Common hotel API auth patterns
- API key + secret (Hotelbeds APItude): API key identifies the account, secret signs each request with HMAC-SHA256. Prevents replay attacks.
- OAuth 2.0 client credentials (Amadeus, Sabre): exchange client ID and secret for a short-lived bearer token. Token is passed in Authorization header.
- Basic auth over TLS (Expedia Rapid): base64-encoded credentials in Authorization header, always over HTTPS.
- Header-based API key (many bedbanks): single API key in a custom header like X-API-Key or Api-Key.
Securing production credentials
- Never commit credentials to git. Use environment variables or a secrets manager (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault).
- Rotate credentials at least annually. Rotate immediately on any suspected leak.
- Restrict credential scope to production servers only; do not use production credentials in dev or staging.
- Log authentication failures but never log the credential itself.
- Enforce TLS 1.2+ on every outbound API call. Never disable certificate validation in production.
How Vervotech consolidates auth
Vervotech accepts your per-supplier credentials via encrypted admin dashboard and stores them in AWS Secrets Manager with envelope encryption. Your application authenticates to Vervotech with one API key, and Vervotech handles per-supplier authentication for every downstream request. This means one credential to protect in your app instead of ten.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest way to store hotel API credentials?
Use a managed secrets service (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault, GCP Secret Manager) rather than environment variables or config files. Rotate credentials annually.
Do hotel APIs support OAuth 2.0?
Amadeus, Sabre, and most GDS APIs use OAuth 2.0 client credentials. Bedbanks typically use API key + HMAC. Vervotech consolidates every auth pattern behind one API key.
See it in one Vervotech trial
7-day free trial. 400+ suppliers through one API. No credit card.
Product Tour