Clarification for empty Rate-Elements in Overlay messages
Since 2017-10 the document in the Chapter RatePlans/Synchronization says:
RatePlanNotifType = Overlay
The server updates the rate plan (identified by RatePlanCode) using the received data. Elements that are not transmitted are not touched, elements that are transmitted are completely replaced (including all subelements). Since empty elements replace existing elements, sending empty elements can be a means to delete them (see clarification below). In case of supplements or rates, only date depending data may be sent within this message, thus supplements or rates cannot be deleted with an Overlay message. Supplements might be set as not available, though. Offers cannot be changed with an Overlay message. In order to update offers, the whole RatePlan has to be sent again (using New ). If the server has no rate plan with the given RatePlanCode, it may ignore the client request but must return a warning if it does.
This text makes me believe that an empty rate element to delete prices (similar to empty BookingRule elements) is no longer allowed in overlay messages.
Ex:
<OTA_HotelRatePlanNotifRQ xmlns="http://www.opentravel.org/OTA/2003/05" Version="6.000" TimeStamp="2021-10-22T19:20:47" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.opentravel.org/OTA/2003/05 OTA_HotelRatePlanNotifRQ.xsd">
<RatePlans HotelCode=„...">
<RatePlan CurrencyCode="EUR" RatePlanCode="TP-HP" RatePlanNotifType="Overlay" >
<Rates>
<Rate InvTypeCode="DZ" Start="2020-12-22" End="2020-12-30“ />
</Rates>
</RatePlan>
</RatePlans>
</OTA_HotelRatePlanNotifRQ>
This was common practice up to version 2015-07b and some partners still use empty rate elements in overlay messages for deletion, also because international channels and OTA show this to be the case.
A conversation with Stephan P. did not reveal any reasons for this change happened from 2015-07b -> 2017-10.
I would like to ask the group to clarify this point, perhaps the text should be formulated better.
Please not also the sentence (page 65 in document 2020-10):
The BaseByGuestAmt elements (at least one must be present) have the following attributes
If empty Rate Elements in Overlay are permitted, this sentence and part of the document should also be clarified regarding the different use in New and Overlay messages.