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Mobile Rates: Your Hotel's Secret Weapon for More Bookings


  • 28/09/2025
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In today's travel landscape, your hotel's success is tied to a small, powerful device: the smartphone. The data is clear: a massive majority of travelers now research, plan, and book their trips on their phones. But are you truly capitalizing on this trend?

The Mobile-First Traveler

Eight out of every ten guests today book their stays via a mobile device. This isn't just a convenience; it's a fundamental shift in how people travel and book. Both Booking.com and Expedia Group recognize this, which is why they heavily promote mobile-specific deals.

  • Booking.com reports that properties enabling a Mobile Rate can see an increase in mobile bookings by over 20%.
  • Expedia Group also offers "Mobile-only deals" to help hotels tap into this growing segment.

So, what exactly are mobile rates, and why are they so effective?

What is a Mobile Rate?

A Mobile Rate is a special, discounted price that is only visible to guests using a mobile device—either the booking platform's mobile app or their mobile website. By offering a small, targeted discount, you can significantly boost your visibility and appeal to a massive audience of mobile-first bookers.

The typical discount for a mobile rate is 10%, which is the minimum required by both Booking.com and Expedia. While you can offer more, this sweet spot is proven to be effective. It’s enough to feel like a real saving without significantly impacting your revenue per booking.

Why It Works

Think of the mobile rate as a powerful magnet. When a potential guest is scrolling through search results on their phone, a listing with a "Mobile Rate" or "Mobile-only" badge stands out. This can lead to:

  • Increased Visibility: Both Booking.com and Expedia highlight properties that offer mobile rates, giving your hotel a special badge that helps you rise above the competition.
  • Higher Conversion: That small discount makes your property more attractive and can encourage impulsive bookings, especially for last-minute travelers who are often on their phones.
  • Targeted Marketing: You're reaching a specific, highly active segment of travelers who prefer to book on the go. This demographic, especially younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z, are more likely to book on their phones and often leave more reviews, which in turn helps your property's overall ranking.

How to Activate Mobile Rates on Booking.com and Expedia

Ready to start capturing more mobile bookings? The process is simple:

  • Booking.com: Log in to your extranet. Navigate to the "Promotions" section and select "Mobile Rate." You can choose to make the rate available on the app and mobile web, or the app only.
  • Expedia: In Expedia Partner Central, you can create a "Mobile-only deal" in the "Promotions" section of your marketing tools.

Don't let valuable bookings slip through your fingers. By activating a mobile rate, you can make sure your hotel is ready to meet the modern traveler wherever they are and capture a vital segment of the market.

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