Linked Calendars Stop Syncing (within airbnb app)

[Amy3639]

We have 2 listings on the same property (detached).  Guests can book one or both together.

I have had an issue where although I have gone through the steps to link them on the app, they somehow become unlinked.  Fortunately, I have only one guest that was able to book one unit though both were rented at that time.  

Customer service did me the "favor" of forgiving the cancellation fee - it was over 6 months out - so I thought that stunk, but I keep checking it almost daily and sometimes it is still synced and sometimes it is not.  

Any help would be so appreciated!

[Joan2709]

@Amy3639 

Difficult to diagnose without being able to see each calendar sync settings.

Sounds like you have a 

Child Listing A - Garage Apt

Child Listing B - Just Main House

Parent Listing C - Main House & Garage Apartment

Can you confirm that? Also screen shots of each listing's calendar sync/link  page identifying each listing would help.  As far as I know, it is not possible to link one listing's calendar more than once. 

Keep in mind that only reservations will block the listings (if linked correctly). If you want to manually block the property for maintenance or personal use, you must block ALL 3 listings manually.

You can also turn off Instant Book until you get this resolved. 

[Amy3639]

Hi, yes, essentially.  We have a main home and garage apartment.  Parent listing is for the 2 together with the garage apartment and main house able to be rented separately if the main listing isn't booked. 

At this point, it looks like we are mostly getting the main listing (2 houses) rented together in the new year.

I checked again today and it unsynced again.  I am not blocking at all for personal use.

It says I don't have permission to upload images, so not sure how to show you what I see.

When it's working properly it shows the 3 options.  When it is not, it's as if I never did it at all.

Could it be that when I change things like minimum nights on one listing it disconnects them if they don't have the same minimum night requirement?

[Joan2709]

@Amy3639 

Ok...haven't done this in awhile, but here is how it should work (I think). Got this from another Host who is very experienced with multiple listings:

"It is not possible to link one listing more than once. It should be A linked to B, and then A to C and B to C, so they are all connected."

Apartment (Child A)  – Link to Child B

Main Home (Child B)  – Link to Parent C

Both Home & Apartment (Parent C) – Link to Child A

Let us know if that works...

[Amy3639]

So, is that different than what they have allowed me to do, which is "choose the main listing that will contain the other listings"?  

So first I checked the listing which contains both spaces as the main listing.  Then I checked the boxes for the 2 individual listings.  That works for blocking reserved dates - it's just that it keeps coming undone somehow.

[Joan2709]

@Amy3639 

I would need to see screenshots of the linking pages on the 3 calendars to know.

Can one of the moderators give @Amy3639 the ability to post images?

@Rebecca 

@Bhumika 

Also, are you using a channel manager or dynamic pricing software like PriceLabs?

Do all 3 listings use the exact same address? (no unit numbers)

Are you using Professional Hosting Tools?

Address or Unit Inconsistencies

Even tiny differences can cause unlinking:

• “Unit A” vs “Apt A”
• Zip+4 on one listing and not the others

I suggest you leave the property that gets booked the most on Instant Book and put the other 2 on Request to book until you can figure out what is going on.

I would contact Airbnb and say:

I have overlapping spaces that require a permanent parent–child Linked Listings configuration. The system keeps unlinking automatically. Please lock the linked listing relationship at the backend level and confirm no external availability syncs are overriding it.

[Amy3639]

Thank you so so much.  Hopefully I can get permissions to share photos with you!

I am not using any external software.  

I will send that message to airbnb and check zip. 

They all share the same address.

I am using professional tools.

And I will definitely do the instant book v. request to book options. 

I appreciate your help! 

[Joan2709]

@Amy3639 

I am reading that Rule Sets (if using) should only be applied to the Parent. 

[Amy3639]

Oh good to note.  I will delete those and start over.

Thank you!

[Joan2709]

@Amy3639 

Always double check using View mode if the Rule Sets you are applying are working as you intend. They can be tricky and don't always work the way you think they will.

Also, I can't verify the Parent only Rule Set scenario, as I'm not currently co-hosting for a multiple property listing that doesn't use a Channel Manager. I just read that sometimes Rule Sets could cause a problem with "unsyncing".

[Amy3639]

I’m seeing that with the 3 calendars linked,  any rule set is applied to all listings. 
I was not using any rule sets at the times the unsyncing was occurring. We just tried those a couple days ago. 

[Amy3639]

 

 

 the first pic was Saturday showing they had unsynced. The 2nd and 3rd is the process to go through and what I see once they’re linked

[Joan2709]

@Amy3639 

Be careful if you are restricting availability by day the week - that could be causing the issue. Keep in mind these listings are all linked together. What you do on the parent may affect both child listings.

If you want to strategically prevent the 2 smaller listings from being booked first on weekends or holidays, you need to manually block the calendars for the 2 smaller listings - not try to use day of the week (mon, tues, wed, etc.) min stay restrictions. (I think).

The goal is to get the Parent listing booked first. Then as dates approach and it isn't booked, open the main home child listing (unblock). If that doesn't get booked, then open (unblock) the apartment child listing as well.

Not familiar with your booking window or seasonality, but in most cases weekends and holidays should be saved for the Parent listing first (block both child listings). Then depending on your typical booking window and season, unblock the main home child listing next. If that still doesn't get booked, then open up (unblock) the Child Apartment listing.

[Amy3639]

Thank you so much!!

[Rebecca]

@Amy3639 are you using the Community Center through your phone or through a desktop? If you're on a desktop you should already have the ability to upload images. 😊