Are you leveraging every opportunity to boost your income through your vacation property? Many hosts must use simple yet effective upsell strategies that could significantly enhance their earnings.
This blog post will delve into identifying moments to offer additional value to your guests, from top-notch housekeeping services to exclusive loyalty programs.
Discover how implementing these techniques can become a seamless part of your marketing strategy, turning one-time visitors into repeat clients. You’ll walk away with actionable insights on communicating upsell offers, measuring success, and implementing strategies that work for your property.
Discover your revenue potential with upsells.
Understanding Upselling in Short-Term and Vacation Rentals
Upselling distinguishes itself from cross-selling and is a pivotal strategy to amplify profit. Strategically offering additional services or amenities complements a guest’s experience while interacting with the property management system.
This approach utilizes personal data to tailor suggestions, fostering favorable pageviews and strengthening the information exchange between guests and hosts. We’ll examine how these upsell practices elevate guest satisfaction and simultaneously contribute to a rental owner’s bottom line.
Popular Ideas to Upsell to Guests in 2025
Pinpointing the perfect moment for upselling can significantly enhance short-term and vacation rental revenue streams. Here are popular ideas that you can use to implement strategic upsells.
1. Early check-in and late check-out
Offering seamless check-in and check-out times that cater to guests seeking convenience is still a guest experience trend in 2025, enhancing their overall experience.
Similarly, late check-out allows guests to enjoy a relaxed departure, particularly appealing to families or those with evening travel plans. These options also create opportunities for incremental revenue while enhancing the guest experience. To streamline this upsell, technology can be used to automate availability checks and offer these services dynamically based on occupancy.
2. Local experiential dining
Food lovers and culture seekers will appreciate unique dining experiences highlighting local cuisine. Offer in-house personal chef services where a local chef prepares a gourmet meal or collaborates with nearby restaurants for curated tasting menus. Expand the offering to include food tours that showcase regional specialties or hands-on cooking classes.
These options add a memorable touch to the guest experience and foster partnerships with local businesses. Highlight these dining opportunities in pre-arrival communications to entice guests to book in advance.
3. Transportation services
Providing transportation options simplifies travel logistics for guests, creating a more seamless experience. Offer airport transfers, rides to local attractions, or vehicle rentals like bikes, scooters, or cars. Partnerships with ride-hailing services can add an extra layer of convenience for properties in urban areas.
In destinations with natural attractions, include options like boat charters or guided shuttles to nearby landmarks. Highlighting the ease and accessibility of these services ensures they appeal to guests looking for hassle-free travel.
4. Amenity and equipment rentals
Make your property more attractive by offering rentals tailored to your location. For example, provide kayaks or paddleboards for waterfront properties, hiking gear for mountain destinations, or baby equipment for family-friendly stays. These services reduce the burden on guests to bring their items while creating an opportunity for extra revenue.
Create rental bundles that match the local vibe, such as “Beach Day Kits” with umbrellas, towels, and coolers. Promoting these offerings during the booking process ensures guests can plan their activities ahead of time.
5. Local tours and experiences
Partner with local businesses to offer guests curated tours and experiences that highlight the unique aspects of your area. Options could include wine tastings, adventure activities like zip-lining, or cultural experiences like art classes or historical tours.
These partnerships benefit your property and local businesses, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Tailor these experiences to your guest demographics—for instance, romantic outings for couples or outdoor adventures for families. Highlight these offerings so guests can make the most of their stay.
6. Mid-stay cleaning
More extended stays can lead to the need for fresh linens and a tidy-up, making mid-stay cleaning a valuable upsell. Market this service as a way for guests to enjoy luxury without lifting a finger.
To elevate the experience, include options like full-service cleaning, laundry, or kitchen restocking. This service can be particularly appealing for families or business travelers, as it saves time and ensures a comfortable environment. Use technology to make booking this add-on as easy as clicking a button.
7. Jet-Lag Recovery Kit
Cater to long-haul travelers with a kit designed to help them recover quickly from jet lag. Include sleep aids like blackout curtains, noise-canceling headphones, and soothing teas.
For rejuvenation, offer a list of local wellness spots, such as yoga studios or spas. This thoughtful addition demonstrates your attention to guest well-being and ensures they start their stay positively.
8. Remote work enhancements
For the growing number of digital nomads, offer a digital concierge to create a productive work environment. Include high-speed internet, ergonomic furniture, and access to local co-working spaces.
Add value with amenities like unlimited coffee delivery, noise-canceling headphones, or curated productivity playlists. A digital concierge offering these services positions your property as a top choice for remote workers seeking comfort and convenience.
9. Seasonal holiday packages
Celebrate major holidays by offering themed packages with decor, food, and activities tailored to the occasion. Provide tree decorating kits, festive snacks, and holiday movie playlists for Christmas. Offer a romantic setup with candles, rose petals, and chocolates during Valentine’s Day.
These packages make guests feel at home while enjoying the season’s unique charm. Customize them for local holidays or traditions to connect guests with the area.
10. Pet concierge services
Cater to pet-loving travelers with premium pet care options beyond basic pet-friendly accommodations. Offer gourmet pet meals, cozy pet beds, and personalized welcome treats. For an extra fee, arrange dog walking, pet sitting, or even a “spa day” for pets with grooming services.
