Will my customer get a hotel confirmation number they can show at check in?

Yes, in almost every case your customer receives a voucher with a reference on it that the hotel can use to find the booking. What differs is which reference appears. There is usually your own booking number, which is generated by your portal and is mainly for you and your customer, and a supplier reference, which is the number the hotel supplier holds. On top of that, many bookings also carry the hotel's own confirmation number, the one the property itself issues in its system.

Whether that hotel number is there depends on the supplier and on the rate. Some suppliers confirm instantly with the property and pass the hotel number straight back, so it prints on the voucher right away. Others confirm the booking with you first and only pass their own reference, because the property is contacted a little later. In that situation the supplier reference is enough, as the front desk looks the guest up by name and date, or calls the supplier if they cannot find it. Some bookings also show the hotel number only after a short delay, once it comes back from the property.

Because this sits with the supplier and not with your website, we cannot promise a hotel number on every single booking. What we can do is make sure the voucher is clear, shows every reference that was returned, carries the guest name, dates and room type, and is sent to your customer in your own branding so they have something solid to present at the desk.

Before you go live, make one test booking with each supplier you have connected and look at exactly what comes back on the voucher, then tell your staff which reference to quote if a guest ever calls from reception.