Most short term rental hosts wake up and do the same: check occupancy, adjust prices and hope the bookings keep coming in.
Meanwhile, they’re missing out on six much easier ways to add serious money to their bottom line. We’re talking $10,000, $20,000, even $50,000 in additional annual revenue that’s just there.
I manage over twenty STR units that gross $1 million annually, and that’s the most I can tell short term rental hosts wake up and do the same: check occupancy, adjust prices and hope the bookings keep coming in.
Meanwhile, they’re missing out on six much easier ways to add serious money to their bottom line. We’re talking $10,000, $20,000, even $50,000 in additional annual revenue that’s just there.
I manage over twenty STR units that generate $1 million annually, and I can tell you that the hosts who are actually building wealth aren’t just filling schedules. They maximize every guest and every stay.
I just dropped what could be mine most helpful video yet on the BiggerStays YouTube channel, by breaking down all six of these strategies with real numbers and concrete examples, from hosts using them now. But if you want the quick version before you watch, here’s the rundown.
1. Sell experience packages
Your guests are already celebrating something: a birthday, an anniversary, a much-needed vacation. They are excited and are already in spending mode. So give them an easy way to make it even better.
Experience packages are simple:
- Charge approximately $200 for the guest.
- Pay your cleaner $50 to set it up.
- Spend $50 on reusable supplies (LED candles, fancy plates, trays).
- Keep $100 in winnings.
The key is ‘reusable items’. I used to run to Party City for balloons that were thrown away after every setup. That’s when I switched to quality, reusable items. Buy it once and use it forever.
Bonus: Guests take countless photos of the setup and post them on social media. That’s free marketing you didn’t have to pay for.
2. Stop paying retail for furniture
If you’re buying furniture from West Elm or HomeGoods, you’re doing it wrong. I now use platforms like Minoan for almost all my properties. It offers wholesale prices on everything: bedding, furniture, soap, decor, everything.
I know a host who furnished two Colorado cabins for $27,000, instead of the $36,500 it would have cost retail. That sauna she wanted? $5,000 instead of $10,000.
You don’t just save money. You can afford better quality on the same budget, which means better reviews and higher nightly rates.
3. Sell extra nights
Someone books from Thursday to Sunday. You have Wednesday empty before they arrive, and Monday empty after they leave.
That guy is already packing up and driving to your house. Chances are they will add another night if you ask, especially with a small discount.
Most hosts never ask. They just let those nights sit empty. The smarter move:
- Send guests a message after booking with a discount code for additional nights.
- Offer early check-in or late check-out for an additional fee.
- Use automation tools to do this for you automatically.
It is cheaper to keep a guest longer than to deal with constant turnover. And those extra nights add up to thousands per year.
4. Work with local companies
Your guests spend money all over town: restaurants, boat rentals, fishing guides, wineries and tours. Right now you don’t see a cent of it.
Partner with these companies for referral commissions. Most are happy to give you a promo code or affiliate link for sending them customers.
Build a digital manual that includes your partnerships. Once it’s set up, it will run on its own. Some landlords earn an extra €3,000 to €5,000 per year with this.
5. Make your property shoppable
A guest sits on your couch and thinks, “I love this. I wish I had one at home.” Right now, that thought leads nowhere.
With platforms like Minoan you get a QR code that guests can scan. It retrieves everything in your home that is for sale: furniture, bedding, coffee makers and decorations. They buy it and you earn a commission. You’re essentially turning your rental into a revenue-generating showroom passive income on top of your nightly rate.
6. Be pet-friendly and charge for it
‘Pet friendly’ is Airbnb’s most searched filter. If you don’t allow pets your occupancy will suffer.
Yes, pets create extra work. That’s why you charge for it. Here’s how:
- A flat fee of $100 – $150 per pet, per stay
- Or $25-$50 per pet, per night
I have a friend who made over $100,000 last year just on pet fees.
Guests with pets expect to pay extra, and are willing to do so. You open your accommodation to a larger group of travelers, increase your occupancy rate and make money.
Final thoughts
These are not complicated and do not require the purchase of another property or renovation. These are minor operational adjustments that take a few hours.
But here’s the thing: they stack. You don’t choose one. You do them all at the same time.
A few packages here, some pet fees there, extra nightly upsells, affiliate commissions, and a few furniture sales, and suddenly you’re looking at an extra $20,000+ per year, per home.
Most hosts leave this money on the table because they’ve never thought about it. Now you’ve done that.
#Ways #Airbnb #Hosts #Leave #Thousands #Table #Fix