Attracting guests to book your rental in a competitive market can be challenging for short-term rental hosts. That’s where offering an Airbnb weekly discount can make all the difference. Not only does it help you secure longer bookings and steady income, but it also makes your listing page more appealing to budget-conscious travelers. This guide will walk you through the benefits of offering a weekly discount and how to optimize it for better performance.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
What Is an Airbnb Weekly Discount?
An Airbnb weekly discount is a booking strategy where hosts offer guests a reduced nightly price for reservations lasting seven consecutive nights or more. By providing a discount for weekly stays, you hit two goals at once. Firstly, it incentivizes longer bookings, helping reduce gaps in your rental calendar. Secondly, it makes your listing stand out to travelers looking for deals, attracting more eyes to your property.
Why Offering a Weekly Discount Is a Smart Move
If you’re wondering whether offering a weekly discount is worthwhile, here are some compelling reasons for implementing this strategy in your short-term rental business.
1. Encourage longer stays
Guests who plan extended stays, work remotely, or need a temporary place to stay often prefer week-long stays over traditional hotels. A discounted rate motivates more guests to choose your property over others offering only nightly rates.
2. Minimize turnovers
Every turnover (cleaning, restocking, and resetting the rental) adds to your workload and expenses. Weekly bookings help reduce the number of turnovers, saving you both time and money.
3. Secure a steady income
Short-term rentals often experience gaps between bookings. A weekly discount can encourage guests to fill these slots, providing a more predictable income stream and higher occupancy rate.
4. Improve your listing’s visibility
Airbnb’s algorithm prioritizes listings with attractive pricing for specific stay durations. Using a weekly discount may help to make your listing rank higher in search results for week-long bookings.
5. Stand out among the competition
Offering a discount gives your listing a competitive edge, especially in markets saturated with properties. Budget-conscious guests are more likely to choose discounted rentals over pricier alternatives.
Pro Tips to Maximize the Impact of Airbnb Weekly Discounts
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of this pricing strategy while encouraging long-term stays:
Choose the right discount percentage
Finding the sweet spot for your discount is crucial. Too high, and you may lose potential revenue. Too low, and it may not appeal to guests. Research similar properties in your area to determine a competitive rate.
Promote your discount
Don’t just rely on Airbnb’s search algorithm. Highlight the added discount in your listing title or description to grab attention. For instance, “10% Off Weekly Stays” can help you stand out.
Pair discounts with value-added perks
Enhance your offering by including perks like removing midstay cleaning fees, a welcome basket, or detailed local guides. Guests will appreciate the added value, making your property even more desirable. Especially if they’re browsing for a strong monthly price.
Use dynamic pricing tools
Platforms like Host Tools integrate with Airbnb (and other booking platforms) and help you adjust your pricing for weekends, holidays, or low-demand periods while maintaining your weekly discount. This ensures your property remains competitively priced in all scenarios.
Monitor performance and adjust
Evaluate the performance of your weekly discount strategy periodically. If you’re not seeing results, increase the discount slightly or experiment with tailored messaging to convey the offer better.
Examples of Airbnb Weekly Discounts
Below are some examples of how you can structure effective weekly discounts for your guests’ length of stay:
- 10% Off the Original Price for Weekly Stays: A modest discount that appeals to travelers while preserving your profit margin.
- 15% Off for Extended Getaways: A lower price that is ideal for encouraging one- or two-week stays, especially during off-peak seasons.
- 20% Off for Digital Nomads: Monthly discounts aimed at remote workers who are looking for a comfortable place to stay for an extended period and save money.
- Seasonal Weekly and Monthly Discount Packages: Offering specific discounts during slow months, such as 12% off for weekly bookings in winter or fall.
- Custom Promotions for Frequent Guests: Tailored offers with 15% or more off for returning guests who book a week or longer.
Final Thoughts
An Airbnb weekly discount is a powerful tool to attract more bookings, secure predictable income, and reduce vacancies. As a host, it is essential to plan and strategize discount offers carefully to ensure maximum returns. By analyzing your property’s demand patterns, competition, and market trends, you can create customized discounts that will benefit both you and your guests. Plus, regularly reviewing and adjusting your discount strategy can help keep up with changing market conditions and maintain a competitive edge in the Airbnb marketplace.
Additionally, tools like Host Tools can help automate your rental management, saving you time and effort. Whether it’s syncing listing calendars, optimizing pricing, or automating messages, these features allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering an exceptional guest experience.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!