Understanding Booking Requests: How to Manage and Benefit from Guest Inquiries
As a short-term rental property manager, you need control over who views and books your properties. Screening guests, verifying credentials, and ensuring they meet the standards of your space are all essential steps.
But achieving this doesn’t mean sacrificing revenue or conversions.
With the "Request to Book" feature—now available on popular platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com—potential guests can send a reservation proposal rather than instantly booking a property.
This feature gives you the flexibility to accept or decline requests without the stress of cancellation fees, minimizing the risk of unsuitable guests, property damage, and negative reviews.
In this blog, we’ll explore how the Request to Book feature works and how it enables you to broaden your income stream while reaching the right audience.
Plus, we’ll dive into recent findings on high-value bookings through OTAs that could surprise you and encourage you to consider the benefits firsthand.
Understanding Booking Requests
When making a booking request, a guest submits an inquiry to the host, which typically includes:
Their reason for travel
Information on who they’re traveling with
Details about what they like about the property
Agreement to property rules and payment terms, such as responsibility for damages
They then choose their desired dates and send a request through the platform.
Once you receive this request, it’s your call. You can review their profile and decide if they’re suitable, with the flexibility to approve or decline the booking. Response times vary, but platforms generally require a response within 24 hours, or the request is automatically declined.
Platforms Offering Request to Book
Request to Book was initially popular on specialty channels, but major platforms have since recognized its value. Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo now provide this option.
Results speak for themselves:
Airbnb secured over €300,000 in bookings last year.
VRBO achieved bookings totaling over €240,000.
Booking.com garnered over €78,000 in bookings.
This trend continues to grow, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
5 Key Advantages of Accepting Booking Requests
Using a Request to Book system offers several advantages over only allowing instant bookings. Here’s how it can benefit you:
More Control Over Your Calendar
With requests, you have greater control over your rental calendar. You can assess each inquiry based on factors like pricing, guest profile, and avoiding double bookings, allowing you to manage multiple booking channels more efficiently.Ability to Review Guests
Request to Book lets you communicate with potential guests before confirming. This means you can gather important details about their stay, review their profiles, and check past reviews from other hosts.Flexibility on Stay Length
You can be more flexible with stay requirements using Request to Book, capturing bookings that might not fit into standard minimum or maximum stay settings.Reduce Double Bookings
For property managers who use multiple booking methods, Request to Book helps prevent double bookings by temporarily blocking dates until you accept or decline the request.Enhanced Availability Transparency
During high-demand seasons, this feature updates guests on availability before booking, creating a smoother and more transparent experience.
3 Considerations When Using Booking Requests
There are some possible drawbacks to consider:
Adds Uncertainty
Waiting for confirmation can create uncertainty for both you and the guest, but a quick response helps mitigate this.Hands-On Management Required
Managing requests actively is essential, especially in peak seasons when guest inquiries increase.Potential for Missed Bookings
Higher rejection rates might leave dates unbooked, particularly during peak travel periods when guests may choose properties with instant booking options.
Best Practices for Managing Booking Requests
To maximize the benefits of booking requests while minimizing drawbacks:
Set clear expectations: Outline your booking policies and house rules in your listing description to avoid misunderstandings.
Share response times: Let guests know when to expect a response to their request.
Check for new requests daily: Especially in busy seasons, monitor your account frequently.
Keep availability calendars updated: Ensures all platforms reflect the latest availability.
Consider a reliable channel manager: Tools like 5 Star STR can help you broaden exposure and manage bookings without compromising your standards.
Is a Booking Request System Right for Your Property?
Booking requests provide enhanced control and can make your property listings on OTAs more appealing. However, the added management required means it’s best suited to those who value guest screening and need calendar flexibility.
Booking Requests are Ideal for:
Managers of unique or high-demand properties
Hosts looking to screen all potential guests carefully
Property managers who require complex calendar coordination
Instant Booking is Ideal for:
Hosts who prioritize quick bookings and high availability
New hosts building credibility
Listings in high-demand or saturated areas
Assess your property needs and market conditions to decide if booking requests are right for you.
See also: Why You Should Consider Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Stay Exclusive and Increase Revenue with 5 Star STR
For property managers, having the flexibility to decline a booking is essential to ensure you host the right guests. Booking requests on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com add an additional layer of control, allowing you to make sure the guest profile matches your needs.
While it may add complexity, the right approach—and support from 5 Star STR—makes booking requests a valuable way to secure more profitable bookings.
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