How to Boost Your Bookings with Holidu's Last-Minute Discounts

Do you have empty nights coming up? Holidu offers two powerful tools to help you fill those gaps and increase bookings automatically. Learn how to use Last-Minute Discounts and flexible minimum stay settings to attract more guests without constant manual adjustments.

What is the Last-Minute Discount Feature?

The Last-Minute Discount feature suggests optimal discounts based on demand patterns and competitor pricing in your area. You maintain full control—apply suggested discounts only when it makes sense for your property.

Key Benefits

• Fills empty nights close to check-in dates
• Attracts spontaneous travelers and last-minute business trips
• Works alongside your existing discounts (except New Listing discounts)
• Uses market data to recommend the best discount timing

How to Activate Last-Minute Discounts

1. Log in to your Holidu Host account
2. Select your property
3. Navigate to Opportunities or Discounts
4. Review the suggested discounts and apply the ones you prefer

What is the "Lower Your Minimum Stay for Last-Minute Dates" Feature?

This feature temporarily reduces your minimum stay requirement during a customizable time window before check-in. Short-stay guests can now book your property, even if your standard minimum stay is longer.

How It Works

You decide three key settings:

• New minimum stay length (for example, 2 nights)
• How many days before check-in this applies (for example, 27 days)
• Whether to add a discount on top of the reduced stay requirement

Key Benefits

• Boosts occupancy rates, especially for properties with longer minimum stays
• Improves visibility on booking platforms
• Runs automatically once activated—no manual updates needed
• Generates approximately 5% more occupancy and 5% more net income for properties with 3+ night minimums (based on Holidu data)

How to Set Up Flexible Minimum Stays

1. Log in to your Holidu Host account
2. Go to Discounts
3. Scroll to "Lower your minimum stay for last-minute dates" and click Configure
4. Set your preferred values (recommended: 2-night stay with 27-day window)
5. Click Activate

Understanding Advance Notice Settings

Your advance notice setting (how far ahead a booking must be made before check-in) works with this feature. To update it:

1. Log in to your Holidu Host account
2. Select your property
3. Go to Configuration, then General Information
4. Scroll to "Plan for your guest's arrival" and find Advance Notice
5. Click Edit and choose your preferred option (same day, 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days)
6. Click Save

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this override my seasonal minimum stay rules?

Yes, but only within the last-minute window you define. Outside that period, your original rules apply.

Can I use one feature without the other?

Absolutely. Each tool works independently, so you can activate Last-Minute Discounts, flexible minimum stays, or both together.

What if my property already allows short stays?

The system applies the shorter of your current setting or the last-minute setting, so your existing configuration remains unchanged if it's already flexible.

Are my check-in and check-out rules affected?

Yes, they are temporarily relaxed for last-minute bookings to accommodate shorter stays. This ensures the flexibility you set actually enables bookings.

Will my existing discounts be changed?

No. Your current discounts stay the same unless you actively choose to apply new last-minute discount suggestions.

How does Holidu choose the recommended settings?

Holidu uses market data and booking patterns for your property type. Recommended defaults (2-night minimum stay, 27-day window) match the period when approximately 20% of bookings for similar properties typically still occur.

Recommended Default Settings

• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Check-in window: 27 days before arrival
• Expected results: 5% more occupancy, 5% more net income

Get Started Today

By combining last-minute flexibility with strategic discounts, you can boost visibility, increase occupancy, and attract more guests without the hassle of constant manual updates. These features work together to capitalize on last-minute demand while maintaining your business rules.

Activate these tools in your Holidu Host account today and watch your bookings grow. Start with the recommended settings, monitor your results, and adjust as needed to match your property's unique market conditions.