Create a dedicated pet concierge to help guests find local dog parks or pet-friendly cafes. These tailored services show care for all family members, human and furry, elevating your property’s appeal to pet owners.
Pro Tip: For more tips, check out the video below from our Ultimate Upsell Guide in Short-Term Rentals webinar, which reveals insider strategies boosting your short-term rental profits!💰
Promoting your upsells: Strategies for success
1. Behavioral timing for upsells
Understanding the best time to introduce each upsell is important for conversion. Instead of relying on fixed timing, such as offering upsells during booking or pre-arrival, use behavioral triggers to deliver offers when they’re most relevant.
For instance, if a guest adjusts the thermostat for a colder setting, you could offer cozy add-ons like extra blankets or a hot cocoa kit.
Similarly, after a guest accesses the kitchen for the first time, suggest meal delivery or a local chef experience. Behavioral timing ensures that upsells feel natural and aligned with the guest’s immediate needs. This approach also avoids overwhelming guests with too many offers at a time.
2. Personalized recommendations
Personalizing these offers based on your collected guest data makes them more relevant and attractive. For example, a family might appreciate a mid-stay cleaning service or baby equipment rentals, while a couple may prefer a romantic local dining experience.
3. Predictive upsell models with AI
Personalizing these offers based on your collected guest data makes them more relevant and attractive. For example, a family might appreciate a mid-stay cleaning service or baby equipment rentals, while a couple may prefer a romantic local dining experience.
4. Dynamic group offers
Design upsell packages for group bookings that cater to their collective needs. Offer experiences like a private local guide for larger parties or bulk discounts on event tickets and equipment rentals.
For families, create customizable celebration kits that include themed decor, cake delivery, or activities like group games or scavenger hunts. Dynamic group offers not only cater to practical needs but also add a layer of convenience and delight, fostering a sense of exclusivity. Highlight how these packages simplify logistics while enhancing group bonding during their stay.
5. Subscription-style upsells
Introduce a “Premium Stay Pass” that allows guests to access a suite of offers throughout their stay for a flat fee—a great offer for travelers with extended stays.
For example, this pass could include unlimited bike rentals, mid-stay cleaning, or free late check-outs. The subscription model provides an all-inclusive feel, reducing decision fatigue for guests who might otherwise hesitate to purchase individual add-ons.
This strategy also creates a perception of excellent value, encouraging more sign-ups. This model fosters loyalty and simplifies upselling for properties hosting extended-stay guests or frequent travelers.
6. Seamless booking process
Make it easy for guests to add upsells to their reservations. This can be achieved through direct booking links in digital guidebooks, easy-to-navigate booking platforms, a simple request via a messaging platform, or even QR codes in the rental property that lead to upsell options. Reducing friction in the booking process can significantly increase uptake.
7. Leveraging automation
Integrating automation into your strategy is key to harnessing the potential of upselling. Solutions like those offered by Operto Guest revolutionize how hosts approach upselling — transforming it into an intuitive part of the guest experience.
These solutions allow for the creation of Airbnb welcome books, which serve as a comprehensive resource for guests during their stay and a dynamic channel for presenting and managing upsells.
The Bottom Line
Successfully upselling in short-term rentals is all about creating a meaningful guest experience. Yes, it’s about driving revenue and also offering more value. This approach builds your bottom line and leaves a lasting impression on your guests, encouraging them to return and share their positive experiences with others.
What you offer and how you offer it are central to achieving this. Technology like artificial intelligence can transform your operations by streamlining this process and making it easier for you to offer and manage these add-ons naturally and conveniently for guests.
Through intuitive interfaces and automation, these solutions allow you to effortlessly present tailored options to guests to enhance their pre-, in-, and post-stay experience.
Frequently asked questions
Upselling in the context of short-term and vacation rentals is a strategic approach where hosts offer guests upgraded or premium services such as enhanced amenities or experiences. Unlike cross-selling, which involves recommending additional products or services, upselling focuses on improving the existing service. For example, a host might suggest adding a well-stocked minibar for convenience, with the implied promise of a more luxurious and comfortable stay, gently nudging the guest to spend more for increased comfort.
Another aspect of upselling is offering add-on services that contribute to a safer, more satisfying stay. Offering travel insurance is one such service that not only adds a layer of security for guests but also generates additional cash flow for property owners.
Upselling enhances the guest experience by merging thoughtful data collection with personalized offerings in short-term rentals. For instance, installing a smart lock system upgrades security and streamlines check-in, creating a seamless start to the guest’s stay. This kind of attention to detail signals guests that their convenience and satisfaction are prioritized, making these upsells an attractive and functional addition to their accommodation.
Effective marketing of short-term rental upsells relies on understanding guests’ unique needs and preferences. By suggesting relevant services, such as a local gourmet food basket or arranging exclusive tours, rental owners can enrich the overall travel experience. These curated extras transform a simple stay into an unforgettable journey, cementing a property’s reputation for meeting and exceeding expectations.
Not at all. Upsells are valuable for properties across all market segments. While luxury rentals may focus on premium experiences like private chefs or spa services, budget-friendly properties can offer more straightforward add-ons, such as late check-outs, snack packages, or local activity guides.
The key is aligning your upsells with your target audience’s preferences and ensuring the price points match their expectations. Even small, thoughtful upsells can significantly enhance guest satisfaction and revenue.
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