Appearing on AMEX Travel and Google Vacation Homes

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Appearing on AMEX Travel and Google Vacation Homes

Christina B.
Boulder, CO · Member since 2023 · 179 posts · 101 votes

Curious if this is true for most of us here? I checked and yes, we're there (on AMEX Travel). But I don't know if Airbnb will pass on to us the knowledge that guest found us via AMEX Travel (which I would want to know). Airbnb logo is prominent on those homes for rent via AMEX. Also, unless it's corporate (have to book because of work), my past experience has been AMEX Travel is not price competitive so I don't tend to use them personally.

I'm half curious if this is Airbnb's response to all the homes that get listed on Google Vacation Homes (without a PMS but because of VRBO)- as I just noticed we're appearing there as well. What I love is-Google is showing our direct booking site in addition to the option to book on VRBO. Yass!

If we add or replace with MTR, will look into FurnishedFinder and Zillow! Options are good.

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  • John RacinePro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Casselberry, FL · Member since 2008 · 81 posts · 47 votes
    1d

    Christina, I can shed a little light on the AMEX side. I'm a Platinum cardholder, and I just got a notice from Amex about a new relationship with Airbnb, with credits cardholders can earn on the back end. With that setup, I wouldn't expect Airbnb to tell you a guest came in through AMEX. The booking will most likely look like any other Airbnb reservation, and the perks stay between Amex and its cardholder. If you want to know, the low-tech fix is adding a "how did you find us?" line to your check-in message for a few months. It's not elegant, but it's data you can trust. And Google showing your direct site next to VRBO is a real win. That's free traffic most of us would pay for.

    Since you mentioned Furnished Finder and Zillow for MTR, here's how the channels have actually shaken out for me with most of my calendar at 30+ day stays:

    • Airbnb is still where most of my 30+ day guests actually book.

    • Furnished Finder has worked better as a lead source than a booking channel. I did just pick up a great 90-day booking there, but it was my first in almost 8 months on the platform. Mostly, expect inquiries you'll have to work and vet yourself, not bookings that drop onto the calendar.

    • Zillow has generated some activity, so it's worth listing.

    If you go that route, you don't have to flip the whole calendar at once. I set 30-60 day minimums and only let short stays fill gaps of a few days up to two weeks. I also hold a 60-day window open after each stay so a mid-term guest can extend. I've had a construction crew extend four times and stay 90+ days because that window was there. You get to test mid-term demand without giving up your best short-stay weeks.

    Which months are softest for you? That's where I'd test it first.

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  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10h

    Have not tested the Amex yet, but for my property management portfolio is on Capital One Travel portal and on Google Vacation Rentals :)

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
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