BetterSTR connects directly to Uplisting so your properties and bookings sync automatically and every guest gets their own digital guidebook link. The connection uses your Uplisting API key, which is self-service on every account — no plan upgrade or approval needed. Booking changes arrive within seconds via webhooks that BetterSTR registers for you. This guide walks you through finding the key, connecting it, what syncs, and what to check if something doesn’t look right.
Step 1 — Copy your Uplisting API key
- Log in to Uplisting and open Settings → Connect, or go straight to app.uplisting.io/connect/api.
- Copy the API Key shown on that page.
Step 2 — Connect it to BetterSTR
- In BetterSTR, go to Integrations and choose Uplisting, or head straight to the Uplisting connection page.
- Paste your key into the Uplisting API Key field and click Connect Uplisting.
- BetterSTR validates the key with Uplisting before saving it, then syncs your properties and bookings and registers webhooks on your account automatically.
What syncs, and how fast
- Property details — name, full address, the complete photo gallery, description, amenities, bedrooms, bathrooms, maximum guests and check-in/check-out times. Your guidebook starts out already knowing your place.
- Bookings — guest name, email, phone, party size, stay dates, arrival and departure times, the booking channel (Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Google or direct) and the smart-lock door code for the stay.
- Booking changes — new bookings, changes and cancellations arrive within seconds via Uplisting webhooks, with an hourly sync as a safety net.
- Guidebook links — every booking automatically gets its own unique guest guidebook link, ready to share in your Uplisting message templates.
Uplisting shortcodes in the guide builder
Once connected, the guide builder’s shortcode menu gains two Uplisting categories — Uplisting Fields (property-level values such as the property name, nickname, check-in and check-out times, maximum guests and your direct booking site) and Uplisting Res (per-booking values such as the confirmation ID, party size, booking channel, arrival time, unit name and the door lock code). Insert them like any other shortcode, e.g. {{uplisting_lock_code}}, and they resolve per booking when the guide is viewed — so a guide can hand each guest their own entry code automatically.
Troubleshooting
- “Uplisting rejected the API key” — make sure you copied the key from app.uplisting.io/connect/api and got the whole string. Paste it again and BetterSTR re-validates before saving.
- A booking change isn’t showing yet — webhook updates normally land within seconds, and the hourly sync catches anything missed. If something still hasn’t appeared, open the Uplisting page in BetterSTR and click Sync Reservations.
- Multi-unit properties — bookings on multi-unit Uplisting properties carry their unit assignment, and the unit name is available as the
{{uplisting_unit_name}}shortcode in guides. - Direct bookings have a different confirmation code — channel bookings use the channel’s confirmation code; direct and manual bookings use Uplisting’s own booking reference. Both work the same in guides and search.
- Reconnecting after revoking a key — if you rotate or revoke the key in Uplisting, use Update API Key on the Uplisting page in BetterSTR to paste the new one. Webhooks are re-registered automatically.