD
- Number of Nights in the Group Block
- Group Code
Add the following to the end of your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL:
&arrival_date=YYYY-MM-DD&stay_nights=#&promo_code=Group Code
For Example:
https://www.bookonthenet.net/.......3d&arrival_date=2024-05-04&stay_nights=1&promo_code=JJW2024
You can now add this custom booking link to an email and send it to a group coordinator or directly to attendees!
How to Create a Booking Link for a Corporate Rate
The following steps demonstrate how to create a custom booking link that online guests can use to view available rooms and instantly book a room with a contracted corporate rate.
In RoomKeyPMS, you must Create a Corporate Account and Use a Corporate Web Code for eRes first, before you create a custom booking link.
From RoomKeyPMS, you need the following information:
- Corporate Web Code
Add the following to the end of your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL:
&promo_code=Web Code
For Example:
You can now add this custom booking link to an email and send it to the company contact so they can book the contracted corporate rate directly online!
How to Create a Booking Link for Online Promotions
The following steps demonstrate how to create a custom booking link that online guests can use to view available rooms and instantly book an online promotion with a coupon code.
If your promotion does not require a coupon code, use the How to Create a Booking Link for Specific Dates method instead.
In RoomKeyPMS, you must Create an Online Promotion first, before you create a custom booking link.
From RoomKeyPMS, you need the following information:
- Online Promotion Coupon Code
- OPTIONAL: Online Promotion Date From
Add the following to the end of your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL:
coupon_code=Coupon Code
For Example:
You can now add this custom booking link to an email, publish it on your website or add it to marketing materials so guests can directly book this exclusive promotion online!
OPTIONAL:
If the promotion is only available for future arrival dates (within the Date From/To date range), add the following to the end of your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL:
&arrival_date=YYYY-MM-DD&stay_nights=#&coupon_code=Coupon Code
For Example:
https://www.bookonthenet.net/.......3d&arrival_date=2024-05-01&stay_nights=1&coupon_code=BOOK10
Cutoff Days affect the booking window and may prevent the online guest from booking a stay within the Date From/To date range specified in the option above.
How to Create a Booking Link for Specific Dates
The following steps demonstrate how to create a custom booking link that online guests can use to instantly book a reservation online for a specific date range.
This method can also be used to create a link for an online promotion without a coupon code; however you must Create an Online Promotion first, before you follow these steps to create a custom booking link.
You need the following information:
- Arrival Date in the format: YYYY-MM-DD
- Number of Nights
Add the following to the end of your eRes Booking Engine Link/URL:
&arrival_date=YYYY-MM-DD&stay_nights=#
For Example:
https://www.bookonthenet.net/.......3d&arrival_date=2024-12-31&stay_nights=1
You can now add this custom booking link to an email, publish it on your website or add it to marketing materials so guests can directly book online!
How to Add a Custom Booking Link to an Email
The following steps demonstrate how to use Insert Link/Hyperlink tool when you add your custom booking link to an email.
Create a new email and add your custom booking link text to the body of the email.
- With the custom booking link highlighted, right-click and select Insert Link/Hyperlink (or use Ctrl+K).
- Add your message to the Display as field (or Text to display field)
- Add your custom booking link to the Web address (URL) field (or Address field)
Click the OK button to save the changes.
REMINDER: Test this link before you send it.