Increase your booking value with extras

Simple ways to increase basket value during the booking process.

It’s all about extras. 

Our Extras module can revolutionise how your guests personalise their stay, and help you increase basket value.

In the world of hospitality, every guest’s experience is different. We understand that having the ability to personalise a stay to the guest is hugely important, not only to support their stay with you, but to build loyalty too. That is why we’ve updated the Extras Sales Module in our Booking Engine 360 to allow bookers to personalise their stay even more, at the touch of a button. 

This module allows guests to add on a variety of Extras after moving into the 2nd step of the booking process. Allowing them more choice and you more opportunity to add value when booking. 

What’s ‘Popular’

Our ‘popular’ category within the module is one of our favourites. It allows you the choice to set what you believe to be your three most popular extras. Here’s your moment to add value and build revenue!

How do you choose the best three?

We surveyed the top 100 extras purchased across our partner hotels, here’s the top five: 

1️⃣ Transport: Parking or airport transfer 🚗 ✈️ (41%)

Parking spaces and airport transfers are the most common add-on purchased during the booking process.

It provides guests with comfort and security while avoiding the unnecessary stress of parking the car in unfamiliar places, or having to find their own way to you.

2️⃣ Room Service (breakfast, lunch or dinner) 🍲 🥐 (17.4%)

Some guests prefer the comfort of staying in a hotel without having to go outside to find a restaurant. Thanks to the possibility of buying meals, guests can enjoy delicious dishes prepared by hotel chefs, without giving up relaxation in their room.

3️⃣ Room Extras (Champagne, chocolates, etc.) 🍾 🥂 💐 (11.5%)

To make your stay more enjoyable or to surprise a loved one, guests love to organise smaller items to be in their room on arrival or delivered during their stay. It certainly helps to enhance their experience at your hotel. 

4️⃣ Additional items for smaller guests 🐶 👶 🍼 (9%)

One may say that guests are divided into those who come to the hotel with children or with pets 😉 According to our research, a baby cot is one of the most requested items for guests travelling with families, while having your pet stay with you is another.

Nowadays, more and more people travel with their furry friends, so hoteliers are adapting. Allowing guests to bring their pets and providing them with comfortable extras in their room to accommodate.

5️⃣ Activities 💆 🏌️ 🪂 (7%)

So many guests look for additional activities when staying at a hotel, be a relaxing spa retreat or a planned sports activity. Offering activities during the booking will help to enhance the guests experience but also ensure you are retaining them and the added revenue that may bring.

Extras related to local activities are the most popular add-ons, yet one must remember that hotel recommendations are a vital element of stay for guests around the world. 

How to configure Extras?

Configuring an attractive Extra that will pique the buyer's interest doesnt have to be tough. It really only takes a few simple steps. 

Have a clear and enticing name of the Extra. It should clearly communicate what the Extra is and how it benefits the guests.

The Description should be clear, concise and - at the same time - comprehensive. Guests need to fully understand what they can expect from the Extra. It is worth highlighting the unique features or benefits that distinguish the add-on from other options.

Photos are extremely important. They should be of high quality, well lit, and show the Extra in an attractive and realistic way. The picture should evoke positive emotions and encourage the buyer to almost feel the experience.

Make the price attractive.  If a hotel opts for a promotional online price for an Extra, this can greatly increase interest. An attractive price offer can encourage guests to choose an add-on, especially if it is available at a competitive price compared to other hotels.

How to encourage Extras when booking?

It’s easy - apply the online discount strategy. Guests are much more likely to book a hotel car park or buying room service or meals during the booking process, for convenience, knowing that the price on the spot might be higher. Take advantage of this moment and apply the online discount strategy.

Here are examples of two hotels that have adopted this strategy and are selling Extras online at a promotional price: Parking (-20%), menu items (-20%) and SPA (-10%)

After adopting this strategy, they saw a 34% increase in the share of bookings with a purchased Extra and an 8% increase in average booking value! 

How much can Extras increase the booking value?

When using the extras module and adopting the online discount strategy our partner hotels saw an 8% increase in the value of their bookings. 

The new Extras module in the Profitroom Booking Engine gives hoteliers a wide range of options including the ability to personalise and adapt to their guests’ needs. By properly configuring add-ons, you can increase the appeal of the offer, attract more potential customers and provide guests with an unforgettable experience during their stay at the hotel. 

To find out more about our Extras module and Booking Engine 360, get in touch with us today, it's worth doing to offer your guests an even better experience.