Airbnb hosts are no longer limited to just nightly rates for income. By leveraging upsells and add-ons, you can boost your revenue per guest and elevate the overall stay. In the hospitality world, upselling means offering additional products or services to guests after the initial booking – much like a hotel clerk suggesting a room upgrade or a late checkout for a fee. For short-term rental hosts, smart upsells can turn a one-time booking into a more profitable, memorable experience.

Why Upsells Matter in Short-Term Rentals

In the airline industry, budget carriers famously charge for extras like seat selection and snacks. Hotels routinely upsell spa packages or breakfast. Vacation rentals and short-term rentals have just as much (if not more) potential to increase earnings through upsells. In fact, effective Airbnb upselling strategies can boost host revenue by roughly 10–30% on average. That’s significant extra income from each reservation. Hosts using platforms like Frontdesk report an estimated $6,500 in additional revenue per property each year on upsells alone. Clearly, upselling isn’t about nickel-and-diming guests – when done right, it creates a win-win scenario: guests get a richer stay, and hosts earn more.

Popular Upsells and Add-Ons for Airbnb Hosts

Not sure what you can upsell? Think about what would make your guests’ stay easier, more comfortable, or more fun. Here are some top Airbnb upsell ideas:

• Early Check-In or Late Check-Out: Great for guests with odd travel schedules. Many travelers are willing to pay a premium for the convenience of accessing the property a few hours early or leaving later. It solves a problem (what to do with luggage or travel downtime) and you can charge a reasonable fee for this flexibility.
  
  

• Mid-Stay Cleaning or Linen Refresh: Offer a cleaning service during longer stays. Instead of just a one-time cleaning fee, a mid-stay “refresh” can be framed as a luxury (fresh sheets, towels, a tidy space) and can be charged as an add-on. This not only brings extra cash but also keeps your property in good shape.
  
  

• Welcome Baskets or Gift Packages: Assemble a welcome basket with local snacks, a bottle of wine, or specialty coffee. Offer it as an upsell for guests celebrating something or just looking to treat themselves. It adds a personal touch that guests love to pay extra for.
  
  

• Airport Pickup or Transportation: Partner with a local driver or ride-share service to provide airport pickup/drop-off for a fee. It’s hassle-free for guests – especially those new to your city – and you could earn a commission or fee.
  
  

• Equipment Rentals: Depending on your location, guests might need gear. Think bicycles, beach equipment, kayaks, ski gear, or baby equipment. For example, a mountain cabin host could upsell snowshoe rentals; a beach condo host could rent out surfboards. These extras enhance the guest experience and add revenue.
  
  

• Tickets or Tours: Work with local tour operators (city walking tours, food tours, adventure activities) or sell tickets to attractions. As an Airbnb host, you can earn a commission for each guest you refer or include a markup for the convenience of arranging it. Guests get local experiences without the hassle of planning, and you profit.
  
  

• Grocery Delivery or Stocked Fridge: Offer to stock the fridge before check-in with groceries or ready-to-cook meals. Many guests would appreciate arriving to find food and drinks ready, rather than having to grocery shop after a long trip. You can charge for the service (and even add a small markup on the grocery cost for your time).
  
  

• Premium Amenities: Upsell access to a nearby gym, spa services (like an in-home massage or spa day pass), or a hot tub if you can arrange it. Luxury vacation rental guests especially might jump at these add-ons for a resort-like stay.

Remember, not every upsell fits every property. The best add-ons align with your location and your typical guest profile. A downtown apartment might upsell restaurant delivery or parking, while a countryside cottage might focus on firewood bundles or guided hikes.

How to Implement Upsells Seamlessly

Offering upsells shouldn’t feel awkward or “salesy.” The key is timing and presentation:

• Use a Digital Guidebook or App: Instead of trying to sell extras face-to-face or via long messages, use a digital platform. Tools like Frontdesk allow you to list add-ons in a digital guidebook or a “guest store” where guests can browse and purchase extras at their leisure. This feels natural – much like browsing a hotel room service menu. It’s low-pressure.
  
  

• Highlight Value, Not Price: Frame each upsell as an enhancement to their stay. For example, rather than just listing “Late checkout – $50”, present it as “Stay Late and Relax – Extend your checkout to 3 PM for a stress-free departure.” Emphasize the benefit (no rushing, enjoy your morning coffee) so the offer feels like a guest experience upgrade, not a money grab.
  
  

• Perfect Timing: Don’t bombard guests with add-ons immediately after they book. They’ve just paid for their stay, so asking for more money too soon can backfire. A best practice is to wait until closer to their arrival. Many hosts find about a week or 10 days before check-in is ideal – excitement for the trip is building, and guests are more receptive to adding fun or convenient extras. Another opportunity is a day or two after check-in (for things like mid-stay cleans or local tours once they’ve settled in).
  
  

• Keep it Simple: Offer just a handful of relevant upsells rather than an overwhelming menu. Guests appreciate curated options. As the experts say, if everything is special, nothing is special – too many choices can lead to decision fatigue. Pick the 3-5 most valuable add-ons for your audience.
  
  

• Be Transparent: Always clearly state the price and details. Hidden fees or vague offers erode trust. For instance, if you offer an airport pickup, specify the cost or range up front. Being open about costs avoids any surprise and builds credibility.

Real Results from Upselling

Upselling isn’t just a theory – many hosts have seen real revenue growth. For example, hosts who use Frontdesk’s upsell tools have seen on average a 50% increase in experience bookings after implementing a digital concierge service, and about a 40% improvement in response time to guest requests (since the platform automates much of the process). One luxury rental host noted that introducing a menu of local experiences and services via an app felt “spectacular” in reception. Guests loved the convenience and personal touch, and the host loved the boost in income and efficiency.

Even simple upsells add up. Cleaning fees, for instance, are often used by savvy Airbnb hosts to generate a small margin – if you can arrange cleaning for $80 but charge $100, that’s an extra $20 profit off the bat. Multiply small wins like that across various services, and you’ll significantly improve your bottom line.

Tip: Track what upsells guests actually purchase and which ones they ignore. This feedback is gold. Over time, you can refine your offerings to those that resonate most, and even raise prices on very popular ones (ensuring they still provide good value).

Conclusion

By thinking beyond the nightly rate and embracing Airbnb upsells, you unlock new streams of revenue from each booking. The key is to offer genuine value – enhancements that make a guest’s stay easier, more enjoyable, or more memorable. When guests feel you’re anticipating their needs (not just trying to profit), they respond positively. They end up happier (cue better reviews) and you end up with a healthier business.

Start with a couple of add-ons that are easy for you to deliver. As you gain confidence, expand your menu of offerings. With the help of digital guidebooks and automated tools, upselling can be nearly hands-free to manage. It’s one of the most effective ways for short-term rental hosts to boost revenue and guest satisfaction in today’s competitive market. Happy hosting – and happy upselling!