In the dynamic world of short-term rentals, setting the right minimum stay restrictions can significantly impact revenue and occupancy. These rules help optimize occupancy, prevent undesirable gaps in bookings, and maximize revenue. Minimum stay restrictions vary by platform, with two commonly used rules being Minimum Stay on Arrival (MLos) and Minimum Stay Through (MinStay Through). Each serves a distinct purpose in managing guest stays, ensuring that properties remain profitable and efficiently booked. Understanding how these restrictions function allows property managers to align their booking strategies with platform capabilities for better operational efficiency.
What is Minimum Stay on Arrival (MLos)?
Minimum Stay on Arrival (MLos) requires guests to stay for a minimum number of nights when they check in on a specified date. This means the restriction applies only to reservations starting on that date.
Example:
A short-term rental sets a 3-night minstay for Friday arrivals. This means:
- A guest checking in on Friday must stay at least Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- A guest checking in on Saturday or Sunday may have different or no restrictions.
What is Minimum Stay Through (MinStay Through)?
Minimum Stay Through applies when any booking that includes a specific date must meet a minimum stay requirement. Unlike MLos, it does not depend on the arrival date, instead it applies to any reservation that covers that specific date.
Example:
A short-term rental implements different minimum stay requirements for different days:
- Friday requires a 3-night stay.
- Saturday and Sunday require a 5-night stay.
Booking Scenarios:
- A guest checking in on Thursday: They must stay Thursday to Sunday (3 nights) to meet Friday's restriction.
- A guest checking in on Friday: They must stay Friday to Thursday (6 nights total) to meet the 5-night rule for Sunday.
- A guest checking in on Saturday or Sunday: They must stay a minimum of 5 nights, ensuring they check out by Thursday or Friday.
Availability
The availability of Minimum Stay on Arrival (MLos) and MinStay Through varies across platforms integrated with PriceLabs. Here is how these restrictions are supported:
Minimum Stay on Arrival (MLos):
The majority of platforms integrated with PriceLabs support MLos, except MiniHotel and Lodgify.
MinStay Through:
- MinStay Through is supported by a limited number of platforms. Currently, MiniHotel and Lodgify are the only platforms integrated with PriceLabs that allow the use of MinStay Through.
Setting minimum stay restrictions is essential in the short-term rental industry as it helps maximize revenue, improve occupancy rates, and optimize booking patterns. Whether using Minimum Stay on Arrival (MLos) or MinStay Through, these restrictions play a crucial role in balancing guest flexibility with business needs.
By strategically implementing and managing minimum stay policies, property owners can reduce gaps in occupancy, attract the right type of guests, and create a more consistent revenue stream. Understanding how these rules work and how they are supported on different platforms ensures an efficient and well-structured booking strategy for any short-term rental business.