5 ways to get last-minute bookings

Even the most popular listings have unexpected openings sometimes. Consider these 5 tips for attracting last-minute bookings and maximising your earnings.

Offering a last-minute discount helps give guests an incentive to book. The discount applies to reservations confirmed 1 to 28 days before check-in. 

Guests see a markdown in search results and on your listing page when you offer 10% or more off your 60-day median price. Your discounted price appears beside your original one, which is crossed out. 

To add a last-minute discount:

• Go to the Pricing tab in your listing’s calendar.
• Tap More discounts. 
• Scroll to Last-minute discounts and tap Add a discount.
• Enter the number of days before arrival, between 1 and 28.
• Enter the percentage discount you’d like to offer.

You can vary the discount based on when a reservation is made. For example, you could raise the percentage incrementally as the date gets closer. 

This discount isn’t available when Smart Pricing is turned on.

Reducing your minimum trip length gives guests the option to book shorter stays. 

To change your trip length:

• Go to the Availability tab in your listing’s calendar.
• Tap Minimum nights under Trip length.
• Edit the minimum trip length to the number of nights that works for you.

You can customise this setting by check-in day. For example, some hosts set different minimums for reservations starting on Friday or Saturday than reservations beginning on other days.

Comparing similar listings can help you set a competitive price for unbooked nights. Check the average prices of similar listings in your area for the same dates and consider adjusting your nightly rate. 

To compare similar listings:

• Go to the Pricing tab in your listing’s calendar.
• Select a date range of up to 31 days. 
• Tap View similar listings.

A map of your area will show average prices of similar listings nearby, based on factors like location, size and amenities. Use the buttons on the map to show booked or unbooked listings.

“I’m always checking that my pricing is competitive, so I want to see how much other hosts in my area are getting per night,” says Felicity, a Superhost in New South Wales, Australia. 

Dropping your price for unbooked nights can encourage guests to book your home. Listings priced lower than other similar listings nearby tend to rank higher in search results.

You can adjust your price at any time to meet your earnings goals.

Consider letting guests book closer to check-in to help fill your calendar during slower periods. You can reduce your advance notice or unblock preparation time before and after reservations if you don’t always need it.

“I understand what it’s like to be travelling and need accommodation at the last minute, so I don’t like to put a cap on when a person can send in a booking request”, says Myranda, a Superhost in Little Rock, Arkansas, US. “Even if there’s not someone booked for the very next day, I’ll make sure the space is clean and ready to go.”

To change your advance notice or preparation time:

• Go to the Availability tab in your listing’s calendar.
• Open Advance notice or Preparation time.
• Select the number of days that works for you.

You can also allow requests with shorter notice than your minimum lead time. You’ll be prompted to review and approve these requests.

Hosts were paid for their participation in interviews.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.