Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a number of Frequently Asked Questions – and our answers – and our answers to vacation rental agencies considering VRA PRO as the software solution to help manage their properties.

General
Pricing
How it Works & Getting Started

General

Q. Is there any limit to the number of properties your Vacation Rental Agency PRO system handle?

A. No, the VRA PRO system can handle an unlimited number of properties.

Q. What if I’m an owner –and not really an agency -- with just one or a couple vacation rental properties? Does VRA PRO still make sense for me?

A. Probably, it makes the most sense to first sign up on our www.myBlueChipRentals.com site to get your property listed. In fact, one property listing is absolutely free. And then you can check out our Blue Chip Rental Pro system (an abbreviated version of VRA PRO) to see if that’s what you need

Q. How long has Vacation Rental Agency PRO been around?

A. A version of this proven system has been used in the European vacation agency market for ten years. VRA PRO has built upon this experience, updated the web-based software, and is focused primarily on the U.S. vacation rental agency market.

Q. Does your system also handle properties outside of the U.S.?

A. We can handle properties in any part of the world as long as they have addresses that can be located on a Google map

Pricing

Q. How much does Vacation Rental Agency PRO cost for us?

A. VRA PRO is affordably priced for any size of vacation rental agency and is provided at no cost for your first 90 days. (and note that the 90-day free trial period starts only after we’ve integrated VRA PRO to your website). You choose a monthly or annual subscription fee that is based solely on the number of properties you manage. See our Pricing & Sign-Up page for a complete pricing schedule.

Q. What does that price include?

A. VRA PRO includes a lot more than any other vacation rental agency software system on the market – and at a lower price:

• Use of the complete web-based system (whichever components you decide to use)
• System Set-up which integrates your website with our online system.
• Training which includes an easy-to-understand online manual and initial training by phone
• Support during business hours by email or phone.
• Listings on the www.myBlueChipRentals.com vacation property listing site
• VRA PRO is all-inclusive, with no hidden charges.

Q. What is www.myBlueChipRentals.com exactly, and what does it cost for us?

A. As part of our commitment to produce a more valuable and fully integrated service to our members, we also provide a vacation rental property listing service on a trusted vacation rental listing site at www.myBlueChipRentals.com. All listings are FREE for VRA PRO clients, and this is a significant added value you receive – that would cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on other listing sites. We believe that by pooling all the properties that we service we can provide significantly better online marketing visibility for our members and a friendly search experience for vacationers. Note that there are optional paid services on myBlueChipRentals.com such as Featured listings, but the basic listing service is FREE for you as a VRA PRO client.

Q. Do we have to pay you commissions or fees for our reservations?

A. No, you pay us a monthly or annual fee to use the system based on the number of properties that you are managing. We do not take any fees or commissions directly related to your reservations.

Q. Do we need to purchase software licenses from you?

A. No, all software fees (and services) are included in the usage fee you pay based on the number of properties you manage on the VRA PRO system.

Q. What payment types do you take from agencies for purchasing your VRA PRO system?

A. We accept major credit cards: MasterCard, VISA, Discover and American Express or checks (only for annual subscriptions).

Q. When do we have to pay you for your system?

A. By the end of the first 90 days (after we’ve integrated VRA PRO to your website) you can pay by credit card or check.

Q. What if we decide to discontinue your system during the first 90 days?

A. We doubt that will happen, but no problem…there is no obligation beyond your first 90 days use of the VRA PRO system.

Q. Does your system let us accept credit cards online from vacationers, and if so, , what does it cost?

A. Assuming you have your own merchant account already, Vacation Rental Agency PRO can enable you to take credit cards online by encrypting your vacationer’s credit card information and then providing it directly to you to run within your own system – at no extra charge.

Q. What if we just want to list our properties on the www.myBlueChipRentals.com site – and not purchase your system at this point?

