What web browsers does Bookabach/Bookastay support?

This article is for: Managers Renters

We do our best to ensure that Bookabach works best across popular web browsers and operating systems.  However, given our finite development resources,  it’s not possible for us to test and support all browsers and maintain backwards compatibility to old browsers.  Here’s a list of the browsers we support (with links to download current version):

* Microsoft Internet Explorer: Version 8.x and above - Download latest
* Mozilla Firefox: Version 3.6 and above - Download latest
* Google Chrome: All versions - Download latest
* Apple Safari (for Mac and PC): Version 5.0 and above - Download latest
* Opera: Not tested - Download latest

We do show an alert on the website if your browser is too out of date for the site to function effectively.  Sorry, we can’t offer specific recommendations on browsers (but most of us at Bookabach are Firefox or Chrome users).

Still on Microsoft IE 6? See the IE 6 countdown page from Microsoft.

How do I pay on a “Professionally Managed” property?

This article is for: Renters

***NOTE: Credit card facilities for Professionally Managed properties are currently only available on Bookabach NZ ***

Professionally Managed properties on Bookabach accept payments by credit card, internet banking and possibly cash or personal cheque.  If you pay by credit card your payments go into the Property Manager’s Commercial Trust Account. We know this because we provide them with the payment facility (our Hosted Payments product).

If you pay by internet banking, cash or personal cheque the Property Manager should also put these funds in their Commercial Trust Account.

If you cancel your booking it is up to the Property Manager to process the cancellation and provide you with any refund due.

See also:
How do I pay on a “Safepay” property?
How do I pay on a “Deal Direct” property?

How do I pay on a “Safepay” property?

This article is for: Renters

**NOTE: Safepay is currently only available on Bookabach NZ **

When you pay for your stay using credit card on a “Safepay” property your funds are held in the Bookabach Commercial Trust Account. These funds only become available to a property owner/manager after your stay has completed.

If you cancel your booking we will process your cancellation and refund you any amounts due (not the owner/manager).  Also, if for any reason beyond your control the accommodation is not made available to you, then Bookabach will refund you your money.

See also:
How do I pay on a “Deal Direct” property?
How do I pay on a “Professionally Managed” property?

How do I pay on a “Deal Direct” property?

This article is for: Renters

With Deal Direct properties you pay the owner or property manager directly for the stay. You can pay them by internet banking, cash, and in some cases personal cheque. They may also accept credit card payments.

If you cancel your booking it is up to the owner/manager to process the cancellation and provide you with any refund due.

See also:
How do I pay on a “Safepay” property?
How do I pay on a “Professionally Managed” property?

How does the Payment Gateway credit card facility work? (for owners/managers)

This article is for: Managers

*** NOTE: The Payment Gateway is currently only available for Bookabach NZ owners/managers ***

Once you’ve opted into the Payment Gateway your listing will display the Safepay credit card payment icon.  You receive a booking request (or question you convert to a booking request) as usual. When you Accept the booking, Credit Card payment instructions are automatically included in the footer of your acceptance email. 

We let you know when payments are received and automatically record the payments against the booking.  You can view your funds held in Trust by going to Payments > Trust Account and these funds become available to you for drawdown 48-hours after the stay has completed.

Once you’ve given us drawdown instructions, you can choose to have the whole drawdown process happen automatically as and when funds become available.  Plus, if you manage multiple properties you can define different drawdown accounts on different properties and have us disperse funds on your behalf.

You can disable the Payment Gateway on a “per property” or “per booking” basis if you would prefer people to use Internet Banking (domestic guests).

I want to use the Payment Gateway but it says I don’t qualify. Why?

This article is for: Managers

The following qualification criteria applies for using the Payment Gateway credit card facility:

1) You must have your Rental Terms defined in the Bookabach system. Without these we don’t know anything about your Payment Terms (what amounts to expect and when to expect them) or your Cancellation Terms (what to charge and what to refund at any point in time). To correct this problem set-up your Rental Terms on Bookabach.

2) Your Rental Terms must be validated, workable and reasonable.  It’s not acceptable, for example, to expect 100% up front and charge 100% on cancellation.  To correct this problem review your Rental Terms.

3) You must have been using Bookabach for 6-months or longer.

4) You must have five or more positive feedbacks from rental transactions.

5) You must have a 90% or better positive feedback rate.

This qualification criteria helps us manage the risk of potential fraudulent use of the facility.

A guest who’s paid by Credit Card is asking for a cash cancellation refund. Should I pay it?

This article is for: Managers

If you have a guest who’s paid by credit card (Payment Gateway, Hosted Payment or your own facility) then you should ALWAYS process refunds as credits back to this same credit card.  This protects you from any potential scam involving a stolen card or card number.

In cases where you’ve received ‘split’ payments - payments by credit card and by other means such as Internet Banking or Cash - only refund to the card the maximum that was paid using the card.

Please be cautious when dealing with refunds where credit cards are involved.

What is a Booking Statement (and how does it work)?

This article is for: Managers

The Booking Statement is a PDF document that provides all critical information about the booking to your guest. It includes the following information:

• Guest and booking details
• Property manager (or owner-manager) name and contact information
• Rental Terms (provided these have been supplied to us)

Once the booking is accepted the following information can also be found in the Booking Statement:

• Quoted charges (if a quotation exists for this booking)
• A Payment Schedule showing when payments are due

Then, if any Charges or Payments are recorded on the booking the following information also appears in the Booking Statement:

• A Payment Summary showing the total charge, what’s been paid so far, and the balance remaining
• Record of Charges and Payment information.

Booking Statements can be sent as a PDF attachment on any emails you send via the Bookabach NZ website, or you can download the Booking Statement (link in side menu on Bookings > View Booking) and send it via Outlook or any other email software.

How do Bookabach Gift Vouchers work? (for owners/managers)

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach Gift Vouchers provide a way to pre-purchase accommodation on Bookabach (not currently available on Bookastay Australia or Pacifica websites).  Vouchers are paid for by credit card with funds going into our trust account.  The voucher is sent by email as a PDF attachment to the purchaser, and optionally a voucher recipient. 

To redeem the voucher, the recipient makes a standard booking request via the Bookabach website.  Once a booking has been accepted or confirmed the guest (voucher recipient) redeems the voucher through Bookabach by sending their membership details, the booking details and the voucher unique key to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Our accounts department then arranges for payment to be made to the owner or property manager.

For owners/managers a Bookabach Gift Voucher is as good as cash.  The scheme does not cost anything to join or use. Bookabach pays the associated credit card fees on vouchers and treats this as a marketing expense.

Vouchers are single use and must be used on a single booking.  A maximum of $1,000 of Gift Vouchers can be redeemed against a single booking.  Click here to view full voucher terms and conditions.

I stayed at a property recently. When do I receive my AA Smartfuel discount?

This article is for: Renters

Bookabach offers a 10c per litre AA Smartfuel discount on properties that display the AA Smartfuel logo on their listing.  These are our Top-500 Performing Properties. We may also offer AA Smartfuel discounts as an incentive under specific marketing campaigns that use campaign offer codes.

To qualify for your AA Smartfuel discount:
* You must have a confirmed stay at an AA Smartfuel qualifying property.  This is a property that displays the AA Smartfuel logo at the time you make your booking request, or is part of a specific campaign-based AA Smartfuel offer (with an offer code).
* You must have your AA membership number or AA Smartfuel number in your personal profile (see My Bookabach). And it must be validated (using the validation link).

AA Smartfuel discounts are automatically allocated 7-days after your stay has completed.  This allows owners/managers to update their records with any last minute cancellations.  We’ll let you know (by email) when your AA Smartfuel discount has been credited to your AA Smartfuel card.

How can I offer AA Smartfuel discounts on my listing?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach provides AA Smartfuel discounts as an additional marketing incentive on the Top-500 Performing Properties.  The Top-500 Performing Properties are automatically determined each week.  They are the top Performance Plan listed properties with the highest success fee spend over the past 12-months.

