Maximize revenue: Master Vrbo promotion strategies

As a vacation rental owner or property manager, you know that consistently attracting the right guests at the right time is essential to your success. And now, with Vrbo’s promotions suite, you’re empowered to do just that.

Vrbo promotions are customizable, strategic discounts that showcase your listing with special badging² and can increase your rank in search. They’re designed to attract travelers looking for discounts, helping you more easily fill calendar gaps and drive revenue.

Here’s how to prepare your listing for promotion success and use different types to drive results.

Done optimizing your listing? Great! You’re ready to launch your promotions strategy.

Consider adding always-on promotions for best results year round. Which promotions should you use as part of an evergreen strategy? That depends on your goals.

While every promotion in the suite helps improve your ranking in search and showcases your property with special badging,³ each type is designed to drive bookings from a different traveler segment.

Let's dive into the promotions you can offer — and how to leverage them for your business goals.

Good to know: The average annual spend for members is over 40% higher than non-member transactions.⁴

Ready to get started? Add a Member Only Deal

Want more strategy? Read our Power User Playbook.

Good to know: On average, early bookings result in a 6-day length of stay,⁵  helping you maximize occupancy and minimize turnover costs.

Ready to get started? Add an early booking promotion

Want more strategy? Read our Power User Playbook.

Good to know: Properties offering a last minute promotion saw 10% higher uplift in bookings with a 30-day booking window compared to properties with a booking window of 14 days or less⁶ — so make sure you optimize your booking window.

Ready to get started? Add a last minute promotion

Want more strategy? Read our Power User Playbook.

Good to know: Nearly 50% of Vrbo net room nights come from mobile transactions.⁷

Ready to get started? Add a mobile promotion.

Set your listing up so you always stand out to reliable guests who book earlier, stay longer, and spend more. Plus, you can set up your promotion to target members by rewards tier — and stagger your discount levels to offer top-tier members your best deal.

And there’s no limit to how many promotions you can run at once. So, if you find yourself with a calendar gap even with your Member Only Deal in place, you can always add a last minute or early booking promotion to close the gap.

Good to know: The average booking window is 10% longer for members than for non-members.⁸

Ready to get started? Add a Member Only Deal

Here's a powerful strategy to maximize value for your guests while boosting your revenue: Try enhancing your promotion offer with a length-of-stay discount.

When you launch a targeted promotion (early booking, last minute, Member Only Deal, or mobile) with a weekly or monthly discount, you're creating an irresistible offer that:

• Incentivizes longer stays 
• Increases guests’ overall booking value 
• Attracts price-conscious travelers who book extended trips

When both a promotion and a length-of-stay discount apply to a booking, travelers will see your promotion badge in search results — catching their attention with clear value messaging.

Behind the scenes, both discounts work together to create exceptional guest value. The discounts are applied sequentially, not added together, giving guests a compelling reason to book longer stays with you.

Let's say you offer a 10% last minute promotion and a 10% weekly discount on a 7-night stay originally priced at $700:

• First, the weekly discount reduces the price to $630.
• Then, the last minute promotion brings it down to $567 (before taxes and fees).

Your guest saves $133 total — a significant incentive to book that full week instead of just a few nights.

This strategic combination helps you fill immediate calendar gaps while encouraging the longer stays that maximize your revenue potential and minimize turnover costs.

Take note: If you have more than one promotion running that applies to your listing, travelers will see the promotion badge for the best deal for them.

Ready to get started? Add stacked promotions.

Want more strategy? Read our Power User Playbook.

Vrbo promotions are all about flexibility and control. You have the power to customize your strategy to align with your business needs. Be sure to:

• Set mindful length-of-stay requirements.
• Set blockout dates for high-demand periods.
• Adjust discount percentages to optimize your performance.

By fine-tuning your promotions, you ensure they work to support your overall pricing strategy and business goals.  

Mastering the art of promotions is key to standing out in the competitive vacation rental market. With the insights and techniques we've explored, you're now equipped to create a dynamic promotion strategy that aligns with your business goals.

From Members Only Deals to early booking promotions, each tool in your promotional arsenal can be fine-tuned to maximize your property's potential. Don't let your listing get lost in the crowd! It's time to put your new knowledge into action and unlock your property’s full potential.

For vacation rental owners and property managers looking to take their promotion game to the next level, we've compiled some advanced strategies and insights. These techniques are designed for hosts who want to maximize promotions to drive even more bookings.