The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

How To Navigate Your FlipKey Property Listing

Posted: 12 May 2011 07:25 AM PDT

So you've decided to take advantage of our free trial. You've set-up a new account, but now what?! Here's a little tutorial for owners who are new to FlipKey, or perhaps for owners who are not yet members of the site, but would be interested in joining. Take a peek below for all of the areas available for customization of your individual property listing, and start rolling in those inquiries!

Photobucket Once your account has been activated and listed up on FlipKey and TripAdvisor, owners have a multitude of resources available 24/7 to help maximize your listings:

Edit your listing
Add new photos
Update your calendar
Invite guests to leave reviews

All of this functionality is available to you anytime during your free trial and beyond.

When you log-in, you will be brought to your Dashboard (pictured above), which is a snapshot of the most important components of your listing. At the top, you will see Review and Inquiry information, including the most recent reviews and the most recent inquiries received. You will also see your Active Properties, where your new property listing(s) will now be shown. Here you will see the total number of page views for your individual listing, the total number of inquiries, and the average guest rating (on a scale of 1-5 stars). If you have multiple properties, then each listing will have it's own metrics. Click on the photo of your property to view your listing as a traveler would see it – pretty neat!

In the Dashboard, you will find three very useful buttons, that each allow you to adjust your listing in some way:

1.) Collect reviews

Collect reviews from past guests through your personal listing page. This function makes it much easier to solicit reviews, and provides guests a simple way to leave their feedback
Send review requests directly via FlipKey allows you to keep track of who you have contacted, and who has provided a response

2.) Update Calendar

You can use the calendar to mark off dates as they become booked by guests (brought to you by FlipKey or otherwise), in order to keep potential guests as up-to-date and informed as possible
Make sure to black out dates when you plan to stay in your vacation home!

3.) Edit Listing

Edit the Overview, Details, Photos, Rates and Availability sections of your listing
Add new photos, boast about your amenities, and provide guests with personalized property information

To the left, you also have some additional screen options, which allow for further personalization of your listing page: The Dashboard is your main landing page. You also have…

The Guest Reviews section, where you can collect, approve and manage guests reviews as them come in.
The Inquiries tab allows you to track each inquiry that has come from your FlipKey listing.
Publishing Tools offers useful widgets that you can install on your own personal website or blog. Installing widgets is a great way to bring your FlipKey reviews and ratings to an even larger audience.
The Account section is where you can edit your profile, which contains your contact information and inquiry preferences. This section also contains your secure billing information.

During the FlipKey free trial, we encourage you to explore all of these areas, to make your listing the best it can be. There's also a great Owner Help Center to check out for any frequently asked questions. Of course, you can leave them here too! You provide the properties, and we provide the service to make them shine.

How to Pack for a Family Vacation in Carry-On Bags

Posted: 11 May 2011 09:20 AM PDT

As airlines continue to increase their checked baggage fees, travelers are getting around the extra cost by carrying on luggage. For families traveling together, this strategy can be challenging. Deciding what to bring and what to leave home is a difficult choice for everyone. Here’s some advice on how to pack everything you need for a family vacation in carry-on bags.

1. Share the Stuff

Sit down as a family to make a master packing list. You can use the list to make sure nothing is duplicated, such as toothpaste or other toiletries. In addition, consider packing items that can be shared, such as a paperback book that everyone’s been anxious to read. Also be sure to check with the rental property to see what is included so that you don’t pack anything you don’t need, such as towels or toilet paper.

Travelers should also remember that, at most destinations, a pharmacy or grocery store is nearby. Sometimes buying that toilet paper or toothpaste once you reach your destination is a good way to save on luggage fees. Also, if anything essential was forgotten, it can be purchased again.

2. Whittle Down the "Wants"

Carefully choose which clothing, accessories, toys, and other items each person packs. For clothes, put together an outfit for each person for each day – remember to mix and match items such as sweaters and pants that can be worn more than once! Then, roll each item up individually to pack into a suitcase. Also keep in mind that laundry facilities may be available; if this is the case, just plan to do a load or two of laundry at the destination instead of over packing.

Now is also a good time to pack those garments or other items that only have one more use out of them (such as almost-empty toothpaste tubes or shirts with a yet-unnoticeable hole) – pack them, use or wear them, and toss them. You’ll make more room for souvenirs on the way home.

Shoes take up a lot of space, so only take the pairs you need. Pack them around the outer perimeter of the suitcase and tuck socks and other small items into them.

Ask kids to pick no more than one or two favorite toys to bring with them, and remind them that the rest will be safe at home when they get back.

3. Suitcase Smarts

Each family member should be responsible for at least one bag. For young kids, this can be a small roller bag or a backpack that isn’t too heavy for them. Help them pack their essentials (read: toys) in these bags, along with a change of clothes and any other important items. Then, on the plane, they can keep the bags stored under the seat in front of them, saving space in the overhead bins for the larger suitcases.

Packing for a family vacation in carry-on bags means bringing no more than you need. Pack smartly by deciding as a family what everyone will bring on the trip and making sure to keep it simple.

Teresa J. Shaw is a Michigan-based writer specializing in travel and family content. Read more of her work at www.teresajshaw.com and follow her on Twitter @TeresaShaw.

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Thursday, May 12, 2011