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 lower your minimum stay for last-minute dates to attract more guests without constant manual adjustments.

What is the Last Minute Discount Feature?

What it does

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 unless you choose to apply it.

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?

What it does

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 your property.

You decide:

• New minimum stay (e.g., 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

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 (e.g., 2-night stay, 27-day window)
5. Click Activate

How It Works

Understanding Advance Notice Settings

Your advance notice setting controls how far in advance a booking must be made before check-in. This is managed in your General Information section.

To update or edit your advance notice:

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

Feature Behavior

• Respects your advance notice setting
• Temporarily relaxes check-in and check-out restrictions to allow shorter stays
• Always applies the shortest option between your current and last-minute settings

Holidu Recommended Defaults

Setting	Recommendation
Minimum stay	2 nights
Check-in window	27 days
Expected results	Approximately 5% more occupancy and 5% more net income for properties with 3+ night minimum stays

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it override my seasonal minimum stay rules?

Yes, the last-minute feature will override your seasonal minimum stay rules, but only within your defined last-minute window.

Can I use one feature without the other?

Absolutely. Each tool works independently, so you can activate just the Last Minute Discount, just the minimum stay reduction, or both together.

What if my settings already allow short stays?

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

Are check-in and check-out rules affected?

Yes, check-in and check-out rules are temporarily eased for last-minute bookings to maximize your flexibility and booking potential.

Will my existing discounts be changed?

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

How does Holidu pick the recommended period?

We use market data specific to your property type. The default settings match the period when approximately 20% of bookings for your property type still occur.

Get Started Today

By combining last-minute stay flexibility with strategic discounts, you can boost your visibility, increase occupancy, and attract more guests—without the hassle of constant manual updates. Activate these features in your Holidu Host account and watch your bookings grow.