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How Do Hotel RFP Tools Integrate with GDS and Online Booking Tools Like Concur?

Introduction

For travel managers, negotiating hotel rates is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in ensuring those negotiated rates flow seamlessly into booking channels like Sabre, Amadeus, Galileo, Worldspan (the major GDSs), and online booking tools (OBTs) such as Concur, Cytric, or Deem. Without proper integration, negotiated discounts and amenities never reach travelers, undermining the entire program.

This is why modern platforms like hotel rfp tool integrated with GDS and Concur are game-changers. They automate rate auditing, streamline GDS exports, and ensure compliance across booking systems. A powerful hotel rfp software like ReadyBid doesn’t just help with sourcing-it ensures your program runs smoothly in practice.

Why Integration Matters

  1. Traveler Access

    • If rates aren’t loaded in Concur or Sabre, employees won’t see preferred hotels.

    • This drives leakage as travelers book outside the program.

  2. Compliance

    • Finance and procurement teams need proof that negotiated rates are being used.

    • Integration ensures correct reporting and duty-of-care visibility.

  3. Savings Realization

    • A negotiated discount is meaningless if the rate is missing from GDS systems.

    • Integration ensures savings translate into actual financial impact.

  4. Operational Efficiency

    • Manual uploads create errors and delays.

    • Automated exports save time and reduce mistakes.

How Legacy Hotel RFP Tools Fell Short

Older providers like Lanyon and Cvent relied heavily on GDS partnerships. While this ensured integration, it also:

  • Locked clients into expensive contracts tied to Sabre.

  • Limited flexibility for non-GDS properties.

  • Required costly add-ons for Concur and OBT integration.

The result? High costs, poor user experience, and frequent compliance failures.

How ReadyBid Integrates With GDS and Concur

ReadyBid was built with integration in mind, ensuring seamless flow from negotiation to booking.

1. Multi-GDS Compatibility

ReadyBid connects directly with:

  • Sabre

  • Amadeus

  • Galileo

  • Worldspan

This ensures negotiated rates load correctly, no matter the system.

2. Concur Integration

Finalized hotel programs can be exported directly into Concur with:

  • Traveler-friendly hotel directories.

  • Correct rate codes and amenities.

  • Location mapping to company offices.

3. Automated Rate Auditing

ReadyBid audits GDS systems multiple times per year to confirm negotiated rates are visible and accurate.

4. Flexible Support for Non-GDS Hotels

Unlike legacy tools, ReadyBid supports both GDS and non-GDS hotels, ensuring coverage in secondary markets.

The Hotel RFP Lifecycle With Integration

Here’s how the process works with a modern hotel procurement tool like ReadyBid:

  1. RFP Creation

    • Travel destinations and past hotel data uploaded.

    • Hotel rfp template selected and customized.

  2. Bid Distribution

    • One-click send to 230,000+ hotels globally.

  3. Negotiation

    • Multiple rounds of negotiation until best rates/amenities are secured.

  4. Final Agreements

    • Contracts completed with correct terms and instructions.

  5. Export to GDS & OBT

    • Final program uploaded to Sabre, Amadeus, Galileo, Worldspan, and Concur.

  6. Rate Auditing

    • Automated checks confirm accuracy.

  7. Hotel Directory

    • Traveler-facing directory updated in real time.

Benefits of Integrated Hotel RFP Tools

  • Time Savings - Automated exports replace manual uploads.

  • Cost Control - Verifies savings are real, not just negotiated.

  • Traveler Satisfaction - Employees see preferred hotels in their booking tools.

  • Compliance - Duty-of-care and procurement reporting are accurate.

  • Flexibility - Both GDS and non-GDS hotels supported.

Real-World Example

A Fortune 500 company negotiated preferred rates with over 400 hotels globally. Before ReadyBid, their Concur integration failed, leaving 30% of hotels invisible to travelers. With ReadyBid:

  • All hotels were mapped correctly.

  • Rates audited across all four GDSs.

  • Traveler adoption increased by 25%, improving compliance and savings realization.

Best Practices for Successful Integration

  • Always audit rates immediately after final agreements.

  • Use a hotel rfp solution with built-in GDS and Concur support.

  • Confirm amenities (Wi-Fi, breakfast) are loaded-not just rates.

  • Conduct quarterly audits to catch issues early.

  • Provide travelers with directories that match what they see in booking tools.

Why ReadyBid Is the Best Hotel RFP Tool for Integration

ReadyBid provides end-to-end integration benefits:

  • Direct multi-GDS exports.

  • Seamless Concur compatibility.

  • Automated rate auditing included.

  • Unlimited RFPs and users for one monthly fee.

  • Support for non-GDS hotels and chain reps.

This makes it the most flexible and reliable best hotel sourcing tool for 2025.

Quick Resources From the ReadyBid Blog

Conclusion

Integration is where many hotel RFP programs succeed-or fail. Without GDS and OBT alignment, negotiated savings are wasted, and travelers book outside policy.

With the hotel rfp tool ReadyBid, corporations and TMCs gain seamless exports, automated auditing, and real-time compliance. Your travelers get access to negotiated hotels in Concur, and your finance team gets proof of savings.

Don’t let integration be the weak link in your program. Book a Demo Today.

ReadyBid - Hotel RFP Made Easy