Boost visibility and increase bookings with Booking.com Genius program

Benefits of joining the Genius Program for hosts

Increased visibility

One of the main advantages of the Genius program is that your property will receive increased visibility. Booking.com gives preference to Genius properties in their search rankings, so your listing is more likely to appear at the top of search results. Additionally, travellers often use the Genius filter to find accommodation, which will enhance your property's chances of being seen.

Higher occupancy rates 

By offering exclusive discounts to Genius members, your property becomes more attractive to frequent travellers. This approach often leads to higher occupancy rates, as the visibility boost applies to your entire property.

Lower cancellation rates 

Genius customers are required to log in to access their discounts, which means their booking details are recorded. This reduces the likelihood of anonymous and casual cancellations, making it more likely that these bookings will be honoured.

Exclusive perks for guests 

As a Genius property, you can offer additional perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades, and priority customer service. These benefits make your property more appealing and can lead to repeat bookings from satisfied guests.

Benefits of joining the Genius Program for guests

Booking.com's Genius program offers three levels of exclusive benefits for loyal guests, each designed to enhance their travel experience with greater rewards and keep them coming back to Booking.com to book their next stay.

Genius Level 1:

• Instantly unlocked by creating a free Booking.com account.

• Access to 10% discounts on select stays and hire cars worldwide.

Genius Level 2:

• Requires completing five bookings within two years.

• Offers additional perks such as complimentary breakfast and free room upgrades at select properties.

Genius Level 3:

• Achieved after fifteen bookings.

• Includes the highest rewards, such as steeper discounts and priority customer service.

For property owners, understanding how the Genius program levels work for dedicated guests is beneficial. Guests at higher Genius levels are more likely to become repeat customers. Hosts can attract high-value guests who are incentivised to book through exclusive discounts and added benefits, leading to increased occupancy and revenue. The more appealing the loyalty program, the more likely guests are to choose your property over others.

How to become eligible for the Booking.com Genius program

If you're a Travelnest host looking for new ways to boost the visibility of your holiday rental, attract more high-value guests, and increase revenue, joining Booking.com's Genius program is a smart move. To become eligible for this program, make sure your property meets these three criteria:

Open as much availability as possible

If you're a Travelnest host listing your holiday rental on Booking.com, it's important to have as many dates as possible available on your Travelnest calendar. This ensures that your property is open and bookable. Any changes you make on your Travelnest calendar will be reflected on the Booking.com calendar and other booking sites listed through Travelnest.

Guest reviews

Your property must have at least three guest reviews on Booking.com.

Maintain a good review score

Your property should maintain a review score of at least 7.5 (or exceed the average score in your area if it's lower).

Once your property meets these requirements, Travelnest hosts will receive an email notifying you that you're eligible for the Genius Program. We'll give you the option to opt into the program. We encourage you to consider the substantial benefits that the Genius program offers. By enhancing your property's appeal to a broader audience, you are increasing your booking rates and setting the stage for greater revenue growth, even after the discount is applied. 

Giving the 10% discount to Genius members

When you join the Genius program, Booking.com automatically applies a 10% discount to your property. While your property will cover the 10% discount for Genius members, this small investment can lead to an average increase of 45% in bookings and 40% in revenue. This boost makes up for the discount, showing how effective the program is at improving your profitability and market presence.

How to opt out of the Booking.com Genius program 

If you decide that the Genius program isn't the right fit for your property at the moment, you have the option to opt out. However, keep in mind that if you deactivate the promotion, you won't be eligible to re-join the Genius Program again for six months.

Consider the benefits carefully before making your decision, as staying in the program could significantly enhance your property's performance.

Make the most of your vacation rental property and all the promotions you can gain access to when you sign up with Travelnest.