As a property manager with an extensive portfolio of properties across multiple channels, ensuring that you offer the best to your clients is essential in retaining them and expanding your business. One way to do this is by setting up special discounted rates, which can significantly increase bookings and attract more high-value travelers.
Property managers using Expedia can take advantage of several ways to optimize visibility to boost bookings on their platform. In this article, we explore three of their most powerful options: Refundable Rates, Members Only Rates, and Package Deals. These rate types are proven to draw in more travelers, keep your property competitive, and help you stand out from the crowd.
Why Expedia?
As one of the largest and most trusted travel platforms, Expedia is an essential channel for property managers aiming to maximize their reach. The platform not only connects you with millions of potential guests but also offers exclusive promotional options that allow you to tailor your listings to meet travelers’ specific needs. These promotional features can increase booking numbers, bring in high-value travelers, and ultimately boost your revenue.
The Power of Special Rates
Expedia’s special rates are an easy and effective way to stand out on the platform, as exciting deals and flexible options are deciding factors for travelers. Setting up these rates can increase your property’s visibility, boost click-through rates, and encourage bookings from high-value travelers. Here’s how each of these rate types can help you make the most of your Expedia listing.
1. Refundable Rates: Attract Travelers with Flexibility
For many people, flexibility is a top priority. According to a recent Expedia survey, over half of respondents said they would not book non-refundable accommodation, even if it came at a discount. This preference underscores a strong demand for Refundable Rates, where offering travelers peace of mind can be the key to securing their booking.
Why Refundable Rates Work
When you offer Refundable Rates, your listing gains a “Fully refundable” or “Free cancellation” tag on Expedia’s search results, making it more appealing to travelers. This visual highlight grabs attention and boosts your property’s visibility compared to competitors. In addition, travelers are more likely to book when they know they can cancel if their plans change.
Best Practice for Refundable Rates
To maximize the effectiveness of this rate type, consider offering a 100% refund if cancellations are made up to two days before the stay date. This policy provides maximum flexibility while still protecting your booking. Refundable Rates can also reduce the hesitation some travelers feel when booking far in advance, giving them the confidence to commit to your property over others.
2. Members Only Rates: Tap into Expedia’s Loyalty Program
Expedia’s Members Only Rates attract the platform’s most frequent and loyal customers, who book 2.5 times more often than non-members. These high-value travelers tend to spend more, stay longer, and return frequently, making them a valuable audience for property managers who are looking to offer consistent, higher-paying bookings to their clients.
How Members Only Rates Work
By creating Members Only Rates, you can offer exclusive discounts to Expedia loyalty members across the Blue, Silver, and Gold tiers. Members Only Deals specifically target frequent travelers such as Gold members who spend 22% more on travel. They provide properties with special badging and improved search visibility on Expedia Group sites, helping them stand out.
Properties offering at least a 20% discount through this program can see up to 25% higher booking value compared to similar listings with lower discounts. Your listings gain a competitive edge and help you build rapport with repeat visitors who are more likely to return to your client’s property.
Partners can set these deals in Expedia Partner Central to optimize their revenue, where you can manage your Members Only Deals and ensure your room types and rate plans align with each membership tier. Once the deal is created, your listing will be visible to Expedia’s most loyal users, giving you a unique advantage over properties that only offer standard rates.
3. Package Deals: Boost Visibility and Attract International Travelers
Expedia Group’s package deals, which combine flights, lodging, and car rentals, offer an all-in-one booking experience with exclusive discounts, attracting valuable travelers. These deals are especially popular among international travelers, who make up half of all package bookings, with 20% of these booked via mobile.
Expedia’s Package Deals are a compelling way to appeal to valuable travelers looking for all-in-one bookings that combine flights, accommodations, and often car rentals. These deals are effective in capturing international guests, with global bookings accounting for half of all package bookings on Expedia in 2022. By bundling your rooms with other travel elements, you can increase your booking rate and attract guests who are willing to pay more for convenience.
Why Package Deals Matter
Package Deals offer unbeatable value. According to Expedia’s Traveler Value Index report, 32% of travelers said that discounted packages (such as flight + hotel) are the most appealing offers. These travelers also tend to stay longer and spend more, with package bookings yielding a 29% higher daily rate and 33% longer stays compared to standard bookings.
Setting Up Package Deals
Expedia makes it easy to create package rate plans or promotional offers to suit your business needs. You can set up package rate plans or you can create package promotional offerings. Package rate plans and deals can be evergreen or targeted at specific markets, booking windows, lengths of stay, and date ranges. Another advantage of Package Deals is that only the total package price is visible to the traveler, allowing you to offer discounts without impacting your publicly listed rates.
Maximizing Your Listing’s Potential with Special Rates
Offering Refundable Rates, Members Only Rates, and Package Deals on Expedia are just a few ways to increase your booking potential. By using these rates, you’re catering to different traveler needs and improving your listing’s chances of attracting high-value, loyal guests seeking flexibility. You will drive more bookings and enhance your reputation as a property that prioritizes guests’ wishes and interests.
When setting up and managing your rates, a well-integrated channel manager can help you seamlessly coordinate these listings across Expedia and other booking platforms. Rentals United is the go-to channel manager to increase your channel reach and ensure that you make the most out of Expedia’s special rates.
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