Broker channels fill the seats your own website cannot reach — but only once availability syncs automatically. This guide covers which brokers to approach, how to get a supplier agreement, and how the technical connection runs over Carhire Manager Web's OpenTravel-standard SOAP and REST API.
Every broker relationship starts the same way: you approach the platform and sign your own supplier agreement with it. The commercial terms — commission, payment flow, cancellation policy — are negotiated between your company and the broker. No software vendor can do this part for you, and you should be suspicious of any that claims otherwise.
The well-known channels Carhire Manager Web connects to, and what each is good for:
Each platform has a supplier sign-up process — typically an online application covering your company details, locations, fleet size and insurance. Approval time varies from days to a few weeks depending on the platform and season. You can hold agreements with several brokers at once; most operators do, since each channel reaches a different audience.
One caution before you go further: only switch on broker channels once availability can sync automatically. Taking broker bookings while updating availability by hand causes double-bookings, and the resulting cancellations damage your ranking on the platform you worked to join.
This is the part Carhire Manager Web handles. The system exposes OpenTravel Alliance-standard SOAP and REST interfaces — the industry standard brokers, franchises and corporate clients integrate against — so there is nothing custom to build. With the user licence, the APIs and the channel connections built on them are included at no extra cost. With the SaaS option, your first five broker connections are free of charge, and a fee applies for each additional connection.
For each broker, your locations, vehicle groups, equipment and rates are mapped to the platform over the interface. If you also run a franchise, the same approach covers the corporate systems: Sixt International (Cobra), Budget International (Maestro) and Global International (Karve).
From then on the channel runs itself:
Rates are held per agent in the back office, so each broker can carry its own pricing alongside your own website's. Bulk changes are quick with Excel import and export, and if you use yield management, prices move with occupancy on their own. The practical routine: review each channel's volume and commission cost monthly, and shift pricing toward the channels that earn best per booking day.
Yes. The supplier relationship with Booking.com, Rentalcars.com, Cartrawler, Skyscanner, Discovercars or any other platform belongs to your company. Carhire Manager Web provides the technical connection between that account and your back office.
It depends on your option. With the user licence, there are no extra costs — the OpenTravel-standard SOAP and REST APIs and the channel connections built on them are included. With the SaaS option, five broker connections are included free of charge, and there is a fee for each additional connection.
Yes. The same OpenTravel Alliance SOAP and REST interfaces that brokers integrate against are available for your own website, partners and custom systems.
The cancellation flows into Carhire Manager Web automatically and the vehicle frees up on your fleet chart — no manual work.
Back office, booking website, broker APIs and CRM in one platform — every feature included, from €0.20 per booking day.
