The STR market is no longer just about having a great space. Today, visibility, timing, and targeting determine whether your calendar stays full—or collects dust.
To help hosts keep a full calendar, Vrbo is rolling out more sophisticated promotions tools. Each one targets a different type of guest behavior and booking window. If used strategically, these promotions can boost your listing in search results, target higher-value travelers, and drive occupancy at the right times.
But – as always – the devil is in the details. Here’s what operators need to know so you can decide what’s worth using:
Vrbo’s New Promotions, at a Glance
Early Booking Promotions
Goal: Lock in future stays
Targets: Guests booking 60+ days in advance
Why It Matters: More stable revenue, fewer off-season gaps
How it Works: Hosts offer 5%+ discounts for advanced bookings. Discount only applies to nights beyond the 60-day threshold. Listings receive an “Early Booking” badge and boosted visibility.
Last Minute Promotions
Goal: Fill last-minute vacancies
Targets: Travelers booking within 30 days of arrival
Why It Matters: Higher occupancy, fast conversions during peak season
How it Works: Hosts offer 5%+ discounts for bookings within the next 30 days. Listings receive a “Last Minute” badge and boosted visibility.
Members Only Deals (Launching July)
Goal: Attract loyal, high-spending guests
Targets: Expedia Group loyalty members
Why It Matters: According to Expedia, these guests book earlier, stay longer, and spend 40% more annually. Indicates tighter Expedia-Vrbo integration, despite recent loyalty perk reductions for Vrbo stays.
Mobile Promotions (Launching July)
Goal: Boost visibility on mobile devices
Targets: On-the-go travelers (especially families)
Why It Matters: Nearly 50% of Vrbo bookings now happen on mobile
How it Works: Promoted listings will appear more prominently in mobile search to capture high-intent, fast-action guests.
How Vrbo Promotions Actually Work
Promotions vs. discounts: Unlike standard weekly/monthly discounts, promotions are algorithmically boosted in search—so long as you offer at least 5% off. This gets your listing a badge and front-of-pack visibility.
Timing is precise: The discount only applies to the nights that fall within the defined booking window—nothing more.
- Early Booking Example: Booking spans day 58–65 → only nights 60+ are discounted.
- Last Minute Example: Booking spans day 28–35 → only days 28–30 are discounted.
Promotion stacking: Promotions can combine with your existing weekly or monthly discounts—but only one promotion will be applied on top. If multiple promotions are active, Vrbo applies the one with the highest value to the guest.
Our Take
Marketing Strategy Matters More Than Ever
This isn’t just about turning on discounts. It’s about knowing which guest segments to target when, managing visibility like a pro, and understanding the trade offs between discounted rates and boosted visibility.
Why Property Managers Should Care
If you’re a property manager, this is an opportunity to add value and differentiate. Most individual hosts won’t take the time to analyze market data, test promo strategies, or adapt them seasonally.
That’s your edge.
Showing clients valuable data can be a powerful sales & retention tool—one that builds trust through insight. These promotions tools can be used for things like:
- Market-specific Vrbo promotion plans
- Ongoing A/B testing of timing and discount levels
- Optimizing promotion strategies across multiple properties and seasons
Bottom Line
These new promotion tools can give hosts willing to dive into the details a chance to win better guests, faster bookings, and fuller calendars. For everyone else? It’s just another checkbox they won’t bother clicking.
