Vrbo’s New “Last Minute Deals” – What You Need to Know (and How AI Can Help)
Fill empty nights, not with panic—but with strategy, smart pricing, and AI prompts.
TL;DR:
Vrbo just launched a new feature that promotes discounted stays booked within 30 days of check-in. These listings get a “Last minute” badge in search and are actively promoted across Vrbo’s site and social media. The feature could help boost your visibility and fill gaps—but only if used strategically. Below, I break down what’s new and how AI can help you make the most of it—with plug-and-play prompts included.
What's New on Vrbo?
Vrbo’s Last Minute Deals feature allows hosts to offer discounts on short-notice bookings. The key points:
Listings get a “Last minute” badge in search results.
Travelers can filter for these deals via the Vrbo website and app.
Vrbo is actively promoting these deals via homepage banners, app features, and social media.
You can activate this feature from your dashboard:
Rates & Discounts → Promotions → Last Minute Deals
Why This Matters
Guest behavior is changing: More bookings are happening at the last minute.
Host competition is increasing: Not participating may reduce your search visibility.
Vrbo is emphasizing transparency: “No hidden fees” is now a guest expectation.
It’s part of a bigger play: This tool is one of several in Vrbo’s new Promotions Suite (which includes early booking, mobile-only, and members-only deals).
Mobile-first is here: Make sure your listing photos, layout, and booking flow look great on phones.
How AI Can Help You Work This to Your Advantage
1. Dynamic Pricing Without Guesswork
Tools like Wheelhouse, PriceLabs, or Beyond can adjust your rates automatically based on demand, lead time, and booking trends—so you're not undercutting yourself or dropping rates blindly.
2. Predict Booking Gaps Before They Happen
Use AI to analyze patterns and suggest smart responses before your calendar goes empty.
Prompt:
Analyze my booking calendar and tell me which upcoming dates are most likely to remain unbooked based on past patterns. Here's my booking history: [insert key dates or describe patterns]. Suggest 3 ideas to fill those gaps without heavy discounts.Follow-up prompt:
What kinds of guests typically book last-minute for these dates, and what incentives might attract them?
3. Smarter Messaging for Last-Minute Guests
AI can help you write thoughtful, on-brand replies in seconds—saving you time when guests book last-minute.
Prompt:
Write a warm, friendly confirmation message for a guest who just booked a last-minute stay. Include: check-in instructions, parking info, and a casual offer for early check-in at a small fee.
Optional variations:
Rewrite this message for a luxury property
Shorten this for SMS
Make it sound relaxed and beachy
4. Quick Promo Content for Social or Email
Got an open weekend you want to fill? Let AI help you promote it with urgency—without sounding pushy.
Prompt:
Write a short and engaging social media caption to promote a last-minute deal for a 2-night stay this weekend. The property is a cozy cabin with a hot tub and mountain views. Mention that it’s walkable to local trails.
Optional tweaks:
Turn this into a subject line + email body
Add a subtle sense of urgency
Use a playful and informal tone
5. Learn from Your Booking Data
Ask AI to help identify booking trends so you can refine your strategy, especially for late bookings.
Prompt:
Summarize my past booking trends. Guests usually book [insert average lead time] in advance. I want to know: 1) When most last-minute bookings happen 2) Which months I’ve had the most gaps 3) What price point usually fills those late staysFollow-up prompt:
Based on this, what should my last-minute pricing strategy be for the next 30 days?
Finally…
Vrbo’s Last Minute Deals can help fill calendar gaps and improve your visibility, but they’re most effective when combined with dynamic pricing, clear messaging, and a strategic mindset.
AI can simplify all of that—so you don’t have to guess, stress, or spend hours managing it.