You can configure Channel Connect to send adjusted rates to your OTAs and metasearch channels, and control how those adjustments are reflected in your PMS reservations. This article walks you through setting a rate multiplier and surcharge, configuring the CRS reservation checkbox, and testing your setup end to end.

Customers contracted for the CRS Channel Manager (Channel Connect) benefit from direct integrations with 2000+ major global and local OTAs and leading metasearch platforms, giving you broad visibility across the channels that matter most. Rate offsets or multipliers can be applied to amend the values sent out to some or all channels to meet requirements, normally around tax display.

Configure the rate multiplier and surcharge in Channel Manager

The channel manager uses two fields to control outbound rate adjustments: one for the rate calculation, and one for an additional surcharge.

Formula

OTA Rate = (PMS Base Rate × Rate Multiplier) + Surcharge

Example: ($100 × 1.15) + $5 = $120 displayed on the OTA.

Where to set these values

Configuration level	Use when...
Property level (Default Multiplier / Default Surcharge)	All room types use the same tax rate or markup. You want a consistent adjustment across all inventory. Recommended starting point, simplest to manage and least error-prone.
Room rate level (Rate Multiplier / Surcharge per room type)	Different room types require different tax amounts or fees. Specific rooms (for example, suites) carry additional surcharges. You need to set the applicable number of guests per room type.

Configure an offset at property level

Go to Chain Manager.
Go to Channel Connect Manager.
Go to Channel Mapping.
Click on the channel to edit.
Click Edit.
Enter the default multiplier.
Enter the default surcharge, if used.
Click Next to save.

Configure an offset at room rate level

Go to Chain Manager.
Go to Channel Connect Manager.
Go to Channel Mapping.
Click on the channel to edit.
Click Map for the room type you want to enter an offset for.
Choose the property in the modal.
Select the rate and room type associated from the dropdowns.
Enter the multiplier amount as required.
Click Save.

📌 Note: If a property level multiplier is entered, it's visible on each room/rate mapping for reference. This amount can also be changed at the room/rate level if it needs to differ from the property level. Changing the property level multiplier gives a warning that this action will also change all room/rate level entries, you can then amend individual room/rate combinations as required.

Configure the CRS reservation rate checkbox

You can use the 'Post Reservation Rate after Tax' checkbox in CRS to remove any offsets from inbound reservations, if they were applied when the rate values were sent to the channel.

Go to Chain Manager.
Go to External Booking Channel.
Choose SHR Channel Connect from the dropdown in the upper right.
Go to the Channel Setup tab and select the 'Post Reservation Rate after Tax' checkbox to have the offset removed from the inbound reservation.
Click Save.

✅ Check this box when...	❌ Leave unchecked when...
You are using a CM multiplier other than 1.0 (for example, adding tax). You are using a surcharge to add fees to the OTA rate. You want the PMS reservation to show the exact rate the guest saw and booked on the OTA. This applies to the vast majority of properties.	Your CM multiplier is exactly 1.0 and surcharge is 0 (no adjustment at all). Your PMS rates already include tax and no CM adjustment is being applied. Your accounting process specifically requires the PMS to store the pre-adjustment base rate.

📌 Tip: When in doubt, select the checkbox. For any property using a rate adjustment in CM, checking this box ensures your PMS reservation matches what the guest saw on the OTA, eliminating front desk discrepancies at check-in.

Test your configuration

Before activating your live channels, complete the following verification steps.

Create a test rate in CM. Apply your configured multiplier and surcharge to a test rate code.
Verify the rate on the OTA test channel. Confirm the adjusted rate displays correctly, using the formula OTA Rate = (PMS Rate × Multiplier) + Surcharge.
Make a test reservation. Book through the OTA test channel at the displayed rate.
Check the reservation in CRS/PMS. Confirm the rate posted to the PMS matches your expected outcome based on your checkbox setting.
Compare to the guest confirmation. The rate shown to the guest must match the PMS reservation.
Test multiple room types. If using room rate level settings, verify each room type at different occupancy levels.

Configuration examples

The following examples show how common Tax Tab configurations map to the new channel manager setup.