There is no charge to you, the owner or manager, if your property is shown offering AA Smartfuel (we pay the associated marketing costs). Offering this additional incentive on your listing is our way of saying thanks - and congratulations on having a Top-500 Performing Property!

To determine whether you have a Top-500 Performing Property go to Listing > Listing Performance.

What is the Check List and where do I find it?

This article is for: Managers

If you are the Rental Contact of a property you’ll find a handy Check List in the left hand column of the Dashboard page. 

The Check List is a way we can clearly indicate to you, in a single place, all the things that need to be completed.  Some items in the Check List are related to you (as the Rental Contact) and some are related to the Property (e.g. pricing or listing completeness).  So, if you have multiple properties your Check List may be complete on some properties but not on others.

Completed items are shown in the Check List with a green check mark.  Incomplete items are shown with a red cross.  The link on each Check List item takes you through to the relevant section of the website.

By completing the Check List you add 20 points to the score for that property.  This affects how this property is ranked (positioned in the page).

Why has my (Performance Plan) listing been taken offline?

This article is for: Managers

If you have a property listing on the Performance Plan you need to keep your calendar up to date.  Specifically this means confirming any bookings that proceed, and declining/ canceling any that do not.  We will send you a “Did this go ahead?” warning email whenever a booking in Requested or Accepted state goes into past.  We refer to these as unattended bookings.

If you have more than five past unattended bookings then we will send you an additional, important warning email.  This messages shows you any unattended bookings and prompts you to indicated which ones went ahead and which don’t.  Failure to act on this warning email within 7-days will result in your listing(s) being taken offline.  In all cases we invite you to contact our support desk if you are having problems and want us to coach you through how to use our availability calendar.

While this may seem like a tough stance, it is important for you to understand why we do this:

* We only can tell when to charge a success-fee when bookings are marked as confirmed in our system.

* AA Smartfuel users who booked and stayed at your property may be entitled to receive Fuel Discounts. We can only allocate these discounts if we know the booking proceeded. (Bookabach only).

* Bookabach members receive benefits (e.g. Mates Rates discounts on some properties) by having good rental history. In order for them to receive these benefits you must confirm bookings that go ahead.

Finally, by confirming bookings you will receive feedback from (recent) rental guests. Good feedback elevates your ranking and improves “look-to-book”, increasing occupancy and your rental return.

We understand that you may choose to handle your bookings offline not using our system. However, sorry, we still need you to go online and let us know, via our website, when bookings proceed or not. It only takes a few minutes - and it is a requirement under the Performance Plan that you do this.

How do I remove (delete) my membership?

This article is for: Managers Renters

If you want to completely remove your details from Bookabach then follow the instructions below.  Note that this is different than “unsubscribing” - which is where you opt-out from one or more or all marketing communications.

Renters:

1) Go to http://www.bookabach.co.nz and log into My Bookabach
2) Under your contact details you’ll find a “Remove membership” link. 

Owners/Managers:

If you have recently sold a property and want to transfer your listing and booking history to the new owner see this help article.

1) Resign from, or disband any properties you are associated with by going to My Account > Properties and clicking the “Remove” link next to the property name.
2) Log into the Renter website http://www.bookabach.co.nz  (use the link at the top)
3) Under your contact details you’ll find a “Remove membership” link. 

NOTE: If you have rental bookings you have committed to in the future and can not meet these commitments please contact us.

I stayed at a property and want to provide feedback, how do I do this?

This article is for: Renters

We automatically send a “Request for Feedback” email notice a few days after the completion of your stay. Use the link in this email to get through to the online feedback questionnaire.

If you do not receive this email, or if you’ve lost it; or if you just want to provide feedback as soon as you stay completes you can do this online by:

1) Going to http://www.bookabach.co.nz and logging into My Bookabach
2) Go to Past Bookings
3) Use the Give feedback link on the past booking

-OR-
1) Find the listing on http://www.bookabach.co.nz
2) Use the feedback link in the Guest Comments section.  (You’ll then be asked to log-in if you are not already).

Feedback links are only generated on bookings that were confirmed - and only on bookings you’ve made through Bookabach.  You can only provide feedback on bookings that completed within the last 365 days.

If your booking proceeded but is still shown as Requested or Accepted then please let us know using the Did this go ahead? link.

How can I get a copy of my last Tax Invoice?

This article is for:

You can download PDF copies of Tax Invoices and Payment Receipts using the links on your online Account Statement.  You’ll find your Account Statement by going to My Account > Account Statement. 

Payment Receipts are receipts for credits to your account.
Tax Invoices are invoices for debits (or charges) to your account.

The links are to PDF format documents that can be saved to your computer and/or opened and printed.

How does Bookastay/Bookabach work? (General)

This article is for:

Bookabach is a membership-based website.  Whether you are a bach owner, property manager or rental guest the first step in using Bookabach is to become a member.  And,  it’s free to join.  You use your email address and password to log-in and access your information on Bookabach.

Please note that we do not manage properties or take bookings.  We put renters directly in touch with bach owners and property managers around the country.

If you make a booking request, or ask a question about a property on Bookabach, this information is sent directly to the bach owner or property manager associated with this property.  In most cases, you will be provided with the phone contact details for the bach owners/property manager you are dealing with.

It’s up to you to agree to rental terms, organise payment and key pick-up etc.  Bookabach does not get involved in this process and does not take rental payments.

Bookabach is free to use for renters.  We charge bach owners and property managers fees to use the services we provide.

Where can I find the Bookastay/Bookabach Privacy policy?

This article is for:

To view our privacy policy, please see the "privacy" link in the footer section of every page.

How can I contact Bookabach/Bookabach?

This article is for:

Please see the Contact Us page for further information of how to contact Bookabach.  See the "contact us" link in the footer of every page.

How does Bookastay/Bookabach work?  (for renters)

This article is for: Renters

Bookabach puts would-be bach renters directly in touch with owners and property managers of the finest baches, beach houses and self catering holiday homes in New Zealand.

First of all, please understand that all the properties you see on the Bookabach website are managed by their owners - or in some cases a property manager appointed by the bach owner - not by Bookabach.

So, when you make an enquiry on a property your request is automatically sent to the owner/manager of the property.  On making an enquiry you will be provided with the owner/manager’s contact details so you can call them to follow-up.

It’s THEIR responsibility to:

* Decide whether to accept or decline your booking request
* Provide you with more details on the property and answer any question you may have
* Organise with you payment of a deposit to confirm the booking; plus any bond and balance of rental
* Provide you with a rental agreement (we recommend this)

Bookabach facilitates this process by providing the website - a safe place to rent holiday homes* - and tools for the owners/property managers to use for effective management of their properties.

*Note that Bookabach orders properties by default using a scoring system heavily waited to feedback from other renters - so the ones furthest up the top have the most rental history.

Guest comments: What are they and how do we collect them?

This article is for:

Guest comments (or guest book entries) are comments made by people who’ve stayed at a property.   Note that Bookabach does not edit or modify these comments.  See our policy on editing feedback.

How do I opt-out from receiving newsletters?

This article is for: Managers Renters

You can opt out from receiving the marketing communications we send to you by following the instructions below.  Note that our marketing system is continuously updated with new details but it can take 2-5 days for any changes to take effect. 

www.bookabach.co.nz users:
1) Go to http://www.bookabach.co.nz
2) Click the My Bookabach tab and log in
3) Under your name and contact details, on the left hand side, click the Newsletter options link. This will take you to My Bookabach > Newsletter options

manage.bookabach.co.nz users:
1) Go to http://manage.bookabach.co.nz and log in
2) Go to My Settings > Personal Preferences
3) Un-check the boxes for the communications you no longer wish to receive
4) Click the Save button

Note that if you are the owner or Rental Contact or one or more properties on Bookabach you can not opt out from receiving the owner/manager edition of our newsletter. They often contain critical information about the website.

