Would you give a discount?
Would you give a discount?
A guest that has been at our place twice before emailed me and said that many of their favorite places there Give a discount to returning guests. Then he added, " With that said, We'd like to book again for this Labor Day weekend ." Would you give a discount?
We've decided that, when we are in the lucky position of having returning guests, we probably will give them a discount - or a special welcome hamper. Not quite sure which yet! It depends how you feel about giving discounts in general; a lot of LMH'ers are against it. It also depends on how much you were thinking of discounting by. It might be that if you know this guest well, you can come up with some other sweetener (tickets for some local thing?) that would make it more personal, for perhaps not as much of a financial cost?
Now the guest has opened this particular dialogue I think I would think very hard about trying to give a positive response - of some kind.
A guest who's been twice before is a valuable commodity. I think I would try to see this as an opportunity to create more feel good factor in the guest. (might they recommend you to others?)
Depends what's appropriate to you, and to them - a voucher for a dinner out or an extra charge that you could waive?
With my repeat guests so far I don't ask for a damage deposit, and propose what feels like a good rate compared to what they paid last time....without looking ridiculous.
I think offering discounts to returning guests is quite different to discounting to a bargain hunter in an email....who may never even go on to book.
A guest who's been twice before is a valuable commodity. I think I would try to see this as an opportunity to create more feel good factor in the guest. (might they recommend you to others?)
Depends what's appropriate to you, and to them - a voucher for a dinner out or an extra charge that you could waive?
With my repeat guests so far I don't ask for a damage deposit, and propose what feels like a good rate compared to what they paid last time....without looking ridiculous.
I think offering discounts to returning guests is quite different to discounting to a bargain hunter in an email....who may never even go on to book.
We had one couple who came six years on the trot. They never asked for a discount, but I guessed they were a bit hard up and so started my lowest prices in their favourite week!
Nice folk, he was in a wheelchair, and they just had a lovely break and left the place spotless. What more do you want?
Mols
Nice folk, he was in a wheelchair, and they just had a lovely break and left the place spotless. What more do you want?
Mols
Jumping is just dressage with speed-bumps.
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Hi sjde!
You could also say that we waive the cleaning fee for returning guests. I think that sounds a bit more "personal" than just an XX amount. Or make a point out of offering them last years prices.
I see that the VRBO bear has stayed with you. How did that work? Did you sign up for it or did they contact you? Did they pay full price?
You could also say that we waive the cleaning fee for returning guests. I think that sounds a bit more "personal" than just an XX amount. Or make a point out of offering them last years prices.
I see that the VRBO bear has stayed with you. How did that work? Did you sign up for it or did they contact you? Did they pay full price?
Pessimists only get positive surprises.
We have had a Repeat Guests policy ever since we started, it has paid dividends as we now have 30% of bookings from repeat guests this year. We also have two bookings from recommendations.
Our policy is:
Repeat Guest Discount: -£10 per night (no maximum).
Book within 28-days of departure: Next seasons dates at this seasons rates.
Deposit: £100 (usually 25% MIN £100).
Security Deposit: Nil (usually £100 per week or part).
We also have "Introduce A Friend" scheme: £10 per night credit towards a future stay if you introduce a friend for each night they book. So, if a friend books a 3-night short break the introducer gets a £30 credit towards a future stay.
We just had a repeat guest book for 12-nights, she got £120 discount for being a repeat customer and £40 discount for IAF (her Auntie), total £160 off. Obviously, there are rules we apply like , can't be used with other offers and discounts, friends can't be from the original guest group, etc.
I do include an uplift in my tariff for such things, so I am always happy when we get repeats. So much easier to deal with, no surprises and the properties always left as you want them.
Our policy is:
Repeat Guest Discount: -£10 per night (no maximum).
Book within 28-days of departure: Next seasons dates at this seasons rates.
Deposit: £100 (usually 25% MIN £100).
Security Deposit: Nil (usually £100 per week or part).
We also have "Introduce A Friend" scheme: £10 per night credit towards a future stay if you introduce a friend for each night they book. So, if a friend books a 3-night short break the introducer gets a £30 credit towards a future stay.
We just had a repeat guest book for 12-nights, she got £120 discount for being a repeat customer and £40 discount for IAF (her Auntie), total £160 off. Obviously, there are rules we apply like , can't be used with other offers and discounts, friends can't be from the original guest group, etc.
I do include an uplift in my tariff for such things, so I am always happy when we get repeats. So much easier to deal with, no surprises and the properties always left as you want them.
"Write something, even if it's just a suicide note"
"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise"
"As for my amnesia, I've had it as long as I can remember"
Real name: Steve
Gender: Male
"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise"
"As for my amnesia, I've had it as long as I can remember"
Real name: Steve
Gender: Male
- barbersdrove
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- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:48 pm
- Location: crowland south lincolnshire
i wondered about doing this then decided to go back over my bookings to see if anyone who had been one year had been put off booking the following year by our price increases. As far as i could tell not one of the enquiries had decided not to book because the cost had gone up.
