How to Get a Discount
Vacation Rental

Get a discount vacation rental and you'll beat the crowds and save up to 50%! Read on for five easy ways to save on your next beach house vacation rental.

But scoring a discount vacation rental makes your luxury beach vacation a real bargain.

Renting direct from the owner, traveling in the off-season or booking at the last minute can save you up to 50%!

And be sure to keep an eye out for special offers -- such as discounts for repeat renters and referrals. More and more, an owner or vacation rental property manager is inclined to offer enlisted personnel visiting their families discount military vacations.

Click here to find a
discount vacation rental in

California.

# 1. Ask!

"A lot of people tell us flat out, 'We know, with the economy the way it is, that vacation rental owners will be more likely to bargain,'" a rental property manager told me recently. And it's true, discounts are available for people who ask.

Nicely.

With the cushion of a management fee, vacation rental property managers have more room to negotiate pricing than many individual owners' prices may already be 10% to 40% lower.

Expect to get a 10% discount from rental property managers. "We use our best judgment and see what we can do. If the prospective renter want more than that, we call the owner and say, 'What do you think'?" the rental property manager told me.

Some owners are simply not willing to budge on price. Others will listen to a reasonable offer. It (literally) pays to be a respectful bargain-hunter. Resist the urge to remind an owner that "You can stay empty or rent at the price I'm willing to pay." Many an owner still smarts from an encounter with a discount-hound (they call them something else) who left behind a huge mess.

"I am a lot more inclined to lower my rates if the deal-seeker is not ridiculous or offensive with his request," one owner said.

"If I can throw them a 10% discount or an extra day on their reservation, I will," said another.

The best vacation values typically go to those who ask.

Rates can be as much as 50% lower! And you won't have to fight crowds. In a place like Santa Barbara, winter is not too much different than summer (especially if you're used to snow).

For years, my husband and I have planned our trips during the "shoulder season" -- that oh-so-sweet spot between the dead of winter and the tourist-clogged summer high season.

In San Diego, the off-season begins in October, still plenty sunny and warm. Rates go up a little during the spring shoulder season (March through May).

If you book a couple of weeks before the start of the high season, you'll pay less for essentially the same experience.

There's a lot to love about booking a discount vacation rental in the off season. Picture your favorite beach the day after school starts. Divine weather, acres of sand and no kids. (Sorry families!)

Plus, you can reserve a table at 7 (rather than 5 or 10 p.m.) and you might even be able to chat with the chef.

I also happen to love watching a good winter storm roll (as long as there's a fireplace to snuggle up to). But winter weather on the California coast is often more likely to brilliantly sunny with just a slight nip in the air. It's completely reasonable to take your chances!


#3. Take a weekend trip mid-week.

Often you can score a discount vacation rental by simple changing your schedule. For example, arrive on Sunday or Monday and leave on Wednesday or Thursday.

A regularly priced vacation rental may turn into a discount vacation rental when you book your stay 10 days to two weeks before you arrive.

#5. A discount vacation rental can be one with no extra fees attached.

A (refundable) security deposit and (non-refundable) cleaning fee are common. But here are some other fees that can cancel out savings on discount rentals:

Linen and Towel Service. Some vacation rentals don't included linens or towels. You can either schlep your own or pay an extra $50 to $100 to include them in the rental price.

Non-Refundable Damage Waiver. Typically a fee ranging from $25 to $100 per person.

Use of Amenities Fee. If you're renting a home in a gated community or condominium complex, you could be charged a separate fee for using the golf course or beach chairs.

Non-Refundable Pet Deposit. Or a flat fee for bringing pets along could wipe out any savings from not having to board them.

Hot Tub Cleaning. Pay it if you plan to spend a lot of time soaking. But if you know you won't be using the hot tub, you may be able to negotiate this fee out of the contract.

Heating Fee. To make the pool or hot tub inhabitable.

It's also a good idea to bring along a calling card -- for two reasons. Your cell phone may not work. These days, more and more vacation rental homes include unlimited long distance calling. Then again, some owners or managers do levy a surcharge for local and/or long distance calling.

Best to ask if you plan to use the phone a lot. If you absolutely must make calls, bring a prepaid phone card with you.

Did you know ... every vacation rental property manager profile
includes discount policies?

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