I’ve received negative feedback. What should I do?

This article is for: Managers Renters

Most people understand that there are two sides to any story - and feedback are “opinion pieces”. In general, provided you have a history of good transactions on Bookabach a single piece of negative feedback should not significantly affect your ranking or ability to use Bookabach. 

We give you the right to respond to feedback and provide your side of the story - and we recommend that you use this opportunity to clearly state your point of view. To do this:

Renters:
1) Go to http://www.bookabach.co.nz and log in to My Bookabach
2) Use the View/respond to feedback link
3) Use the Attach a response link below the feedback in question

Owners/Property managers:
1) Go to http://manage.bookabach.co.nz and log in
2) Go to My Settings (link on the top right of screen under your name)
3) Use the View/respond to feedback link below your contact details.

We strongly advise you not to retaliate by placing negative feedback on them - unless you have a genuine grievance with the way they have treated you.  Retaliating by placing negative feedback where it is not justified can reflect badly on your own listing.

Sorry, Bookabach will not intervene to "sanitize" feedback - see our policy on editing feedback.

I’ve made an enquiry but haven’t had response.  What do I do?

This article is for: Renters

If you’ve made a booking request but haven’t had a response from the property owner/manager here’s what to do:

First, log into My Bookabach and check your booking request.  There’s a chance that it has been declined but the owner/manager omitted to send you an email (by default you will receive an email from them but they can override this and choose not to send an email).

If your booking is showing as REQUESTED:

Check the email we sent you when you first made the enquiry (booking request acknowledgement).  In this email (in most cases) you’ll find the owner/manager contact information and an indication of how quickly they typically respond.

Remember that holiday homes are not like hotels and motels and in many cases owners are not doing this “for a living”.  So, while some commit to responding quickly, otherwise are up front in saying it may take them a few days to respond. Please respect this.

If you haven’t heard back in the time frame indicated then please put in a support request and we’ll be happy to chase it up for you.

What is a bach?

This article is for: Managers Renters

In Aotearoa (New Zealand) we call holiday homes “baches”.  Where the term comes from has been hotly debated.  In general, it’s acknowledged that it’s a contraction of “bachelor”, from the days when men wanting time out disappeared with their mates to rustic huts in the middle of nowhere.

These days, the word “bach” can mean a holiday home, beach house, hut or lodge.  They range from the traditional, back-to-basics “Kiwi bach” to very luxurious houses.

How does Bookabach protect your security?

This article is for:

Bookabach uses individual member passwords as a security mechanism to prevent unauthorised access to your information.  The information you provide is stored on our own dedicated servers and will not be disclosed to any third party.

For online financial transactions Bookabach uses Direct Payment Solutions Ltd (DPS).  DPS is used by a large number of NZ-based online businesses including Trade Me, Air New Zealand and Ticketek.   DPS provide the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and billing facility for credit card transactions and Bookabach does not keep this information in our database.   For more information about DPS see www.dps.co.nz

Why should I book through Bookabach/Bookastay?

This article is for: Renters

Bookabach lets bach owners and property managers link to their own website. While in most cases this will give you more information than you can glean from the Bookabach website, we urge you to make your booking through Bookabach.

Booking through Bookabach doesn’t cost a thing. It ensures that your booking request ends up on the calendar used for the property Also, it gives us the traceability we need to help you if need be.

What is the difference between Feedback and the Guest Book?

This article is for: Managers

Member Feedback provides information about historical transactions between members (owners, property managers and renters) on Bookabach.  Owners and property managers are rewarded for positive feedback and each piece of positive feedback will improve the ranking of your bach in search results.  To find member feedback, click the blue numbers or stars next to that member’s user name.

The Guest Book provides comments left by guests on a specific bach and is available to view on every Bookabach listing.   Guest Book entries have no effect on bach rankings.

Both parties receive a "Request for Feedback"  after a stay has been Confirmed and then completed.

What does Enquiry Pending mean?

This article is for: Renters

Enquiry Pending means that someone has already made an enquiry over the dates shown.  It shows in YELLOW on the Price-Availability display. You can still put in a Booking Request, but you should be prepared for the possibility of it being declined if the initial booking goes through.

What should be included in a rental agreement?

This article is for:

Please have a look at this article titled What to include in a rental agreement.

How do I cancel my booking? (rental guests)

This article is for: Renters

If you’ve made a booking through Bookabach but need to cancel, please notify the owner/manager directly that you are cancelling.  You will find their contact details in the email sent to you by Bookabach when you made your request. Alternatively you can find them online:

1) Log in to My Bookabach on http://www.bookabach.co.nz
2) Go to Bookings & Questions
3) Click the View link next to the booking request

If you’ve already paid a deposit, depending on the agreement you have in place between you and the owner/manager, you may forfeit some or all of the rental deposit or rental payment you have paid.

What should I do if I don’t get a response to my booking request?

This article is for:

Log-on to My Bookabach and click the "View My Bookings/questions" link. Locate the booking and then click "View Request".  This will show you all the contact details for the bach owner.  Make sure you have tried every contact listed.

Alternatively, try searching for an alternative bach if you do not hear back from the bach owner within 48 hours.  We advertise baches on behalf of the owners, and because of this, we are unable to confirm a booking for you.

Can I bring my well behaved cat or dog?

This article is for:

Each listing displays whether or not pets are allowed.  You can also search for pet friendy properties using our advanced search.   Go to: Find a bach > Advanced search

What is your postal address?

This article is for:

All our contact information is available on the Contact Us page.  You will also find a link in the footer of each page.

What does POA mean?

This article is for:

POA stands for ‘Price on application’.  This means that the bach owner or property manager has not provided pricing information.  You will need to make a booking request and ask for a price quotation.

What are Bookabach’s Site Terms and Conditions?

This article is for:

To view our Terms and Conditions please see www.bookabach.co.nz/legal  (you’ll find another link  in the footer section of every page).  

Note that these are terms and conditions for use of the website NOT rental terms and conditions.  If you are renting a property through Bookabach please be sure to ask your property manager or bach owner for rental terms and conditions.

For our recommendations on what should be included in any rental agreement see this help article.

How do I change my contact details?

This article is for: Managers Renters

To change your contact details on Bookabach:

Renters:
1) Log in to my bookabach
2) On the left side of the screen you will see your full contact information. Select "update" to edit these details.

Owners/Managers:
1) Log into the owner/manager website http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2) Go to My Settings > Personal Details

You can change your address, phone numbers, email address, password and newsletter options. You can also add your AA Membership number to your profile.

How do I update my email address?

This article is for: Managers Renters

To update your email address:

Renters

1) Go to http://www.bookabach.co.nz and log into My Bookabach using your old email address and password.

2) Beneath your contact information you’ll find links to update your contact details.  Use this link.

Owners/Property Managers

1) Go to http://manage.bookabach.co.nz and log in

2) Go to My Settings > Personal Details. 

3) Use the Change email address link

How do I report offensive or abusive feedback?

This article is for: Managers Renters

If you come across feedback that is personally attacking or offensive, please use the “Send this page” link at the top of the page to report it. Send the page to support@bookabach.co.nz.

Why does Bookabach have member feedback?

This article is for:

Trust:  it’s the single biggest issue that comes up when we talk to both renters and owners.  Property owners or managers want to rent to people that they feel they can trust to take care of their properties.

For property managers developing a sense of trust typically requires a process of "vetting" - talking to prospective tenants over the phone and even in some cases contacting rental references.

Renters on the other hand face a nerve-racking leap-of-faith when asked to make a rental deposit on a property viewed only on the internet.  They need to feel assured that they are booking a place that lives up to the promises made by what they see on the website.

