Promotions on Airbnb

Whether it’s to improve your occupancy rate in low season or to reward those guests who are loyal to your vacation rental, creating promotions on Airbnb can offer you a multitude of advantages as a host. In this guide we tell you what types of promotions exist and how to implement them. Read on!

Why create an Airbnb promotion?

As we mentioned before, offering a promotion on Airbnb can be a good solution to attract bookings in different contexts, for example: a low booking rate, during the low season, a very competitive market with many accommodations available in the same period, or simply to let newcomers know about your vacation rental.

Conditions to offer a personalized promotion

Airbnb has defined some conditions to benefit from the “personalized promotion” feature:

• New Airbnb Plus and Airbnb Luxury listings are not eligible for this service and must have had at least 3 bookings to benefit from it.
• Custom promotions are not currently available in the UK, Australia and China.

How can I create an Airbnb promotion?

To generate more bookings and give a boost to your listing you will need to perform a series of steps beforehand.

Steps to follow to create your promotion on Airbnb

1. Access the booking calendar of your vacation rental on Airbnb.
2. Click on the “Promotions” tab.
3. Choose the dates you want to offer a promotion on Airbnb.
4. Set a discount of at least 10% on the price per night.

Airbnb tip: create a promotion for at least 7 consecutive nights to increase your chances of appearing in search results.

Airbnb promotions: 4 types to take into account

Airbnb weekly or monthly promotion

With the increasing popularity of remote working, long stays have become very popular. That’s why offering a discount on the weekly rental rate or on the final monthly price is a great idea to attract those travelers who are looking for an extended stay. 

• Advantage for hosts: more bookings in the low season.
• Advantage for guests: receive a solid discount.

Airbnb Insights: long-term stays accounted for 20% of gross nights booked in Q3 2021.

Promotion for a “non-refundable booking”

This concept allows hosts to advertise the accommodation at two different prices: standard price or a price 10% cheaper than the standard price but with the difference that the booking is non-refundable in case of cancellation.

• Advantages for hosts: better search results thanks to a more attractive price. You protect yourself from unwanted cancellations. In case of cancellation, you can re-rent and optimize your losses.
• Advantage for guests: offers the traveler the possibility to choose. The lowest price will be displayed, no refund policy.

Early Bird Promotion

The main objective of the Early Bird promotion is to encourage travelers to book early (minimum 1 month in advance), allowing you to fill your booking calendar well in advance.

• Advantage for hosts: create a sense of desire and urgency in the traveler. “Don’t miss out on this offer”, “Don’t wait until it’s too late”, which encourages them to book with you.
• Advantage for guests: enjoy competitive pricing for booking early.

Discount for last minute bookings

Last minute discounts are useful for special dates such as holidays and high occupancy months such as July and August.

• Advantages for hosts: It allows you to fulfill last minute requests and fill your calendar. This discount can be used, for example, when bookings are low.
• Advantage for guests: an attractive last-minute price, as it is usually the other way around (prices usually become more expensive).

Why do prices change when creating a customized promotion?

For this calculation, Airbnb studies prices over a 30-day period. When creating a promotion, Airbnb calculates the average price for a month: the difference between the lowest and the highest price. This way, you can be sure that the new price offered to travelers will be a promotion because it is lower than the normal price on X date.

What are Airbnb special offers?

A potential guest can contact you before booking to find out more about your accommodation or for a special request. You may also offer a special offer with a customized rate. In this case, the traveler has 24 hours to accept the offer and the booking is automatically confirmed. If the booking has already been made in advance, the special offer is not possible, but a discount (at a reduced rate) can be made by modifying the booking details.

How can I send a special offer to a guest on Airbnb?

It is advisable to check the availability calendar to see if the dates would work. Then follow these simple steps:

• Open the traveler’s message in your inbox.
• Click on “Special Offer.”
• In the “Subtotal” section, point to the special rate.
• Finally, click on “Send special offer”.

Is it possible to send several offers at the same time?

Yes, it is possible, but potential guests should be informed for transparency and clarity. Let them know that other people are likely to be interested in the same dates. Then, the first person to accept the offer will get the reservation.

How can I promote my Airbnb discount outside the platform?

You can, for example, announce the promotion on the vacation rental’s social networks or in an informative email. This way the information will reach as many people as possible and possibly attract former customers who already know your vacation rental and had a good experience in the accommodation.

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