January 1, 2025•2 min read
Booking Lead Time: The Secret to Maximizing Short-Term Rental Revenue
RentalIntel Team
Real Estate Investment Experts
When do guests book your Airbnb?
Booking Lead Time (how far in advance guests reserve) helps you optimize pricing and maximize revenue.
The Formula
Where:
- Short Lead Time (0-7 days) = Last-minute travelers
- Medium Lead Time (8-30 days) = Standard bookings
- Long Lead Time (30+ days) = Advance planners
Real-Life Example
Your Short-Term Rental Data
| Booking Date | Stay Date | Lead Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Jan 5 | 4 |
| Jan 3 | Jan 10 | 7 |
| Jan 10 | Feb 20 | 41 |
Booking Lead Time Calculation
Average Lead Time:
What Does a 17-Day Lead Time Mean?
- If lead time drops, it may signal a demand problem.
- If lead time rises, guests are booking early—consider raising prices.
When Booking Lead Time Matters (and When It Doesn’t)
✅ Essential for short-term rental pricing strategy
✅ Helps predict high and low seasons
❌ Not relevant for long-term rentals
❌ Can be misleading without occupancy data
Pro Tips
- Use dynamic pricing tools (like AirDNA, PriceLabs) to adjust rates based on lead time.
- Offer discounts for last-minute bookings to avoid vacant nights.
- Track lead time trends—high lead time = raise prices, low lead time = adjust marketing.
The Bottom Line
Booking Lead Time directly affects occupancy & revenue.
Track it, adjust pricing accordingly, and maximize your STR income.
What’s your average lead time for bookings? Let’s discuss in the comments!