The Bookabach member feedback system is designed to address these issues.  It makes booking a holiday home safer for all parties, and speeds up the process of finding and securing a bach or holiday home by creating a level of trust between parties.

Can you help me find a property?

This article is for:

Bookabach does not manage the properties you see on this website.  Each property is managed by its individual owner or, in some cases, a property manager.   Bookabach operates this website, which has been designed to efficiently connect renters with bach owners (or property managers).

Sorry, but we don’t have any more information about properties than what you see on the website.

To start a search use find a bach.   You’ll find "Request a booking" and "Ask a question" links on every listing.   Any enquiry you make goes straight to the bach owner or property manager of that specific property.

If you are looking for advice or recommendations on where to stay, please read the guest book (and member feedback) entries on each listing.   These are honest testimonials from other Bookabach members who have stayed at the property.

How do I request a booking?

This article is for: Renters

Every Bookabach listing has price and availability displayed that is located underneath the main property description.  To make a booking request, follow these three simple steps:

1) Scan for your dates using the scroll-key at the top of the calendar.  You can scan week by week by clicking the arrows on each side of the display. Note that we use the following colour codes on the calendar:
RED: The property is already booked.
YELLOW: Provisionally booked (a requested or accepted booking is already present).  You are welcome to make an enquiry but you are unlikely to have it accepted.
You’ll also find public, provincial and school holidays marked on the calendar (small coloured triangles)

2) Use the check boxes to select the dates you want to stay.

3) Click the request booking button once you’ve selected your days.

Most owners/managers choose to display their availability - but some don’t. On these properties, the calendar days will show in grey. You can still request a booking but you will have to wait to find out availability.

When you request a booking, the website will immediately notify the bach owner or property manager.  In most cases you will also receive contact phone numbers so you can call to follow-up your request.

How do I ask a question about a bach?

This article is for:

If you have a specific question about a property, you can direct this straight to the bach owner/manager using the "Ask a Question" link on any detailed listing page.

IMPORTANT: If you have specific dates you are interested in, then use the "Request a booking" button.  Note that requesting a booking is an expression of interest only - not a committment on your part to rent.

How to search (advanced search)

This article is for:

The advanced search (Find a bach > Advanced Search) allows you full control over search criteria so you could, for example, search for: "a bach in Northland, with a hot-tub and open-fire, near hiking and mountain bike and with a boat ramp, and that takes 6-adults 4-kids. "

Advanced search also allows you to search for specific sites that are not listed under our search bar.

Please note that Bookabach searches on availability are based on calendar information provided by bach owners/managers. In most cases the availability information you see on Bookabach is up to date. However, because this information is provided by individual owners/managers we ultimately have no control of this.

What is Bookabach’s policy on gazumping?

This article is for: Managers Renters

Gazumping is where an owner or property manager accepts a booking (verbally or in writing), but then chooses to accept another booking and cancel the first.  Typically this happens where an owner/manager receives a booking for a short-term stay, accepts it, then changes their mind when a more tempting long-stay booking is received for the same period

Bookabach DOES NOT condone the practice of gazumping.  We recommend owners/managers stand by their word when a booking is accepted.  However, we do recommend that owners/managers set a clear time limit for a rental guest to make a deposit to secure (i.e. confirm) the booking.  If this time limit is exceeded then it is acceptable practice to cancel the booking and accept another.

If you find yourself gazumped please contact support@bookabach.co.nz

How can I upload photos to my listing?

This article is for: Managers

To upload a photo to your listing log into the website:

1) Log in and go to Listing > Edit Listing > Manage Pictures

2) Select ‘Upload image’ and browse your files to find a picture.

3) Give the picture a short descriptive caption (you must provide this).

4) Check the ‘Add picture to listing’ box if you want the picture to appear on your listing.

5) Click the ‘Upload Image’ button to upload and display up to 12 images.

Bookabach currently supports "landscape format" pictures only, i.e. "portrait format" pictures (taken with the camera on it’s side) are not supported.

Large images can take some time to upload, so be patient - and don’t click the back button!  For extra large images consider reducing the resolution to 1024 x 768 pixels. If you have Windows XP or Vista you can reduce a photo size automatically by emailing the photo to yourself.

I’ve made changes to my listing. When will they appear on the site?

This article is for:

If you’ve just listed a property, or made changes to your listing, it may take some time - typically less than an hour - for these changes to make their way through to published websites.  This because of the various layers of “caching” (storing) we use to make the website operate as fast as possible. 

Affiliate channel websites (Realestate.co.nz etc.) operate using “content feeds” or files transfers.  Typically these are updated over night.

Note that changes to pricing and availability information on the booking “widget” are displayed immediately.  We don’t cache these for obvious reasons - they need to be up to date.

The easiest way to view your listing status and get to your live listing is through the Dashboard page of the manage website.  Log in to http://manage.bookabach.co.nz, go to the Dashboard tab and looking at the listing status.  You’ll find a View listing link.

What are the key differences between the Performance Plan & Subscription Plan products?

This article is for: Managers

The Performance Plan is a pay-on-success based service. So you pay for confirmed rental bookings that go ahead - and only after the stay has completed.  Additionally, the Performance Plan allows you to increase your exposure by nominating higher than base-level success fees. When you nominate a higher success fee this contributes to your “score” which dictates your “ranking” on Bookabach - where your property appears on the search results pages[1].

The alternative Subscription Plan is an annual subscription-based service where you pay a fixed fee for listing on the website. There are are some differences in the listing itself, for example, the Performance Plan listings are featured listings and are eligible to offer AA Smartfuel incentives for rental guests (conditions apply).

Also, there are some difference in how properties are marketed.  Performance plan listings:
* are shown on affiliated websites (channels)
* are featured randomly on the Bookabach home page
* are featured randomly in deals newsletters
* are used in any other push marketing campaign opportunities

Notes:
[1] Other factors effect your ranking including quantity/quality of member feedback.

How do I add family and friends to my property?

This article is for: Managers

You can add family and friends to your property. They can see when the property is available and (if you want them to be able to) add their own bookings.

To add a member to your property: If they’re not already a member of Bookabach they need to first do this. Have them go to the www.bookabach.co.nz website and register; then…

1) Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz.

2) Go to Property Settings - the link next to the property name.

3) Use the +Add member link in the Members table.

We’ll automatically send them an invitation to join this property with your personalised message. They have the option to accept or decline this invitation.

How do I set up an email template?

This article is for: Managers

You can set up email templates for standard responses you need while managing bookings through the website.  For example, you may want a standard “accept booking” template that includes how to pay a rental deposit; or you may have a standard response to when a booking is cancelled.

You choose the template you want to use at the time you send your email correspondence through the website, and the website will remember the last template you used for that given action.

To set up an email template log-in and go to My Settings and then Email Templates.  You will find our default email templates for different stages of the booking process.

To create your custom version of an existing template:

1. Locate the template you want your email to be based on and click ‘Copy’.
2. Edit the text of the template, and use the ‘Insert Field’ option to insert Guest, Booking and Contact details that is specific to that particular booking.
3. Save all changes.

To create your own template please follow the “Add template”.

NOTE: If you manage multiple properties then we recommend you keep these templates generic and not include property specific information in them.

How do I manage bookings on Bookabach/Bookastay?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach helps you keep track of the state of your bookings.  For rental bookings the following states apply:

REQUESTED > ACCEPTED > CONFIRMED > COMPLETED

1) When your receive a booking request the booking will show in a REQUESTED state (shown in YELLOW)

2) After vetting the person you will decide whether or not you wish to rent to them.  Should you decide to go ahead and accept the booking the state becomes ACCEPTED (shown in ORANGE).  An accepted booking is one where you have both committed to the rental, but you have not yet received a deposit yet to secure the booking . 

3) Once you have received the deposit you confirm the booking.  The booking then shows in the CONFIRMED state (shown in RED).

