Communication with Trip app

Question

Hello,

Going for the first time in China in october and decided to use the Trip app to book hotels in advance.

Just realised that I've booked a hotel that described itself as "Homestay", as there is a self check-in.

In my booking confirmation, there is this sentence:

"This property does not have a front desk and will send you a check-in guide, typically several days before your arrival.

If you don't receive a check-in guide, contact the property promptly."

So the question is: How will the property communicate with me?

Using the Trip App?

Email linked with my Trip account?

Call me?

And if I need to contact them, how do I do this knowing that:

1) I will have an e-sim and no phone number

2) I don't speak mandarin.

I seems that in the app, the only way for me to contact them is call them. (I don't see any "chat" features.)

Thanks for your help.

Answer

When booking a homestay or property without a front desk in China through the Trip app, communication about your check-in and any issues is usually handled through the contact information you provided during booking. Typically, the property will send you a check-in guide a few days before arrival. Here’s how it generally works and what to expect:

How the property communicates:

Email: Most commonly, the property will email the check-in guide to the email linked with your Trip app account. Check your inbox and spam folder a few days before arrival.
Trip App notifications: Some properties may also send messages via the Trip app itself, especially if the property is integrated with Trip’s messaging system.
Phone call or SMS: Less commonly, the property may attempt to call or text the number you provided. Since you plan to use an eSIM without a local number, this may not be the primary method.

Contacting the property if needed:

Trip App call feature: Even if you cannot receive local calls, you might be able to make an international call through the app if it allows VOIP. Check the app’s help section for guidance.
Email: Replying to the confirmation or any check-in guide email is usually the most reliable method when you don’t have a local phone number.
Translation support: Since you do not speak Mandarin, using Google Translate or similar apps to write simple messages in Chinese can help. Many hosts are familiar with basic English and can respond, especially for self-check-in instructions.

Tips:

Ensure your email address in the Trip app is correct and active, as this will likely be the main communication channel.
Check the app a few days before your arrival for any messages from the property.
Save any Wi-Fi passwords or local SIM information beforehand to make sure you can receive emails or access the app immediately upon arrival.
If uncertain, contact the Trip app customer support in advance to clarify how the property communicates with international guests using eSIMs.

Overall, email via your Trip account and in-app messages are the safest ways to receive your check-in instructions. Phone calls are secondary, so you should be fine even without a local number.

Communication with Trip app

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