Unlock more bookings on Vrbo with promotions: lessons from our webinar

We recently sat down with Vrbo for a live, instructor-led webinar to show Escapia users exactly how to set up Vrbo promotions and, more importantly, why they matter.  

We learned that hosts using Vrbo promotions see ~10% higher revenue and ~40% more bookings on average. That’s not theory - it’s real impact, and it’s now easier than ever to capture it. 

From time-based offers that fill last-minute gaps to audience-specific promotions that reach high-value travelers, this training walked property managers through every step: setup, strategy, and measurable impact. 

Think of it like this: promotions are a strategic way to influence traveler behavior, optimize occupancy, and boost revenue, all from within Escapia.  

1. Why Vrbo Promotions need to be part of your strategy

“There’s a real emphasis on value. Travelers want to feel that they are getting the best value for the money they’re spending — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they want the cheapest property.”

Devin Miller, Vrbo

Here’s the bottom line: promotions aren’t just discounts, they’re leverage. With promotions, you can: 

  • Boost visibility: pproperties with promotions appear higher in Vrbo search results with eye-catching badges, strike-through pricing, and filter placement.
  • Target the right traveler: reach guests at exactly the right moment — whether they’re booking far in advance or last minute.

Because Escapia and Vrbo operate under Expedia Group, you get insights across the network to make smarter portfolio decisions. 

2. Promotions you can start using today

“Vrbo promos are very visible to travelers… they show the value of the deal and help you drive more conversion and more revenue.”

Devin Miller, Vrbo

The webinar walked PMs through the promotions currently live in Escapia and how they can immediately start influencing bookings. Promotions fall into two main categories — time-based and audience-based — each designed to meet specific goals like filling gaps or reaching high-value travelers. 

Time-Based Promotions

Early Booking: 60-500 days in advance 

  • Average early booking occurs 150 days ahead.
  • Length of stay is 25% longer than standard bookings.
  • Helps fill weekday gaps and plan occupancy in advance.

Last Minute: 1-30 days before checkin

  • Average booking window is 12 days, aligning perfectly with flexible cancellation policies.
  • 40% of last-minute bookings are families, the type of guests you most want.
  • Great for filling unexpected gaps in your calendar.

Audience-Based Promotions (released shortly after webinar)

Member-Only deal: Targets travelers in the Expedia One Key program.

  • 168 million members globally.
  • Typical bookings are longer, higher quality, and 13% higher value than non-members.

Mobile promotion: Reaches travelers booking on mobile devices, which now account for 60% of Vrbo traffic and 50% of bookings.

  • 28% more families book via mobile vs. desktop.
  • Ensures your listing appears prominently to mobile-first travelers

3. Set up promotions in minutes

“You have full control over discount, dates, units, and length-of-stay rules.”

Ibrahim, Escapia Product Team

One of the best parts? These promotions are built directly into Escapia, so operationally they’re simple to implement. No juggling between platforms, no manual updates. PMs can set promotions, edit, and track results in one place, giving you more time to focus on strategy and portfolio growth.

Step-by-step:

  1. Navigate: Performance Dashboard → Rates → Promotions
  2. Click Create Promotion → select type (Early Booking, Last Minute, Mobile/Member-Only) 
  3. Customize 
    • Discount (1-75%)
    • Minimum days in advanced
    • Stay dates & blockouts
    • Length-of-stay rules
    • Units to apply
  4. Save → Escapia distributes the promotion to Vrbo automatically 

Editing & Tracking:

  • Update or deactivate promotions anytime
  • Track Vrbo Promotions results within Escapia reporting

4. Big wins to remember

“If we can get you into the top 15 positions, that receives over 65% of clicks and 80% of bookings.”

Devin Miller, Vrbo

Strategic use of promotions puts PMs in control of occupancy, revenue, and guest quality. How Vrbo promotions serve your business: 

  • Visibility Wins: Badges, filters, and search ranking = more clicks, more bookings. 
  • Influence booking behavior: Early and last-minute promos help you forecast occupancy and fill gaps.
  • Reach High-Value Guests: Audience promotions target members and mobile users who book longer stays and spend more.
  • Measure & Optimize: Escapia reporting keeps you in control of what’s working. 

5. Your next move: turn insights into bookings

  • Check out the on-demand webinar for live demos and walkthroughs.
  • Explore promotions in Escapia today to start driving bookings. 

With these new tools in Escapia, you can leverage Vrbo promotions to increase occupancy, improve revenue, and reach travelers effectively — all from one platform.