If you’re a property manager with an extensive portfolio spanning multiple channels, then you already know that offering the best services and value is essential for client retention and growing your business.
A smart idea you can easily employ in your rental strategy is setting up special discounted rates. These highly customizable rates can be tailor made for different client groups, which can significantly increase bookings and attract more high-value travelers.
If you’re using Expedia (and you probably are), then you can maximize your efficiency by using special rates to boost visibility and get more bookings on this platform.
Let’s take a look at four of the most powerful tools you have available: Refundable rates, Members Only Rates, Package Deals, and Multi Rates.
When you use these as part of your marketing strategy, you will attract more travelers by standing out from the crowd, while keeping your property competitive.
Why Expedia?
Simply put, Expedia is one of the largest and most trusted travel platforms on the market.
It 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 tailored listing options which allow you to appeal to specific groups of travelers. These promotional features can increase your booking numbers, bringing you high-value travelers and ultimately boosting your revenue.
How to set up promotions and special rates on Expedia?
Expedia’s promotions and special rates are an easy and effective way to stand out on the platform.
Exciting deals and flexible options are major deciding factors for travelers, and 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 of your guests, 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 your properties with special badging and improved search visibility on Expedia Group sites, helping them stand out and earn you more successful conversions.
We have seen that 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
You can attract high-value guests by using Expedia Group’s package deals, which combine flights, accommodation, and car rentals, offering an all-in-one booking experience with exclusive discounts.
These deals are especially popular among international travelers, who make up half of all package bookings, with 20% of these booked via mobile.
You are offering your guests convenience, and significant time savings. By bundling your rooms with other travel elements, you can increase your booking rate and you’ll find that most guests are willing to pay more for this service.
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.
Interestingly, 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 for you to create package rate plans or promotional offers to suit your business needs. 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.
4. Multi rates and multi rooms
Property managers who use a multi-rate strategy consistently generate higher revenue from their portfolio.
Expedia’s multi rates empowers property managers with the best tools to maximize their earnings in the market.
Implementing this feature, ensures that clients stay competitive and optimize their pricing strategies to appeal to different target audiences, make more conversions, and increase their overall earnings.
Learn more about how to maximize your revenue with multi rates and multi room features, here.
Promotion strategy made easy: boost bookings, maximize revenue
Expedia’s multi rates allows property managers to set and manage multiple pricing strategies for the same property, tailoring pricing based on booking conditions and guest behavior. You can set a variety of rate plans for different booking conditions (e.g., Non-Refundable, Weekly, Monthly, Promotional).
Another useful option is occupancy-based pricing, where you offer different rates based on the number of guests. Set length-of-stay discounts to encourage extended bookings.
The bottom line? Properties that offer multiple rate plans can earn 3 times more revenue.
But why? By offering a variety of rate options – such as flexible cancellations, different price points, meal packages, long-stay rates, and more – you provide guests with what they truly want: choice.
When guests have options, they are much more likely to make a booking.
Why use multi rates
The benefits of setting up rate options on Expedia are vast, but we have explained in simple terms why you could earn more with a simple, yet effective strategy.
- Increased Revenue: Properties using multi rates on platforms like Booking.com report up to 3x more revenue than those using a single-rate structure.
- Higher Occupancy: By offering non-refundable, long-stay, and promotional rates, property managers can attract diverse guest segments.
- Better Pricing Control: Property managers can strategically offer discounts while maintaining profitability.
- Advanced Pricing Features: Offers occupancy-based pricing, length-of-stay discounts, and last-minute deals—all within one system.
How to tailor multi rates to your rental goals
- Add a non-refundable rate to decrease no-shows.
- Set up weekly or monthly rates to attract long-stay guests.
- Combine flexible and promotional rates to boost occupancy while protecting your profits.
Maximizing your listings potential with special rates and discounts
You now know the hidden potential to unlock bookings, and make more money from Expedia by offering refundable rates, members only rates, and package deals.
If you’re not using promotions or special discounts, you risk empty nights and missed revenue. The good news? By managing bookings and setting up discounts and promotion rates directly through Rentals United, you’ll streamline operations and unlock new revenue with every connection.
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.
Using a well-integrated channel manager like Rentals United, can seriously help you coordinate these listings seamlessly across Expedia and more than 90 other booking platforms.
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