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: Last Minute Discount and Lower your minimum stay for last-minute dates. These features work with market data and guest behavior patterns—so you don't have to make constant manual changes.

What is the Last Minute Discount Feature?

This feature suggests the best discount at the right time, based on demand and similar properties in your area. You decide whether to apply it—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?

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—so short-stay guests can book.

What you control:

• 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 → Configure
4. Set your preferred values (e.g., 2-night stay, 27-day window)
5. Click Activate

How it works:

• Respects your advance notice setting: Your advance notice time (how far in advance a booking must be made before check-in) is managed in the General information section of your Holidu account. To update it: Log in to your Holidu Host account, select your property, go to Configuration → General information, scroll to Plan for your guest's arrival → Advance notice, click Edit, choose your preferred option (same day, 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days), and click Save.
• Temporarily relaxes check-in/check-out restrictions to allow shorter stays
• 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: ~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—but only within your defined last-minute window. Your other settings remain unchanged outside this period.

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 in place.

Are check-in and check-out rules affected?

They are temporarily eased for last-minute bookings to encourage short-stay guests to complete their reservations.

Will my existing discounts be changed?

No. Your current discounts stay the same unless you choose to apply new ones recommended by Holidu.

How does Holidu pick the recommended period?

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

Start Boosting Your Bookings 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 today and watch your bookings grow.