4) After a CONFIRMED booking has gone into the past it shows as a COMPLETED state (shown in BLUE) - you don’t need to do anything for this to happen.

If you decline a booking, or if the booking is canceled, it shows as DECLINED or CANCELED (in GRAY).  Note that declined and canceled bookings won’t show on your calendar by default - you need to click the “show deleted” checkbox to reveal them.

I’ve forgotten my password, how do I retrieve (reset) it?

This article is for: Managers Renters

You’ll find a “Forgotten password” link on every log-in form.  This will take you to a page with instructions on how you can re-set your password. For security reasons we encrypt passwords and we no longer send them out in emails.  The Reset Password email you’ll receive contains a special link you can use to set-up a new access password.

How do Manager Text Alerts (SMS) work?

This article is for: Managers

Manager Text alerts let you know when a new booking request is received or a question is asked about your property.  They are especially useful if you don’t check your email everyday.

The text includes the following information:

Your property ID: The property can be viewed using www.bookabach.co.nz/

The booking reference: (if a booking) is the booking event reference.  You can log into the owner/manager website and use the search feature in Bookings > Show bookings. Just type the booking reference in the search box to locate the booking.

The member info: Includes name and contact phone numbers for the inquiring member.

To receive Manager Text Alerts you must be the Rental Contact. You must opt-in to receiving alerts (My settings > Preferences) and have your mobile number validated (My settings > Personal details).  Manager Text Alerts are FREE until further notice. We’ll let you know well in advance if we decide we need to start charging for this particular aspect of our service.

I own or manage apartments.  Can I list my properties on Bookastay/Bookabach?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach has been specifically designed for renters to view and request a booking for independent holiday houses and holidays homes, i.e. for a common-occupancy dwelling, and not to promote a branded total complex .  As such, our reservation engine currently lacks the ability to offer multiple room inventory within a single listing.

We do supported Apartment and Flat/Duplex as an accommodation category - but if you choose to list under this category we require a single listing per apartment (in order to show accurate availability and tariff information), even if the property descriptions and photographs are identical.

How do I add a property manager to my property?

This article is for: Managers

If you use, or want to use, a local property manager you can add them to your property on Bookabach. You can choose to have them handle your rental enquiries (or not) and they can see who’s coming to the bach and when.

To add a property manager first you must HAVE THEM create a membership (if they’re not already a member).  They’ll need to supply their phone numbers if you plan on having them act as the Rental Contact.  Once they have done this:

1) Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz.

2) Go to Property Settings - the link next to the property name.

3) Use the +Add member link in the Members table.

4) Choose Property Manager as the member type. Select what roles you would like this Property Manager to be assigned to (Property Administrator, Rental Contact, Billing Contact).

We’ll automatically send them an invitation email with your personalised message.  Once they’ve accepted this invitation the roles you’ve assigned will be automatically transferred over.

Note that multiple people can manage rental on Bookabach but only one person can be the Rental Contact for rental related correspondence.

How do I remove my property from the website?

This article is for: Managers

Taking your listing offline

You can disable your listing, removing it from the listing pages by using the “Go offline” link.  You’ll find this link on the Listing Status display on the Dashboard when you first log in to http://manage.bookabach.co.nz. 

Note that it can take up to an hour for this to take effect on Bookabach.  Affiliate websites that "cache" our bach listing may take even longer to remove your listing, but during this period rental enquiries and questions are blocked.

Completely removing your property
If you’ve sold your bach you may want to consider transferring your bach listing and its full rental history to the new owner.  See the separate help article related to this.

If you want to remove your bach and unsubscribe from Bookabach all together then:
1) Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2) Go to My Account > Properties
3) Next to the property name in the property table click the link that says “Remove”.
4) Choose the disband property option.  You’ll need to re-enter your password.

I’m selling my bach and want to transfer my listing to the new owner.  How do I do this?

This article is for:

If you sell your holiday home it is possible to transfer ownership of your listing, complete with it’s trading history (guest book and ranking), to the new owner.

First, the new owner must sign up for a Bookabach membership and enter in their full contact details.  Then, you can follow these instructions:

1) Log in to http://manage.bookabach.co.nz and select your bach and go to “Property settings”
2) Under “Members and roles”  select “+Add member”
3) Add the new owner as a member with their full name and email address (the one they’ve registered with on Bookabach. Be sure to assign them ‘Admin’, ‘Billing’ and ‘Rental contact’ Roles to give that member full access to the listing.
4) Resign from the bach by going to “Remove Member”.

Note that your Bookabach feedback does not get transferred to the new owner as it’s about you and your dealings on Bookabach. The bach Guest Book entries remain with the bach and the “Ranking” you’ve achieved remains with this property.

How can I change the Rental/Billing/Admin Contact (Roles) for my listing?

This article is for:

You can have as many members you like associated with your property.  Contact Roles however need to be unique.  You can only have one Rental Contact, one Billing Contact and one Admin Contact.  They can be the same person - or roles can be split across multiple members. 

* The Admin Contact has ultimate authority and ownership of the property online.  Only the Admin Contact can add members, change permissions and change roles.
* The Billing Contact gets any account related correspondence and is responsible for paying for any charges.
* The Rental Contact receives any rental-related correspondence is is responsible for responding to rental enquiries.

To change a Contact Role:

1) Log in and go to Property Settings.
2) Under ‘Members and Roles’ select Roles and Permissions.
3) Select the Role by checking the radio button(s) for the relevant member and click save.

Before you can assign a person as the Rental, Admin or Billing contacts they must have contact phone numbers added to their personal profile.

How do I Accept or Decline a Booking Request?

This article is for: Managers

When someone enquires about a stay at your property you will receive a Booking Request via email.  The same information shows up on your Bookings Calendar as a booking with status REQUESTED.  You will also find a link to a Requested booking under your Notifications. It is up to you to vet the enquirer for suitability. After you’ve done this you need to make a decision on whether you want to accept or decline this booking request.

To ACCEPT the booking request:
Once you both agree on terms of rental you can accept the booking.  To do this:

1. Locate the booking on your Calendar by either:
* Clicking the link in the email you received; or
* Log into the manage website and use the link in Notifications; or
* Use the booking search facility at the top of the page and type in their name

2. Expand the booking by clicking on the timeline for that booking;

3. Click the"Accept request” link;

The system will give you the option to send an acceptance email to the renter.

To DECLINE the booking request:
If you don’t want to accept this booking locate the booking as above and decline it by using the “Decline Request” link.

In either case the system will then give you the option to send an email to the renter.  Any emails you send via the site appear in the booking history for this booking.

How do I add my own rental bookings?

This article is for: Managers

We encourage you to manually add any rental bookings you have received from other sources to your Bookabach calendar. The more up-to-date your calendar is the more useful it is for people visiting the website.

To do this go to Bookings > Show Bookings page and click the Add booking button. You’ll find it on the top-right side of the screen.

Then, select Rental (or your own name if it is a family booking) and enter the booking details. You only need dates and a first/last name - but can add more information if it’s useful for you.

Note for Performance Plan customers: We DO NOT charge Performance Plan success fees on externally generated rental, only on rental bookings you receive via Bookabach.

How can I pay (top-up) my account?

This article is for: Managers

You will find all your account and subscription information by going to the My Account section.

To make a payment:
1) Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2) Click the My Account link. You’ll find a link for this under your name in the top right hand side of the screen.
3) Click the Make a Payment link.

You can choose to pay by Credit Card, Cheque or Internet Banking.

Please allow up to 5 working days for processing of Internet Banking or Cheques.  These types of payments require manual processing (Credit Card payments do not).

How do I set up a Rental Terms (a rental agreement)?

This article is for: Managers

To define your Rental Terms go to My Settings > Rental Terms. If it’s the first time you’ve used this feature you will be provided with a basic questionnaire.

