Use these 5 Promotions to Get More Rental Bookings

romotions are a great marketing tool that can help you increase your bookings and customer base for your rental and activity business.

Creating a varied list of promotions is important to appease to all customers, and generate an excitement for your business. Customers like to see deals and specials that you offer, and it will undoubtedly help with getting more bookings for your business.

Let’s discover the 5 best promotions to offer for your rental business that will assist with increased bookings and customer satisfaction. We’ll even share suggestions for the codes and messaging to use so you can build your promotions list quickly.

Limited Time Discounts and Deals.

Offer promotions that are valid for a limited time. This will encourage people to get in on the promotion before the deal is up. Examples of limited time promotions are:

• Early Bird Discounts. Offer a discount for customers that book their summer rentals in advance. Set a valid to date, so customers know they have to book early in order to enjoy the discount.
• Weekday Promotions. Encourage customers with a discount that applies to your slower days of the week.
• Early Riser Discounts. Offer a discount for rentals that start early in the day.

Try this Promotion!

• Code: EARLYBIRD
• Rules: 10% discount for all summer rentals that are booked before March 31st.
• Message: LIMITED TIME! Don't miss out on your summer rental. Use code EARLYBIRD to book this summer and enjoy a 10% discount. Book before March 31st to get the discount.

Seasonal Promotions.

Promotions that surround a holiday or season are a great incentive for customers to book for that time period. Examples of a seasonal promotions are:

• Summer Kick-Off Deal. Create a promo or deal that applies to the start of your busy season. Encourage bookings for your early summer with a discounted rate on all bookings before Memorial Day.
• Holiday Specials. Offer a deal for all new or returning customers a cooler with drinks for the first 10 customers that book a boat for 4th of July weekend.
• End of Season Discounts. Offer a discount for rentals that occur during your shoulder season (usually the days and weeks after Labor Day). This will keep your revenue going even past your busy season.

Try this Promotion!

• Code: SUMMERSTART
• Rules: 15% discount for rentals that are between April 15 - May 22.
• Message: Let’s kick off your summer fun! Book your rental for a start date between April 15 - May 22 and enjoy a 15% discount. Use code SUMMERSTART at checkout.

Bundle and Add-ons Promotions.

This is an excellent way to get more sales by offering free add-ons to your rental or activities.

• Get a free tube add-on with a pontoon rental
• Fishing Package. Offer free top of the line fishing gear with the fishing boat rental
• Bundle it Package. Create a packaged rental that includes two of your rental types such as a pontoon boat and a kayak.

Try this Promotion!

• Code: FREETUBE
• Rules: Free tube rental when you rent a pontoon boat
• Message: Add to the fun by getting free tube rental when you book a full day pontoon. Use code FREETUBE at checkout. Offer good through July 31st.

Upsell Promotions.

Offer discounts on one of your higher priced rental items.

• Offer an option to Upgrade your boat rental experience from a standard pontoon to a deluxe pontoon.
• Offer an option to add an hour onto a jet ski rental.

Try this Promotion!

• Code: DELUXE
• Rules: $75 discount on a half or full day deluxe pontoon rental
• Message: Elevate your day on the water with our deluxe pontoon. Use code DELUXE during the month of June and get $75 off a half or full day deluxe pontoon rental. Excluding holidays.

Career Related Promotions.

‍Customers that are in the military, first responders, teachers should get a discount for your rentals. Keep this as an ongoing promotion. It shows your commitment to those that provide this type of service to others.

Try this Promotion!

• Code: MILITARY
• Rules: 10% discount for all active or retired military members.
• Message: Thank you for your service. All active and retired military members get a 10% discount on our rentals and activities. Use code MILITARY at checkout. Military ID will be required at check in.

BookingCentral offers a Promotions page that you can include in the booking widget to showcase your promotions to customers. It’s a great way to display your deals and easy for people to know what you are offering. Plus your customers will be thrilled and more eager to book with you when all the details and options are clearly laid out for them. Hooray!

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For more tips on promotions, check out this article: Using Promotions to your Advantage.

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BookingCentral offers the most efficient and easy to use booking platform, designed specifically for rental operators. Want to learn more about all the features in BookingCentral? Reach out to our team today!