Getting Started with Expedia: Setup, Phone Support, and What to Expect
Expedia remains a significant distribution channel for independent hotels. Across the properties we work with, Expedia-branded sites consistently account for 15% to 25% of total online bookings—too substantial to ignore, even as properties work to reduce OTA reliance.
The challenge isn't whether to use Expedia. It's understanding how to set up your property correctly, manage inventory efficiently, and access support when issues arise.
What You're Actually Signing Up For
When you partner with Expedia, you're enrolling across multiple platforms simultaneously:
- Expedia.com – the primary North American booking site
- Hotels.com – heavily marketed with loyalty program integration
- Vrbo (formerly including Venere.com) – vacation rental and alternative accommodation inventory
Some channel management systems don't fully support all Expedia-owned platforms. If certain sites aren't appearing in your CRS connection options, you may need to enroll directly through Expedia to ensure full distribution coverage.
Managing Multiple Booking Channels Shouldn't Be Complicated
SiteMinder connects your property to 450+ booking channels—including Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, and the GDS—from a single dashboard. Real-time inventory updates prevent overbookings, maintain rate parity, and eliminate manual channel management.
Whether you're using Opera, Mews, Little Hotelier, or any of 100+ property management systems, SiteMinder integrates seamlessly to give you complete control over your distribution strategy.
How to Enroll
You have two options:
- Contact your channel manager or CRS provider – if you're already using a system like Cloudbeds, RoomRaccoon, or SiteMinder, your account manager can often facilitate the connection.
- Enroll directly at JoinExpedia.com – this is typically faster and gives you control over the initial setup.
The enrollment form is detailed. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes to complete it properly—rushing through leads to errors that delay your go-live date. You'll need property details, rate structure, cancellation policies, photos, and banking information.
After submitting your application, you'll receive a contract to sign. Once Expedia processes the agreement, an account manager will contact you to finalize your listing and confirm your property appears correctly in search results.
Reservation Delivery Options
Expedia offers two methods for receiving bookings:
- Fax or email confirmation – manual entry into your PMS
- Expedia QuickConnect – automated two-way connection that sends reservations directly to your property management system
QuickConnect typically costs $1 to $3 per reservation depending on your CRS provider, but it eliminates manual data entry and reduces booking errors. For properties receiving more than a handful of Expedia reservations per month, the automation cost is usually justified by the time saved.
Critical Support Contact Information
When you need to close inventory during a power outage, clarify a booking issue, or resolve a virtual card payment problem, finding Expedia's support number in the extranet is unnecessarily difficult.
Here are the direct contact numbers:
Expedia Connectivity Support (technical issues, inventory management):
Phone: 1-888-397-1786
Fax: 1-702-939-2697
Expedia Market Management (rate promotions, listing visibility):
Phone: 1-888-663-9733
Email: mm@expedia.com
For properties outside North America, visit Expedia's Partner Central support page for region-specific contact information.
Use Connectivity Support for urgent operational issues—reservation corrections, inventory closures, or booking transmission errors. Contact Market Management when you're evaluating promotional opportunities like Expedia Special Rates or enhanced placement in search results.
What Happens After You Go Live
Once your property is active on Expedia, ongoing management involves:
- Monitoring rate parity across your direct site and OTA channels
- Closing inventory for sold-out dates or maintenance periods
- Reviewing booking pace to identify demand patterns
- Adjusting rate strategies based on pickup reports and market conditions
Expedia should be managed as part of your overall distribution strategy—not treated as a passive channel. Properties that actively manage their Expedia presence typically see better placement in search results and more consistent booking volume.
Expedia is a revenue channel, not a revenue strategy.
The goal isn't to maximize Expedia bookings—it's to use the platform strategically while building direct booking volume and reducing commission dependency over time.
Smarter revenue starts with better usability. Explore our services or get in touch to see how Four Sides Hospitality Consulting can help you turn web traffic into direct bookings.