Once you save the questionnaire form the following information is created:

* Payment Terms: What portion of the payment should be paid when (e.g. deposit vs. balance)

* Cancellation Terms: Settings associated with how you handle cancellations

* Cancellation Charges: What amounts are forfeited when a booking is cancelled.

* Other Rental Terms: Any other Rental Terms you want to include in your agreement. For example you may have a policy on pets, or on-site camping.

Once you’ve created your Rental Terms you need to validate them before they can be used. Once they have been validated we’ll show them during the booking process.

Note that we snap-shot your Rental Terms on each booking request.  So,  if you make changes over time you still have record of what terms applied when a booking was lodged.

Should I show a map on my listing?

This article is for: Managers

Whether you choose to display a map on your listing or not is entirely up to you.

Some bach owners have concerns regarding security and publicising both availability and location information on the website.  For a would-be rental guest this is exactly the information they need to aid their decision on finding a bach to rent, however, it may be seen as useful intelligence to any burglar.

1. Ensure deadlocks are fitted
2. Hide valuables - or don’t keep any at the bach
3. Keep any computers, audio-visual equipment etc. in places that can not be viewed from outside
4. Consider installing an alarm system
5. Have a local representative or caretaker who can keep an eye on the place while you or tenants are not staying
6. Make sure you have proper insurance

I operate a Bed and Breakfast. Can I list on Bookastay/Bookabach?

This article is for: Managers

While historically Bookabach NZ had supported Bed and Breakfast as an accommodation category, this category is no longer accepted on Bookabach, Bookastay Australia or Bookastay Pacifica. 

Bookabach has been specifically designed for renters to view and request a booking for independent holiday houses and holidays homes, i.e. for a common-occupancy dwelling.  As such, our reservation engine currently lacks the ability to offer multiple room inventory within a single listing.

Why does Bookastay/Bookabach charge a deposit to list on Performance Plan? How is this deposit used?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach operates a credit/debit account for each member. When you list a property on Performance Plan we charge a deposit in order to get your listing up and running. This deposit is non refundable. It becomes a credit in your Bookabach account to be used against future success fee payments. You will not need to top-up your account until this deposit runs out.

Asking for a deposit prevents people (mainly software and web developers) from playing with the website and adding bogus listings. It also creates a sufficient barrier to entry to ensure that someone who is listing takes enough time to create a viable listing - one that’s capable of attracting enough interest to perform well.

I’m using Payment Tracking.  How do I change a due date on an individual payment?

This article is for: Managers

If you are using Payment Tracking a Payment Schedule for a booking is set-up automatically when you accept the booking. The expected payment dates are derived from the information your supply in your Payment Terms (in your Rental Terms).  However, you can change these dates if you need to for individual bookings.  For example, perhaps you’ve made an agreement for balance to be paid on arrival, rather than in advance. To change the payment schedule dates associated with an individual booking:

1) Find the booking and open it.

2) Click the Charges & Payments tab.

3) Use the edit link next to the payment you want to re-schedule in the Payment Schedule table.

What do the colours mean on the listing price/availability?

This article is for: Renters

We use colours to describe the availability status of each property. These colours show in the Price/Availability area of the listing. Here’s what they mean:

WHITE: Available.

YELLOW: Provisionally booked. One or more requested or accepted bookings may be present on this day, but nothing confirmed yet. By all means make an enquiry - but understand you’ll only get a look-in if someone cancels.

RED: Booked. A confirmed booking is present on this day.  Booking requests are no longer accepted.

GREY: Availability unknown. The owner/manager is not committed to providing availability information to Bookabach.

GREEN: Selected. A day you’ve selected for your booking.

How do I edit pricing on my bach?

This article is for: Managers

To edit pricing go to Listing > Pricing and deals.

To set-up pricing, you must first set-up your “tariffs”.  These are “price levels”.  Once your tariffs are defined,  you need to apply these across the date ranges you want.

Step 1: Setting up tariffs

Use the ‘Add tariff’ link.  The following fields are defined:

* Tariff name: Choose a descriptive name that will help you like "high-season"
* Week-day and week-end/holiday rates: Bookabach automatically displays the correct pricing depending on the day of week and whether it’s a public holiday.
* Occupancy (for up to..): allows you to set a lower base price level if fewer people stay.
* Minimum number of nights: Define a minimum number of nights stay for dates of this tariff level.

Step 2: Apply your tariffs across date ranges

1) Check the box to the left of the tariff you wish to apply

2) Enter the date range in the From and To fields

3) Click the Apply tariff button.

Each tariff can be applied to a number of date ranges as many times as you like. To help you, we show you public, regional and school holidays in the calendar. If you want to offer a long stay discount, e.g. 7 nights for the price of 6, then add a Special Deal to your listing.

How do I edit, update or change a booking?

This article is for: Managers

To edit a booking:

1. Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2. Find the booking (using the search or by going to Bookings > Show Bookings) and open it.
3. Choose the Edit booking link from the left side menu.
4. Make your changes and save.

Note that if you are using Payment Tracking (Quotations and Payments) and you change dates then you will need to re-quote (reset the quotation) to calculate the new charges.

When and how are Performance Plan success fees charged?

This article is for: Managers

Success Fees will be charged to your Bookabach account the day after the final nights stay. Bookabach does this using booking information from your Bookabach Calendar. 

You will need to top up your Bookabach account once it goes into negative balance.  You can do this using your Credit Card, or by paying by Internet Banking or Cheque.  Please allow up to 5-days for processing of all payments other than Credit Cards.

If you have a last minute cancellation, or if there are last minute changes to the booking arrival and/or departure dates, you can update Bookabach with these changes by editing the booking at any time up to when the booking was originally scheduled to complete. 

If the booking completes as originally schedule and your Bookabach account is debited the success fees (for Performance Plan) there is a $10 administration charge associated with any transaction reversal as it requires manual processing.

How can I take my listing offline/online?

This article is for: Managers

DISABLING your listing

If you go-away and are concerned about servicing enquiries on your property in your absence you can temporarily disable your listing.

To do this:

1. Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2. On the the Dashboard page (the page you first come to) find where it says “Status”
3. Click the link that says “Go offline”

Note that the website can take up to 60 minutes to make these changes.

Taking your listing offline DOES NOT effect your property score/ranking. However, you can no longer see the score/ranking calculation information (on the Listing > Listing performance page) as this works off live listing data.

Note also that disabling your listing does not stop the clock on your subscription (for Subscription Plan listings).

ENABLING your listing

To put your listing back online follow the procedure above but use the “Go online” link.

Can I change from one plan to another after I’ve registered?

This article is for: Managers

Yes, you can move from one plan to another at any time.

If you are moving from the Subscription Plan to the Performance Plan, the remaining value of your subscription will be credited to your Bookabach account. You will need to pay any additional amount required to bring your account to the minimum start-up credit. Note that you will not be charged success fees on bookings you’ve received prior to moving to the Performance Plan.

If you choose to move from the Performance Plan to the Subscription Plan you will need to purchase a new 1-year subscription and pay any additional amount required for this. Note that you are obligated to pay the success fees associated with any Performance Plan bookings you have received up until your move to a different plan since you received the marketing benefits while on this plan that led to you receiving these bookings.

To change from one plan to another:
1) Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2) Go to My Account > Properties
3) Use the change link next to the pricing plan displayed on the property in the property table.

How much does it cost to use Bookabach/Booakstay?

This article is for:

How do I Confirm an Accepted booking?

This article is for: Managers

You should confirm bookings once a deposit has been received as security. To convert an Accepted Booking to a Confirmed Booking

1. Log in and go to Bookings > Show bookings

2. Find the booking using the search facility, or by using the timeline calendar

3. Click on the booking to open it.

4. Click the"Confirm this booking” link (top left).

We give you the option to send an email to your customer indicating that the booking has been confirmed. Confirmed bookings show as red (booked) on your calendar and red (booked) on your listing.