I have 7 weeks booked out this summer to repeat bookers who when they have asked about availability I have explained the increase to. They have all booked. So, I'm wondering if people are doing themselves out of money by offering these discounts. Had I done so I would have been making less profit in a time when costs have been spiraling.
I have 7 weeks booked out this summer to repeat bookers who when they have asked about availability I have explained the increase to. They have all booked. So, I'm wondering if people are doing themselves out of money by offering these discounts. Had I done so I would have been making less profit in a time when costs have been spiraling.
A cream cake a day keeps the wrinkles at bay:)
We give 10% discount to returning guests. So far 25% of 2012 guests are returning this year. Reckon it cuts my advertising costs plus it cuts down the risk on who you're letting your place out to.
Don't know if you have any add on costs for the rental if you won't want to give a discount you could always let guest have add on for free or put in a complimentary welcome pack if like us you don't usually provide this.
Don't know if you have any add on costs for the rental if you won't want to give a discount you could always let guest have add on for free or put in a complimentary welcome pack if like us you don't usually provide this.
Makes the most it's not a rehearsal
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- barbersdrove
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I don't really have add ons, everything offered is included in the price and that includes 2 pages of items available for loan for babies, toddlers, disabled, elderly etc. But costs in general have gone up, in particular heating and lighting.
Many of our lets are in the winter months and I could charge extra then and reduce in the summer but whilst I am still getting bookings throughout the year at the one flat cost I think i will continue that way though i realise i may have to rethink if the summer prices do seem to be becoming a reason not to book. at the moment, touch wood the bookings don't seem to be being affected by the increase.
Many of our lets are in the winter months and I could charge extra then and reduce in the summer but whilst I am still getting bookings throughout the year at the one flat cost I think i will continue that way though i realise i may have to rethink if the summer prices do seem to be becoming a reason not to book. at the moment, touch wood the bookings don't seem to be being affected by the increase.
A cream cake a day keeps the wrinkles at bay:)
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Hi,
It's great to see the range of incentives offered to repeat guests and also heed the view that you need to know that in offering an incentive you can do so because it enables you t make savings elsewhere such as in advertising.
I'd like to ask if owners get repeat visits because they have a pro-active policy of mailing (or e-mailing) previous bookers on their database to persuade them to return, (and whether it is appropriate to include an incentive in the mailshot), or whether they have a reactive approach because repeat bookings just happen!
It's great to see the range of incentives offered to repeat guests and also heed the view that you need to know that in offering an incentive you can do so because it enables you t make savings elsewhere such as in advertising.
I'd like to ask if owners get repeat visits because they have a pro-active policy of mailing (or e-mailing) previous bookers on their database to persuade them to return, (and whether it is appropriate to include an incentive in the mailshot), or whether they have a reactive approach because repeat bookings just happen!
Rick Bond
If you build it (properly) - people will come.
<a href="http://www.myfavouriteholidaycottages.co.uk">My Favourite Holiday Cottages</a>
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If you build it (properly) - people will come.
<a href="http://www.myfavouriteholidaycottages.co.uk">My Favourite Holiday Cottages</a>
<a href="http://www.myholidaymarketing.co.uk">My Holiday Marketing</a>
I also offer 10 pc off to returning guests. I indicate that in my follow-up email after their stay. (unless I don't want them back, which almost never happens!)
I now have about 6 regulars and several other guests who have sent friends so I think it's well worth it. (My repeat/referral business now accounts for 20-30% of all bookings.)
Regular guests are worth cultivating, whether it's with a discount or a nice gesture like a food hamper / champagne.
I had returnees who came as sweethearts, returned for their honeymoon and again for their 1st anniversary. I spoiled them with champagne and chocolates! In my mind, their guest review was worth gold!
When guests start calling it their "second home" you know they're telling all their friends about it, and that's valuable publicity. When they inquire, they're ready to book so it takes less time. And they leave it cleaner because they want to come back. And once you know them, it's easier to deal with last-minute crises - I suddenly had to go away when recent returnees were coming but I knew them well enough and they knew the place well enough for me to just leave a key with a neighbour for them.
I now have about 6 regulars and several other guests who have sent friends so I think it's well worth it. (My repeat/referral business now accounts for 20-30% of all bookings.)
Regular guests are worth cultivating, whether it's with a discount or a nice gesture like a food hamper / champagne.
I had returnees who came as sweethearts, returned for their honeymoon and again for their 1st anniversary. I spoiled them with champagne and chocolates! In my mind, their guest review was worth gold!
When guests start calling it their "second home" you know they're telling all their friends about it, and that's valuable publicity. When they inquire, they're ready to book so it takes less time. And they leave it cleaner because they want to come back. And once you know them, it's easier to deal with last-minute crises - I suddenly had to go away when recent returnees were coming but I knew them well enough and they knew the place well enough for me to just leave a key with a neighbour for them.
Lounging on the lily pad...