Pricing your short term rental isn’t just about picking a number and sticking with it. Seasons change, demand shifts, and guest booking habits vary throughout the year. If your pricing doesn’t adapt, you could be missing out on bookings or leaving money on the table.
A well-planned pricing strategy helps you stay competitive, increase short-term rental occupancy, and maximise revenue, without constantly second-guessing your rates.
Let’s break down how to price your rental for peak, off-peak, and shoulder seasons so you can get the most out of every booking.
Peak Season: Make the Most of High Demand
Peak season is when demand is highest, and guests are willing to pay more. This could be summer holidays, bank holiday weekends, Christmas, or local events that bring in more visitors.
How to price for peak season:
- Increase rates strategically. Don’t be afraid to charge more when demand is high, but keep your pricing competitive within the market.
- Use minimum stay rules. Longer stays help maximise revenue while reducing changeover costs.
- Limit discounts. Guests expect to pay more during peak season, so avoid unnecessary price cuts.
- Leverage urgency. If availability is low, slight price increases can encourage earlier bookings.
If you’re not adjusting your rates for peak periods, you’re likely undercharging, and missing out on revenue.
Off-Peak Season: Fill Your Calendar Without Undervaluing Your Property
Off-peak season means lower demand and fewer bookings, but that doesn’t mean slashing your prices. With the right balance of pricing, visibility, and flexibility, you can maintain high occupancy while ensuring strong profitability.
How to price for off-peak season:
- Use dynamic pricing. Automatically adjust rates based on demand so you stay competitive without the guess work.
- Lower your minimum stay requirements. Shorter bookings are more common in low season, so consider allowing 1-or 2-night stays.
- Offer added value instead of deep discounts. Perks like late check-out, flexible cancellation, or small welcome gifts can encourage bookings without lowering your rate too much.
- Target off-peak travellers. Workcations, retirees, and couples often travel outside of peak times, so consider marketing to them.
A smart off-peak pricing strategy keeps bookings coming in, without cheapening your property.
Shoulder Season: The Hidden Revenue Opportunity
Many owners overlook shoulder season, the time just before or after peak periods. But this is where small pricing tweaks can have a big impact.
How to price for shoulder season:
- Test small rate adjustments. Slightly lower prices than peak season can attract budget-conscious travellers without undercutting revenue.
- Be flexible on arrival days. Midweek bookings can fill gaps in your calendar.
- Experiment with promotions. A well-timed offer (like an extra night free) can drive bookings without reducing your base rate.
- Monitor demand closely. Shoulder season can vary each year, so track trends to adjust accordingly.
A well-priced shoulder season strategy keeps momentum going before and after peak demand, helping to smooth out your income year-round.
Use Data to Stay One Step Ahead
The best pricing strategies aren’t set in stone. They evolve based on real-time data, guest booking behaviour, and market demand.
With SuperControl’s Key Data Dashboard, you can:
- See how competitor pricing changes throughout the year
- Track occupancy trends to spot peak, off-peak, and shoulder season patterns
- Adjust your pricing before demand shifts so you stay ahead of the competition
Combine that with Beyond’s dynamic pricing, and you’ll have a fully optimised, automated pricing strategy that adapts in real time, without the manual effort.
Ready to get ahead of your pricing plans?
Getting your short-term rental pricing right means balancing high occupancy with maximum revenue and having a strategy for every season.
Download The Perfect Pricing Formula for Short-Term Rentals to get:
- A step-by-step guide to pricing all year round
- Dynamic pricing insights to help you adapt to demand
- Interactive worksheets to test and refine your pricing strategy