A. Yes, you can pay to only list properties on www.myBlueChipRentals.com at a fraction of using other listing sites. You would have access to the most basic VRA PRO property listing function (and not any integration with your website, other VRA PRO functions, or access to support services). See www.myBlueChipRentals.com pricing for listing your properties (without using VRA PRO).

How it Works & Getting Started

Q. Will our website look the same as it does currently…after we begin using Vacation Rental Agency PRO?

A. Basically, your site is going to look virtually the same. Depending on the VRA PRO functional items that YOU decide to include there might be slight “look” changes in such things as your search, listing, and calendar pages, but your page design will not change. For example, we will provide you the ability to display your properties on a customized Google-driven map – a very unique feature compared to other agency sites – if that is something you decide you want to show. See our Agency Site example.

Q. What if we want a total site re-design and also include VRA PRO?

A. We can provide you fresh, new, high quality design. Just contact us to find out more. If you need a new site, we will host it for free as long as you are a VRA PRO client. Guaranteed.

Q. Do we need to have a current website to use your system?

A. Although virtually all clients have an existing website, you do not need one to manage and market your properties using the Vacation Rental Agency PRO system. Your listings will automatically be entered on our www.myBlueChipRentals.com listing website, where prospective vacationers will be searching for properties to rent. Inquiries and reservations can be entered on this website and managed by our system. Just log in to your account via our www.vrapro.com site, and you’re ready to manage all aspects of your vacation rentals online—just without an accompanying website (which we would advise having). See our Demo

Q. What kind of technology expertise do we need to use Vacation Rental Agency PRO?

Very little. If you want to integrate your property and other data -- via our system -- into your existing website (which is highly advisable to get the key benefits for your business), then initially (during Set-Up) we will need to contact your website management company. Otherwise, you do not need any IT experience to use our system since the software is fully hosted on our platform.

Q. Do we need to install any software on our PCs?

A. No, our online system is fully hosted on state-of-the-art servers with 99.9% guaranteed up-time. All you need is a PC with an internet connection and browser.

Q. OK, we want to go ahead and use your VRA PRO system. What happens next?

A. Here are the simple steps to get started

Q. How long does it take to start using your system?

A. You can try out the system (not integrated to your site and even list a property), immediately after setting up your account. Then once you’ve approved the simple Terms of Service to integrate VRA PRO to your site, it typically, takes less than 30 days -- depending on the configuration of your existing site, how available your property and reservation data is, the cooperation of your website management firm, etc. And it might only take a few days.

Q. What services do you provide to help us get started?

A. In addition to the free Set-Up of your VRA PRO system, we provide a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use online manual as well as a phone training session to guide you in quickly learning the system. Then, we are also available by phone and email for additional support as long as you are a client.

Q. How do you integrate your VRA PRO system to my current website?

A. Although, this is getting a bit technical (which you do not have to worry about), we have a set-of standard AJAX routines written in JavaScript that retrieve (your property and related) data from our database. During the set-up of your account, we then write other JavaScript routines that take this data and format it so that it appears as it does on your current website. These scripts are then included on your current web pages by your website management company –which is a very simple process for them.

Q. Will we need to re-enter our current property and reservation information into Vacation Rental Agency PRO when we start using it?

A Since VRA PRO is a fully integrated system we need to have your property data in our databases. Initially, we will enter all of your data into our system. Usually, we can extract your current property data (including photos) and reservation data from your database for uploading into our system as part of the initial set-up, or if necessary you can send us a spreadsheet with all of your current property and reservation information, and we will enter it. After the initial Set-Up, you’re in charge of editing, adding, and deleting your property and related information – but we’ll make sure that you’re comfortable doing every step. Note that before VRA PRO is integrated to site, you can enter information for one property – to check out the process – and even see it on www.myBlueChipRentals.com.

Q. What if we already have an online calendar(s) that shows availability per property and property listings on our site and/or other listing sites?

