Mobile price only: Meaning & tips for hotels

What is mobile only price?

A mobile-only price is a promotional offer from hotels to travellers that is exclusively available when booking through mobile devices. When guests ask, “what does a mobile-only price mean?”, they are inquiring about a special discount that hotels offer to encourage mobile bookings. This strategy is particularly effective for engaging a mobile-savvy audience – think younger travellers and those working in a rush/on a budget – and securing last-minute reservations to optimise occupancy and revenue targets.

This is such a popular method, that many online travel agencies have mobile-only pricing baked into their offering to hotels connected via a channel manager.

This blog will tell you everything you need to know about mobile only prices and other targeted rate strategies that can bring your hotel revenue success.

Table of contents

What does mobile only price mean when booking a hotel?

Your hotel can offer mobile-only prices by using a channel manager system that supports mobile-specific rates and partnering with online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com and Expedia, which allow for mobile-only pricing. They should ensure their own mobile websites and apps can display these exclusive rates.

Creating targeted promotions and discounts for mobile users, marketing these offers through social media and email, and using analytics to track performance and adjust strategies are also crucial. Clear communication about the benefits of booking via mobile devices will help attract more guests to take advantage of these special rates.

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The importance of mobile only price for hotels

When you consider that more than 60 of the world’s population now owns a smartphone, it makes sense that hotel marketing and mobile devices should go hand in hand.

Not only is mobile ownership skyrocketing, so too is the use of mobile devices to research and book travel. Consider these statistics:

52% of travellers use a mobile device to find information about hotels, restaurants, tours, and activities
The preferred channel for last-minute bookings is mobile
Total bookings on mobile for hotels were above 40% in recent years
63% of US travellers say it’s extremely important to use a smartphone when planning a trip, while nearly two-thirds rely on a mobile app during their trip
More than 80% of travel bookings now take place without human interaction

By making mobile users a priority, you’ll be able to find tremendous value in implementing mobile-only promotions and rate restrictions for your hotel.

Why should hotels offer exclusive mobile price only promotions?

Hotels should offer exclusive mobile price-only promotions because they provide a strategic advantage in today’s mobile-centric travel market.

Here’s why:

Capitalise on mobile traffic: With a significant number of users researching and planning their travel on mobile devices, offering exclusive mobile-only discounts can effectively convert this intent into bookings. The high volume of mobile traffic presents an excellent opportunity to attract and secure bookings with enticing mobile-exclusive rates.
Drive immediate conversions: A discounted mobile rate can be the deciding factor for a guest deciding whether to book immediately or continue searching. The perception of getting a special deal encourages guests to make quick decisions, increasing the likelihood of a booking on the spot. This sense of urgency and exclusivity is beneficial for boosting your hotel’s occupancy rates and revenue.
Boost visibility on OTAs: Mobile price-only promotions can also enhance your hotel’s visibility on online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com. Mobile rates can improve your mobile ranking, which is distinct from your desktop ranking, leading to increased exposure and more potential bookings. This additional visibility can attract more viewers to your listing, further increasing the chances of conversions.

Offering exclusive mobile price-only promotions not only leverages the growing trend of mobile bookings but also provides a competitive edge in attracting and converting potential guests quickly and effectively.

Does Booking.com have mobile only prices?

Yes, Booking.com is one of the OTAs that allows your hotel to promote mobile-exclusive rates.

Data from Booking.com shows that 59% of all bookings are now made on a mobile device, making the feature particularly valuable.

Additionally, properties that offer a mobile rate on Booking.com experience:

3% more click-throughs
24% more attempted bookings
22% more bookings from mobile customers

Targeted rates other than mobile only prices that can boost hotel profit

Mobile prices aren’t the only exclusive rates you can offer to guests booking on OTAs like Booking.com. You can also apply country rates and rates that allow you to maximise the value of each individual reservation.

What are country rates?

Country rates are a targeted pricing tool that you can use on Booking.com that allows your hotel to offer a particular price to guests from specific countries and regions. With international travel on the rise again, it’s a great way to entice international travellers with special or discounted rates.

Offering such a competitive rate will also help you be more visible to the travellers in the countries you target.

International guests tend to book their trip earlier and cancel less frequently, so you’ll be able to better manage your property’s revenue.

What does price per guest mean?

Pricing per guest (PPG) is an additional way of optimising the revenue return from each room.

Also available on Booking.com, it works by allowing your property to set different rates for the same room based on the number of guests staying in it, the length of the stay or a combination of both.

Not only is this a way to maximise profit, it will also enable you to maximise occupancy and improve your visibility in search results.