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 your bookings automatically. Learn how to use Last-Minute Discounts and reduce your minimum stay requirements for last-minute dates to attract more guests without constant manual updates.

What is the Last-Minute Discount Feature?

How it Works

The Last-Minute Discount feature suggests the best discount at the right time, based on demand and similar properties in your area. You maintain full control—nothing changes automatically.

Why It Helps

• Fills empty nights close to check-in
• Attracts spontaneous travellers and last-minute business trips
• Works alongside your existing discounts (except the New Listing discount)

How to Use It

1. Log in to your Holidu Host account
2. Select a property
3. Go to Opportunities or Discounts
4. Review the suggestions and apply the ones you like

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

How it Works

If your minimum stay is too long, you might miss bookings close to check-in. This tool automatically lowers your minimum stay during a set time window, allowing short-stay guests to book without requiring manual intervention.

You Decide

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

Why It Helps

• Boosts occupancy, especially for longer standard minimum stays
• Improves visibility on booking platforms
• Runs automatically once activated

How to Activate It

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

How It Works in Practice

This feature respects your advance notice setting, which controls how far in advance a booking must be made before check-in. To update your advance notice:

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

The system temporarily relaxes check-in and check-out restrictions to allow shorter stays and always applies the shortest option between your current and last-minute settings.

Holidu Recommended Defaults

• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Check-in window: 27 days
• Results: Approximately 5% more occupancy and 5% more net income for properties with 3+ night minimum stays

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the feature override my seasonal minimum stay rules?

Yes—but only within your defined last-minute window. Your seasonal rules remain in effect outside this period.

Can I use one feature without the other?

Absolutely. Each feature works independently, so you can activate whichever suits your property best.

What if my settings already allow short stays?

The system applies the shorter stay duration if needed. Otherwise, your current settings remain unchanged.

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

Check-in and check-out rules are temporarily eased for last-minute bookings to allow greater flexibility.

Will my existing discounts be changed?

No. Your existing discounts remain unchanged unless you choose to apply new ones.

How does Holidu choose the recommended period?

Holidu uses market data to determine when approximately 20% of bookings for your property type typically occur, setting the default last-minute window accordingly.

Next Steps

By combining last-minute stay flexibility with strategic discounts, you can boost your visibility, increase occupancy, and attract more guests without constantly managing your settings manually. Activate these features today and watch your bookings grow.