A If you are planning on managing your reservations using the VRA PRO system then we suggest that you replace your current website calendar(s) with a link(s) to the calendar in the VRA PRO system. This a simple link replacement (a very easy process that we’ll guide you through if you need it).

The Calendar, EZ Inquiry Management, & EZ Reservations Management, are tightly coupled (with the other components of the system) so that using one without the others would lead to inconsistency in the reservation process. Once you start working from a single calendar, you’ll be amazed at the improvement in your business workflow and how much time you’ll save. Plus, you eliminate any possibility of double-reservation a property – and losing a customer.

Q. How does your system handle inquiries and reservations?

A. All inquiries, along with any replies you make, are stored in VRA PRO’s secure EZ Inquiry Management. This allows you to keep track of an inquiry thread without having to sort through numerous emails. All inquiries and replies are also automatically sent to you via email at the time of the inquiry/reply. Similarly, all reservations are stored in VRA PRO’s EZ Reservation Management and produce a set of events that are used to monitor the booking from confirmation though to cleaning and damage deposit refund – and then through a review process (per vacationer account).

Q. Do we have to accept reservations(bookings) online via your system – if we don’t want to?

A. We provide you a lot of flexibility to handle reservations however works best for your business. There are three pricing and reservation modes available in the VRA PRO system, and it’s completely your choice what you want to do or not do. They include: 1) Static Pricing 2) Online Pricing and 3) Online Reservations. Read more See our Demo

Q. Can we include reservations that might come in by phone in the VRA PRO system?

A. Absolutely, and you’ll want to…so as to keep all reservations in one place and ensure that you always are showing e.g. the correct availability (and pricing) per property online.

Q. How does your system handle rental agreements and contracts for vacationers?

A. Rental agreements and invoices are created automatically from each confirmed reservation. The VRA PRO system provides a standard rental agreement and invoice for use, but each member may define their own that can be used to create a custom contract or invoice pdf.

Q. How does your system handle rental property key instructions/directions, etc for renters?

A. Key/code instructions, property directions and other information (that you want to provide) can be stored for each property and are shown/emailed to the vacationer automatically once the reservation is finalized (all payments are made).

Q. Does your system handle damage deposits/refunds for renters?

A. Yes, the system keeps track of all payments made relating to a reservation, allowing you to quickly see which payments are outstanding.

Q. How does your system handle notification of housecleaning, security, maintenance and other services?

A. Your VRA PRO portal allows you to enter contact information for all of your contacts. Each booking then automatically shows a list of events (that you determine) that need to be completed. One of these events is a cleaning event. As part of completing this event you may elect to have the system text message/email the housecleaning service as well as you calling them.

Q. Does your system integrate with QuickBooks or our accounting system?

A. The VRA PRO system has its own integrated accounting system with a general ledger that allows you to produce a number of standard reports and accounting records. In addition, all reservations, income, expense and payment records can be exported to files for use outside of the system. You can easily export this information into a comma delimited or Excel file and import it into your own accounting system.

Q. Can our owners view their own property calendars? What changes if any can they make in the listing of their property?

A. Using the VRA PRO system you can easily enable your owners have their own account/ portal that allows them to view their property, property calendar and rental income data. In addition, they may update data related specifically to their house (e.g. number of bedrooms, square footage etc. but maybe not update any listing related data such as pricing, descriptions, photos etc).), add black-out periods on the property calendar… Plus, you can enable multiple owners/per property to access their (selected) property data.

Q. How secure is your VRA PRO system?

A. All data is encrypted and secured in our system – comparable to what happens for a credit card database.

Q. What browsers does your system work on?

A. The VRA PRO system is certified on the most popular browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Opera.

Q. When is your Support available if we need help with the system?

A. If you have any questions or issues once you are up and running on VRA PRO, you’ll always have FREE access to our Support Service which is available during business hours 8:00AM-5:00PM EA Mon-Fri or by email or phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Usually, we’ll be able to respond in one hour or less during business hours.