Pros and Cons of Offering Discounts for Extended Stays

Name: Mainstay Hosts
Address: 6400 31st Terrace North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33710, US
Telephone: 813-467-6333
Price range: $

Published May 8th, 2025 by Mainstay Hosts

General

Extended stays fill your calendar and cut down on the constant shuffle of guests. One booking can cover weeks, not just a weekend. That means less cleaning, fewer gaps, and a steadier payout. But the right discount matters. Get it wrong, and you lose money or attract the wrong crowd. Every detail counts, from who books to how your place holds up over time.

Getting Extended Stay Discounts Right

Discounts for weekly or monthly stays aren’t about slashing prices. They’re about targeting the right guests and filling your calendar with less hassle. Here’s what works in the the the real world:

Start with 10-15% off for weekly bookings. This draws in families, traveling professionals, and guests who want a home base for more than a quick trip.
Offer 25-40% off for monthly stays, especially during slow seasons. Empty nights cost more than a well-priced long booking.
Watch your local market. If demand spikes, scale back discounts. If bookings slow, get aggressive to keep occupancy up.
Factor in lower turnover costs. Fewer cleanings, less laundry, and less wear on your team.
Don’t ignore utilities. Longer stays mean higher water, power, and internet use. Build this into your pricing.

Our dynamic pricing strategy proves that smart discounting can boost total revenue. The key is balancing lower nightly rates with with the savings from fewer turnovers and steadier occupancy. Owners who track these numbers see the difference on their bottom line.

Real Revenue Shifts

Turnover costs eat into profits. Every time a guest leaves, you pay for cleaning, laundry, and a reset. With extended stays, those costs drop. One guest for a month means one cleaning, not four. That’s real money back in your pocket.

Guests who book for a month often become regulars. Digital nomads, traveling nurses, and remote workers look for properties that welcome longer stays. These guests respect the space and often return for future trips. Our listing optimization approach highlights these strengths, making your property stand out to the right audience.

Cleaning and maintenance costs shift, too. Fewer turnovers mean less wear on appliances, furniture, and flooring. The property stays in better shape, and your team can focus on deep cleaning between long bookings instead of rushing through quick flips. See the impact in your cleaning and maintenance costs over time.

Setting Clear Expectations for Long-Term Guests

Longer stays bring new challenges. Guests settle in, use more utilities, and expect a different level of service.

Spell out what’s included: utilities, internet, cleaning, and any extras.
Update house rules for longer occupancy. Address things like mail, package delivery, and guest visitors.
Schedule regular check-ins. A quick message or visit keeps communication open and problems small.
Offer amenities that matter for long stays, such as extra linens, a full kitchen setup, or a workspace.
Be flexible with payments. Some guests prefer to pay monthly, especially for longer bookings.

Success with extended stays depends on strong guest communication systems. Set expectations from the start. Professional management isn’t optional. It’s essential when someone calls your property home for weeks or months. We’ve seen how our guest communication services help prevent misunderstandings and keep long-term guests satisfied.

Protecting Your Property

Long-term guests bring stability, but they also bring risk. A guest who stays for a month can do more damage than a weekend visitor if you’re not careful. Screening matters. Don’t skip it. Use thorough guest screening to filter out problem renters before they get the keys. At MainStay Hosts, we take guest screening seriously to protect your investment and ensure peace of mind.

Document everything. Take photos before and after each stay. Keep records of communication, payments, and any issues. Schedule regular property checks. Don’t wait until the end of a long booking to find out something’s wrong.