This guide assists partners using iTrip as their Property Management System (PMS) to work smoothly with Tailwind, even without an official integration. It details how we manage your guest communications and access your iTrip account.
Handling Guest Communication with iTrip
We manage guest communication for your iTrip account by relying on email notifications sent to the email address you’ve connected to Tailwind. Here’s how it works:
Non-Airbnb/VRBO/Booking.com Messages
For messages from channels other than Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com (e.g., TripAdvisor, Expedia, or direct bookings via iTrip’s network of 80+ listing sites), our team receives an email notification from your iTrip account. We log into your iTrip PMS, using its Unified Inbox, to respond directly to guests, ensuring responses align with your settings and branding.
Airbnb and VRBO Messages
Tailwind has direct integrations with Airbnb and VRBO, so these messages sync automatically into our platform. You’ll need to connect your Airbnb and VRBO accounts in the "Connections" section of Tailwind to enable this. Our team handles these messages through Tailwind, without accessing iTrip for these platforms.
Booking.com Messages
For Booking.com, our team can respond directly via the email notification we receive, without logging into your iTrip PMS or Booking.com account. This keeps the process efficient for these messages.
Other OTAs
Messages from other Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) supported by iTrip, such as HomeAway or FlipKey, are managed within your iTrip Unified Inbox. Our team accesses iTrip to respond, triggered by email notifications.
To ensure quick responses, please verify that your iTrip account is configured to send email notifications for guest messages to the Tailwind-connected email address. You can check this in iTrip’s "Settings" or "Notifications" section to enable alerts for all relevant channels. iTrip’s proprietary software supports real-time updates, so proper notification setup is essential.
Creating a User for Tailwind in iTrip
To allow our team to access your iTrip PMS securely, you’ll need to create a dedicated user account for us using the email address provided by your Tailwind Onboarding Specialist (e.g., [email protected]). This ensures our access is separate from yours for security purposes. Follow these steps to set up the user:
Log into iTrip: Sign in to your iTrip account with your admin credentials, accessible via the web or iTrip’s mobile-optimized interface, including the iTrip Travel App.
Access User Management: Navigate to the "Settings" or "Account" section, typically found in the top menu or sidebar, and locate the "Users" or "Team Management" area where you can manage user accounts.
Add a New User: Select the option to create a new user (often labeled "Add User" or "Invite User"). Enter the Tailwind-provided email address (e.g., [email protected]).
Configure Permissions: Assign permissions that allow our team to view and respond to guest messages, access reservation details, and handle communication tasks. iTrip’s role-based permissions allow you to limit access to communication functions, avoiding unnecessary admin privileges. If you’re unsure about permissions, consult your Onboarding Specialist for guidance.
Save and Notify: Save the user profile or send the invitation, then inform your Onboarding Specialist that the account is set up. We’ll verify access and test the connection.
If you encounter issues with iTrip’s user management, contact your Onboarding Specialist, and we’ll assist you. iTrip’s software, designed for franchisee efficiency, typically makes user setup straightforward.