Example 1: Add 10% tax to OTA rates (most common scenario)

Scenario: The PMS or CRS stores base (pre-tax) rates, and the OTA must display rates with 10% tax included.

Old Out Tax Percent: 110% (OutRatio = 11000).
Old Out Tax Flat: 0.
Old In Tax Percent: 91% (InRatio = 9091).
Old In Tax Flat: 0.
New CM Rate Multiplier: 1.1.
New CM Surcharge: 0.
New CRS Checkbox: Checked, Post Reservation Rate after Tax.

Result: $100 PMS rate → $110 displayed on OTA → $110 posted to PMS reservation.

Example 2: Apply a 10% discount plus $10 off

Scenario: A promotional OTA rate offers a 10% discount plus an additional $10 reduction.

Old Out Tax Percent: 90% (OutRatio = 9000).
Old Out Tax Flat: -10.
Old In Tax Percent: 111% (InRatio = 11111).
Old In Tax Flat: +11.11.
New CM Rate Multiplier: 0.9.
New CM Surcharge: -10.
New CRS Checkbox: Checked, Post Reservation Rate after Tax.

Result: $100 PMS rate → $80 displayed on OTA → $80 posted to PMS reservation.

Example 3: Add 15% tax plus a $5 resort fee

Scenario: The OTA rate must include 15% tax and a $5 resort fee on top of the PMS base rate.

Old Out Tax Percent: 115% (OutRatio = 11500).
Old Out Tax Flat: +5.
Old In Tax Percent: 87% (InRatio = 8696).
Old In Tax Flat: -4.35.
New CM Rate Multiplier: 1.15.
New CM Surcharge: +5.
New CRS Checkbox: Checked, Post Reservation Rate after Tax.

Result: $100 PMS rate → $120 displayed on OTA → $120 posted to PMS reservation.

Example 4: No adjustment needed

Scenario: The PMS already stores tax-inclusive rates, so no modification is required.

Old Out Tax Percent: 100% (OutRatio = 10000).
Old Out Tax Flat: 0.
New CM Rate Multiplier: 1.0 (or leave as default).
New CM Surcharge: 0 (or leave blank).
New CRS Checkbox: Unchecked.

Result: $100 PMS rate → $100 displayed on OTA → $100 posted to PMS reservation.

Troubleshoot common issues

Reservation rate doesn't match what the guest booked

Symptom: The guest saw $110 on the OTA, but the PMS reservation shows $100, or vice versa.

If the guest saw $110 but the PMS shows $100, select the 'Post Reservation Rate after Tax' checkbox in CRS.
If the guest saw $100 but the PMS shows $110, clear the checkbox in CRS.

OTA is displaying incorrect rates

Symptom: Rates on the OTA don't match what you expected based on your PMS base rates.

Verify your multiplier conversion: CM Multiplier = CRS OutRatio ÷ 10,000.
Check whether adjustments are configured at property level or room rate level, room rate settings override property level defaults.
Confirm the applicable number of guests setting matches your PMS rate structure.
Test with a single room type first before applying property-wide settings.

Some room types are showing wrong rates

Symptom: Most room types look correct, but one or more are showing unexpected amounts.

Review each affected room type's individual configuration in CM, room rate level settings override property level defaults.
Remove any unintentional room rate level overrides so the property level default applies correctly.

How is this different from the Tax Tab in the External Booking Channel menu?

EBC Tax Tab (previous)	Channel Manager (new)
OutRatio: percentage multiplier (for example, 11000 = 110%).	Rate Multiplier: decimal format (for example, 1.1 = 110%).
OutOffset: fixed dollar amount added to the outbound rate.	Surcharge: same fixed amount, same logic, direct transfer.
InRatio + InOffset: manually calculated reverse formula.	'Post Reservation Rate after Tax' checkbox in CRS. This checkbox affects all bookings coming through Channel Manager and can't be applied by subchannel or room/rate combination.
Applied per rate code on the EBC setup screen.	Configured at property level or room rate level in the channel manager.
Separate inbound and outbound configurations required.	One outbound configuration plus one checkbox, a complete setup that minimises errors.

Configure rate multipliers and surcharges in Channel Manager