Common Getting Started Questions

This section details all the information you need to know and refers you where to sign up for a developer account and start using the API immediately.

Why do I need to register to gain access to your APIs?

  • EAN has selected Mashery to power the Developer Hub and make our APIs publicly available to interested developers.  Mashery is providing API key and issue management for all EAN APIs. The registration process gives you test access, which you can use during the development of your application or site.

What is an API key?

  • An API key is a code that provides you with access to an API. API keys are used to track how the API is being used in order to prevent malicious use or abuse of the terms of service.

What is a shared secret?

  • A shared secret is a piece of data only known to the parties involved in a secure communication. In the case of the EAN APIs, a shared secret is issued to you along with your API key(s) and is one of two ways EAN can authenticate requests made by the application or site you build using the API.

How do I decide whether to use a shared secret or IP-based authentication?

  • Use shared secret authentication if you're developing an application that doesn’t make requests from a static set of IP addresses. For example, client mobile applications and browser-based Ajax applications will not use a static set of IP addresses.
  • If you’re not developing an application of this kind, choose either IP-based or shared secret authentication. If selecting shared secret authentication, additional development is required to implement.

Does having an API key mean I can make live bookings through your APIs?

  • No. When you first receive your key, it is authorized to make test (static) bookings only, and it will be restricted to a limit of 5 queries per second or 500 queries per hour. Any bookings made at this test access level will automatically be void. In order to make live bookings, submit an application for your site to Go Live.
  • Read about our Go Live Process for more information.

How do I implement my Key?

  • XML Schema http://api.ean.com/ean-services/rs/hotel/v3?_wadl&type=xml&apiKey=[xxxYourAPIkeyxxx]
  • Web Services / SOAP WSDL: http://api.ean.com/ean-services/ws/hotel/v3?wsdl&?apiKey=[xxxYourAPIkeyxxx]
  • Connect directly to the WSDL for Version 3 when generating Web Services class files. Downloadable WSDL/Schemas have been eliminated. 
  • Note that schemas may be updated and the latest schema is always what is available online. 
  • Keep an archive of the schema implemented if regeneration of class files is needed.

What are the rate limits set on my keys?

  • Keys are issued with test access and are restricted to a ratio of 5/500 queries per second/queries per hour. The rate limits set on your keys when you Go Live will be advised once you have been approved by EAN.

How do I get new keys?

  • Keys are grouped together within an Application. If you need additional keys – for example, if you’re building a new site – simply create a new Application from within My Applications. When you create the new Application, you'll be able to select the new keys you need. You may only have one Hotel API key per Application.

How do I delete keys? What is the impact if I delete a key?

  • From within My API Keys you can delete any key. Deleting your key disables access to the API to which the key relates. For example, if you delete a key that only had test access, you’ll no longer be able to make hotel test bookings. If you wish to go live again after deleting a key and receiving a new one, embed the new key in your application or site before requesting another Go Live review.

What is an Application? How do keys relate to Applications?

  • An Application is the container for each individual Hotel API key, and is also the basis upon which you request to Go Live. An API key is to an Application as a license plate is to a car.

How do I get a new Application? Why would I want one?

  • You can get a new Application by clicking "Create a New Application" within My Applications. A new Application may be appropriate for a redesigned site or a spin-off business. Perhaps you’d like multiple hotel keys for a set of location-targeted sites, in which case you’d need an Application for each key, since only one key can be included in an Application.

I’m using Hotel API 200631. Can I access reports from within Mashery?

  • No. Reporting is only available on the most current Hotel Version 3. Version 200631 has been deprecated. You can find more information about Hotel API Version 3 in our Documentation

What reports can I access?

  • Within the Developer Hub reporting suite, you'll have access to near-real-time information about your current period rate limit and when the rate limit period resets. Current reports include selectable periods of time (today, last 7 days, this month, last month) and charts which will display total calls, top calls by method, and errors received.  Each of these reports can also be exported to a CSV for offline consumption.

What do I need to start developing and making test calls against the EAN API?

  • A good to place to start is our Getting Started guide. Note that if you aren't already a member of the Expedia Affiliate Network and do not have a CID, you'll need to use the test CID of 55505 to make your test calls.

What are the requirements to Go Live?

I’m an existing affiliate with multiple CIDs. Which CID should I enter in the Go Live request?

  • Enter the Parent CID in your Go Live Request and include any additional information about other sites you're planning to release.

Is it possible to change the CID assigned to an application after Go Live has been approved?

  • Yes, contact the API team to make the change in the system.

What limits will be set when my site or application is approved to Go Live?

  • Your rate limits will be advised when you apply to Go Live, based on your expected call volumes and any special commercial arrangements you have with EAN.