How do I edit (make changes to) my listing?

This article is for: Managers

To edit your listing login and go to Listing. Then go to Edit Listing.

In the menu on the left hand side of the page you’ll find all the features you need to edit your listing. To ensure you complete everything, try using the Step Me Through It wizard located at the top of the column on the left side of your screen.

I manage a property.  How do I get more feedback?

This article is for:

A few days after a stay has completed we automatically send out a request for feedback for any rental stay, booked via Bookabach and showing as ‘Confirmed’ on your calendar.

To maximise your feedback be sure to confirm all bookings that proceed to a stay.

How does Bookastay/Bookabach order (rank) properties on the website?

This article is for: Managers

The default order (or ranking) of listings on any page is dictated by a property score calculated using a number of factors:

1) Rental contact’s feedback: One point is awarded for each item of positive feedback received related to the management of this property over the past 24 months

2) Loyalty: Two points are awarded for each year the property has been actively listed.

3) Success fee: Available only on Performance Plan listings: One point is awarded for every 20c over the $9.50 base level success fee.

4) Check List complete: 20 points is awarded if the checklist related to the property and rental contact is complete.

Properties are ranked by score in descending order (highest scoring first).  If multiple properties have the same score the oldest listing appears first.

To view your property score and ranking go to Listing > Performance. NOTE: We reserve the right to add criteria and modify this ranking calculation over time and without notice.

How do I order a printed sign for my bach?

This article is for: Managers

Printed signs are a great way to promote your bach to foot and road traffic and encourage them to choose your place next time they’re in the area.

We have entered into a supply agreement with Sabre Signs (Christchurch). The signs are custom printed in colour on 420x300mm durable Forex plastic (3mm) and include the custom link to your bach listing on the website.

To order a sign log:

1. Log into the owner/manager website
2. Go to Resources
3. Click the link in the Order a sign area.

Signs cost $19.99 (incl. packing and shipping) and are typically delivered within a week.

If you have an order enquiry, or need to follow up regarding a sign shipment please contact Sabre Signs directly on 0800 722 737.

Why am I not receiving email sent to me from Bookabach ?

This article is for: Managers Renters

We do our best to make sure emails sent from Bookabach, or sent via the Bookabach website, are delivered successfully. Every Internet Service Provider (ISP) has its own spam and junk mail filtering settings we can not guarantee email delivery. To make sure critical communications get through we recommend that you check your spam or junk mail folder.

If you are not receiving emails from us add the Bookabach.co.nz domain to your white list - or ask your ISP to do this for you.  If your ISP does not support a white list then add support@bookabach.co.nz, noreply@bookabach.co.nz and automailer@bookabach.co.nz to your address book.

If you are still not reliably receiving emails from Bookabach then contact support@bookabach.co.nz and we’ll attempt an email trace. You may also want to consider the following:
1) Make sure your contact details are sent out when a booking request is made (My Settings > Preferences)
2) Set-up property manager text alerts (My Settings > Preferences again)
3) Log in to Bookabach periodically and check your Notifications.

Finally, we recommend you follow-up any critical communications with a phone call.

How should I manage key collection? Our thoughts…

This article is for: Managers

Please refer to this article in Owner/Manager Resources: How to manage key collection.

What is a bach?

This article is for: Renters

In Aotearoa we call holiday homes “baches”. Where the term comes from has been hotly debated .  In general, its acknowledged that it’s a contraction of “bachelor”, from the days when men wanting time out disappeared with their mates to rustic huts in the middle of nowhere.

These days, the word “bach” can mean a holiday home, beach house, hut or lodge. They range from the traditional, back-to-basics “Kiwi bach” to very luxurious houses.

How do I set up a Mates Rates discount?

This article is for: Managers

Mates Rates discounts help you attract guests with good rental history.  Here’s how it works: 

Every time someone stays at a property through Bookabach the owner or property manager of the property they stay at is asked to give feedback on them.  They receive a "star" each time they stay somewhere and receive good feedback.

With Mates Rates you nominate a discount you offer for your property for member with a specific level of positive feedback (stars).

To add a Mates Rates discount to your listing:

1. Log in and go to Pricing and Deals (Listing > Pricing & Deals).
2. Scroll down and click on the Edit link next to where it says Mates Rates.
3. Nominate the number of stars and the discount level.
4. Check the ‘show on my listing’ checkbox, and submit your changes.

Why do you not support feedback for externally added rental bookings?

This article is for: Managers

We only support feedback on transactions made via the website, i.e. Bookabach bookings and questions made via a property listing page on the website.

Sorry, but we can’t allow feedback from externally added bookings as it would open the feedback system to potential abuse.

How do I use Payment tracking?

This article is for: Managers

Setting up Payment Tracking

You can track payments and refunds associated with each booking. To use payment tracking:

1) You must have Quotations & Payments enabled (My Settings > Personal Preferences). Once you’ve done this a Payments tab will appear in the primary navigation.

2) You should have specified your Rental Terms (My Settings > Rental Terms).

3) Payment tracking uses information from your Rental Terms to schedule payment tracking and determine how to process cancellations.

Using Payment Tracking

When a booking is lodged (Requested) the site automatically creates a Quotation based on the pricing information you’ve defined, any discounts you’ve set-up and extras such as cleaning.  You should review this Quotation and make any additions or changes before accepting the booking.  Alternatively, if you don’t want to use the Quotation you can completely override it and just provide a value for the Total Charge.

When you Accept a booking a Payment Schedule is automatically created based on the information you provided as your Payment Terms in your Rental Terms. The Payment Schedule tells you what portion of the rental is due and when you should expect to receive it.  You can view all scheduled future payments (for all properties or a selected property) by going to the Payments section (tab in top navigation).

When you receive money from someone:  Go to the Payments section and find the associated payment in the schedule and use the Receive payment link -OR- find the booking and use the Receive payment link on the booking (left hand side navigation).

How do rental value calculations and quotations work?

This article is for: Managers

The website automatically estimates the value of each booking at the time a booking is first created. It does this for booking received via the website and bookings you add manually. The quotation created is based on:

• Rental: using information from the pricing you’ve set up (Listing > Edit pricing/Deals)
• Extras: using cleaning charge information from your listing (Listing > Edit Listing > Listing Basics)
• Discounts: Based on Special Deals information (Listing > Edit pricing/Deals)

This value shows as Quoted and should be validated before you provide this information to your guest. To do this:

1. Go to the booking and use the Rewiew link (or click on the Estimated label where ever you see this)
2. Review the Quotations and make any changes needed.
3. Click the green Validate this quotation button
4. The rental value will now show as VALIDATED

You can manually override the quotation using the Override link. OVERRIDDEN will show on the value if this is done.

Automatic rental value calculations are performed on any booking less than 31 days long. TOO LONG will appear on bookings too long to calculate.

What reports can I find on Bookabach?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach has three types of reports: the Ins and Outs report, the Occupancy report and the Bookings report.

The Ins and Outs report shows a calendar of arrivals and departures. If you manage more than one property you can use this report to schedule activities such as coordinating keys and cleaning. The contact details (email and phone numbers) of all guests is shown at the foot of this report.

The occupancy report is a pie-graph showing total occupancy for a set period. On this graph, dates can also be selected for a set time period, and information exported to a printable PDF file.

The bookings report generates a list of bookings made in a set time period. The information in this report is generated using pricing and occupancy information from the time the booking request is lodged. To edit any information in the report, click on the booking reference number in the left column and edit any relevant details.

Why can’t I put my contact details in my listing?

This article is for: Managers

Your contact details will be provided to someone once they’ve made a booking request on your property. If you have requested that they follow up with a phone call (My Settings > Personal Preferences)  this will be reflected in the email instructions under “what to do next”.

Please DO NOT put your name, phone numbers or email address directly in your listings. It’s against our site terms and conditions to do this. Here’s why:
* It completely bypasses our enquiry process so you won’t have a record of the dates requested.  You would need to keep track and manually add this information later on (dates, enquirer details etc).
* You will not get feedback on transactions obtained outside of this standard channel.
* We can only help when we have bookings in the system. Without this information we can not track bookings, provide customer service around a particular booking request or track occupancy and booking data to improve the website.
* It’s against the site terms and conditions of use.

Finally, in the case of Performance Plan listings, bypassing the booking request process means lost revenue to us.  And that REALLY winds us up!

I can’t find my property on Realestate.co.nz.  Why isn’t it there?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach and Realestate.co.nz have a joint marketing partnership that sees Bookabach holiday home listings published on the Realestate.co.nz website under the Homes for Rent > Holiday Homes category.

The following listings qualify and are automatically supplied to Realestate.co.nz:

* All Performance Plan listings

* All listings from subscribing real estate offices of Realestate.co.nz

If you are a real estate agent AND a subscriber to Realestate.co.nz AND have one or more Subscription Plan listings you would like published then contact support@bookabach.co.nz to have your listings loaded.

If you have a qualified listing but can’t find it on Realestate.co.nz then check your property address (Property Settings > Edit address). We only can supply properties with valid address and post code information. If you’re not sure use the NZ Post address and post code finder to validate your property address.

How far in advance can I accept bookings?

This article is for: Managers

Bookabach allows you to select how far into the future you wish to accept requests for bookings (your selling period).  On the Price and Availability display on the listing, any dates beyond your selected period will be blocked and enquiries will not be accepted.

To change your selling period:

1) Log into http://manage.bookabach.co.nz
2) Go to Property Settings > Preferences
3) Where it says “Accept bookings” choose between 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15 months and 24 months.

How do I convert a question into a booking?

This article is for: Managers

To convert a question into a booking:
1) Log in and go to Bookings > Questions.
2) Use the “Convert to Booking Request” link beneath the question.
3) Define dates, number of people staying etc. and submit this.

The system gives you the option to send an email to your rental guest.

How are Rental Contact Preferences used?

This article is for:

If you are the Rental Contact for the property we ask you to provide two important pieces of information:

Preferred contact method lets us know whether to request people requesting a booking to follow up with a phone call. If you choose Email (and text) we won’t explicitly request that they follow up with a call.

Response time helps us set expectations on when to receive a response. This is displayed on your listing and in the booking request acknowledgment email.

To set your Rental Contact Preferences go to My Settings > Preferences

How do I order a floorplan (PhotoPlan) for my property?

This article is for: Managers

A floorplan on your listing is a superb way to provide far greater detail about the features of your property that cannot always be captured by a normal photo.

Bookabach has partnered with PhotoPlan to provide you with 2D and 3D floorplans of your property, including up to 20 quality photos providing details about room numbers, room size, the flow between rooms and even furniture positioning.

To order a floorplan go to the Rental Resources section of the website and follow the links (My Bookabach > Rental > Resources). Floorplans and photography cost $299* (normally $365).

Bookings are scheduled between 10 October and 20 December in selected areas. Appointments are only available between the advertised dates and are only available in certain locations. Click here to find out when PhotoPlan will be in your area.

How do I add special deals to my listing?

This article is for: Managers

Providing one or more special deals on your listing is a good idea. By doing so your listing will appears in any searches that are filtered on "Special Deals". We offer the following special deal settings:

Last minute discounts are a way for you to entice people to make a last minute decision to take a break. It also helps to sell unsold nights. Use one of these if you were rather the place be occupied, but at a lower rate, rather than empty.  You nominate how far into the future you consider "last minute" and what percentage discount you are willing to offer for these nights.

Mates Rates discounts are a powerful tool for incentivising members of Bookabach with a clear rental track record. If you are willing to discount to get a good tenant than set-up a Mates Rate discount. You define what discount level (percent) and what minimum member star rating is required to get this discount.

Multi-night stay discounts are an incentive for people to extend their stay for a longer period than they would otherwise - which increases spend.  You nominate how many nights needed to qualify for a one-night discount.  The night discounted is the "lowest cost night".

Lastly, gifts and giveaways are a small but noticeable addition to your listing.  It can be simple as "a bottle of wine" or "free fish bait".  It all helps demonstrate your hospitality!

How do I change the period of time in the future I wish to accept a booking for?

This article is for: Managers

On Bookabach, your price-availability display will allow renters to request a booking for a set period in the future. To increase or decrease this period of time, you need to go to Property Settings > Preferences.

You can then select the period of time, from 3 months to 24 months, that you wish to accept a booking request.

How do I set up a multi-night stay discount on my listing?

This article is for: Managers

A multi-night stay discount will encourage people to take a longer holiday than they otherwise would.  The option of getting a good deal by staying longer can be quite compelling.

To enter a multi-night stay discount on your listing:
1) Log into the owner/manager website
2) Go to Listing > Pricing & deals
3) Click the link called Set up special deals in the Special deals box (right side of screen). This gets you to the Special deals page.  Then:
4) Click the “Edit” link on the right side of the multi-night stay discount box.
5) Select how many nights into the future you wish to apply a free night too, and select any exclusions you wish to apply the discount to. If you have any additional conditions, write this in the space provided.
6) Check the ‘show deals on my listing’ box, and submit your changes.

Who gets charged Performance Plan Success Fees?

This article is for: Managers

Performance Plan Success Fees are charged the day after completion of a stay.  The Success Fee is charged to the Billing Contact - the Bookabach member who either chose the Peformance Plan for this bach, or changed the Success Fee associated with this bach.

We show the Billing Contact information on the My Bookabach > My Account page.

I manage multiple properties.  How do I order a printed sign for each property?

This article is for: Managers

Every printed sign displays a unique website link (URL) to your Bookabach listing. If you have a number of bach listings with Bookabach it is important that each sign is customised for the appropriate bach. To order a sign for each of your properties;

1. Log-in and go to the Resources page (Manage > Resources).
2. Select the bach you want the sign for from the Select bach  box.
3. Follow the link to order your sign. This will take you to the Sabre Signs website where your order will be taken.
4. To order a sign for a different bach, return to the Resources page, select another bach and repeat step three.

This will ensure you receive the correct printed customised signage for each property.

How do I get my property included in the Weekly Deals newsletter?

This article is for: Managers

On Tuesday of every week we send out a Weekly Deals email to all Bookabach members who have opted in to receive this email.  Weekly Deals emails are generated automatically according to the below rules, so please don’t ask us to include your property.

At the moment there’s only room for 6 properties in this email and we choose these randomly from regions around the country.  To get a chance of being in Weekly Deals:
1) Your listing must be Performance Plan (Subscription Plan properties are excluded from Weekly Deals)
2) You must have one or more Special Deals enabled (last minute, multi-night stay and/or gifts and giveaways).
3) You must have clear availability (no bookings or requests) in the next 7-days.

How do I offer a free gifts or giveaways on my listing?

This article is for: Managers

To add any featured deal or giveaway that is not related to a discounted rental tariff in your listing;

1. Log-in to and go to the Pricing & deals page (Listing > Pricing & deals).
2. Select Set-up special deals.
3. Select ‘add’ to the right side of the "free gifts, giveaways and other offers" box, or ‘edit’ to make changes to an existing offer.
4. Enter the offer description, the approximate value, and select whether you want the offer to expire.
5. Check the ‘show this special offer’ on my listing’ box and submit your changes.

Why does Bookabach not accept modified images on property listings?

This article is for: Managers

We do our utmost to provide our renters with the best user experience.  For this reason, it is important for us to maintain a consistent look and feel on our website.  Also, with the wide use of image manipulation software we need to feel confident that pictures on the website reflect reality.  These factors have led to our decision to stipulate that any images uploaded and displayed on listings must be "unmodified".