7+ Best Ancillary Software for Short-term and Vacation Rentals: Upsells and Additional Revenue Streams

July 11, 2022 | Amelia Melching

With short-term rentals becoming increasingly popular, the upsell industry has been taking off. Many short-term property managers and vacation rental owners are looking for opportunities to upsell their offerings through ancillary services. 

By definition, ancillary means “supporting primary activities.” For short-term and vacation rental owners, these upsells provide additional revenue streams. And the easiest and best way to manage and implement these upsells is through the best ancillary software on the market.

New technology makes it easier for property managers to manage their property, from customizable dynamic pricing tools (like Wheelhouse) to upsell software. Missing out on these software means missing out on potential revenue, saved time, and improved efficiencies. 

What is ancillary software?

Ancillary software sometimes goes by the name “ancillary management system” (AMS). It’s a type of vacation rental software that:

    • Manages ancillary products and services

    • Integrates with other applications

    • Disperses rewards where applicable

    • Shows insights through analytics and custom reports

As you can see, ancillary software isn’t always directly dedicated to outright upsells. It also can provide insights that can increase revenue indirectly, too.

Ancillary software for hotels

The original ancillary software for hotels was simple: the art of upselling. A customer representative might ask if you’d like a room upgrade, late check-out, room service, a robe to take home, and so on. 

But customers don’t only see these as upsells. Ancillary services improve customer experience and drive loyalty, especially through customer rewards programs.  

Ancillary software has surpassed hotels as their only environment. Airbnb’s and short-term rental managers are now using them too.

How can short-term and vacation rentals use ancillary software?

Today’s vacation rental management company can use ancillary software to meet every customer’s dream while traveling. 

If your accommodation is lakeside, you might offer canoes and kayaks to rent. Or, you could provide convenient services like luggage storage, late check-out, pet sitting, and more. We’ll get into more ideas for additional revenue streams in our next section.

Additional Revenue Streams and Upsell Options

Ancillary services are a chance to get creative with revenue. How can you best support your customer’s experience? For example, would they enjoy a dedicated fridge shelf with beers for purchase? That might save them a trip to the store, especially if they’re in a time crunch.

  • Other additional revenue streams and upsell options include:


    • Late check-out

    • Early check-in

    • Tour guide services

    • Selling local art or goods 

    • Stocked fridge

    • Grocery delivery

    • Luggage storage outside of occupancy time

    • Sports equipment, like canoes and kayaks

    • Hygiene kits

    • Airport transportation

    • Babysitters and pet sitters

    • Flowers

    • Birthday supplies

    • Pet fees

    • Local delicacies 

    • Cooked meals 

    • Rentable transportation 

How Ancillary Software Supports Upgrade Conversions

Overall, ancillary software benefits all parties. Guests get to enjoy unforgettable experiences, while property managers watch their bottom line grow. Here are a few benefits of ancillary software:

    • Offering a diverse range of additional services and experiences attracts new clientele and elevates the guest experience.

    • Having unique product and service offerings opens the door to enriched marketing opportunities, engaging even wider audiences.

    • Catering to the whims of guests creates new and unexpected income streams.

    • New income streams create a buffer for seasonal lows or unexpected slow periods

Best Ancillary Software for Short-term and Vacation Rentals

Our take? The best ancillary software for short-term and vacation rentals is customizable for both property managers and guests. 

Let’s dive into our list of the best ancillary software:

Duve

duve logo

Based in Australia, Duve is primarily a guest management software system, though it has some ancillary software functions. The app allows guests to easily book upsells like transportation, early check-in, local activities, luggage storage, welcome packages, marketplace, and customizable in-house services for a price.

  • Features: 

    • Upsells for in-house services

    • Third-party supplier upsells

    • Unified inbox

    • Early check-in

    • Transportation booking

    • Local activity booking

    • Late check-out upsell


    Pros: 

    • User-friendly

    • Extensive upsell options


    Cons:

    • Based in Australia might mean customer support might not always be available 


    Pricing 

    • Basic: $6/room/month

    • Pro: $7.50/room/month

    • Premium: $10/room/month

    • Enterprise: Custom

Eviivo

Eviivo prides itself on being a one-stop solution for everything that can improve a property manager’s efficiency with exclusive packages to rake in ancillary revenue from guests. 

Watch out for occupancy consistency, though. Some reviews cite issues with multiple bookings that cost them a significant amount of lost revenue.

  • Features: 

    • Contactless check-in

    • Multi-calendar synchronization

    • Availability management

    • Vendor management

    • Integrations

    • Color-coded diaries

    • Adjustable room prices

  • Pros: 

    • Frequent updates

    • Quick customer service

  • Cons:

    • Reviewers cite listings incorrectly marked “sold-out,” resulting in lost revenue

    • System outages

    • No single dashboard to view occupancy and bookings

    • Additional costs that add up


    Pricing 

    • Eviivo Connect: $30/month

    • Eviivo Suite: $35/month

    • Eviivo Everything: $57/month

Mount

mount logo

Mount is a completely dedicated ancillary software, especially for Airbnbs. The platform lets you offer creative upsells like scooters, paddleboards, personal trainers, kayaks, private chefs, masseuses, and much more. 

This resourceful ancillary software helps property managers and owners leverage what they already have to increase revenue. You can either buy new amenities to offer or sign up existing assets to work for you!

  • Features: 

    • Upsells for various luxury services, from masseuses to private chefs

    • Sports and transportation equipment rentals like paddleboards, snow equipment, golf carts, and scooters

    • Reservable amenities or the ability to list your own 

    • Insurable amenities



    Pros: 

    • Unique upsell options

    • Enhanced customer experience

    • Returnable amenities


    Cons:

    • It may not be a best fit for owners that don’t have these amenities to offer


    Pricing 

    • Not listed. 

Enso Connect

enso connect logo

Enso Connect is a guest experience operating system that integrates with your property management software and other ancillary providers to facilitate personalized upsells. Their app, Boarding Pass, allows guests to check-in and out, arrange early check-ins and late check-outs, and access other services without having to phone a concierge. 

Even better, the app can be personalized to include your own branding, and configured with your terms and conditions. The program will soon offer connectivity with service providers in your local area to extend your offerings. 

  • Features: 

    • Security verification tools

    • Remote check-in

    • Custom upsells

    • Digital concierge

    • Personalized guides

    • Messaging and marketing

  • Pros: 

    • Easier guest onboarding process eliminates back and forth communications

    • Automated check-in is a huge time-saver

    • Integrates with many PMS systems

  • Cons:

    • If you’re not already using a PMS, you’ll have limited functionality

    • All PMS systems don’t integrate yet 

  • Pricing 

    • Prices are not listed online. Instead, they prefer you to book a demo. 

Zeevou

zeevou logo

Zeevou calls itself a “global community” dedicated to helping short-term rental managers streamline their processes. A property management system,  Zeevou’s ancillary software offers a rewards/loyalty program, in which guests are rewarded for upgrading, booking more often, and spending more money. 

It also offers a single dashboard to manage your check-ins and an owner portal to help property managers watch their revenue. 


  • Features: 

    • Lead management

    • Housekeeping management

    • Guest communications

    • Loyalty program

    • Real-time reporting

    • Integrations

    • 200+ partner channels


    Pros: 

    • 24/7 support

    • Convenient automation tasks

    • Connectivity with third-party software and applications

    • Single dashboard for multi-calendar viewing


    Cons:

    • Not the easiest user interface to use

    • Reviewers report some bugs

    • Limited functionality on mobile

    • Misses overbooking sometimes


    Pricing 


    • Basic (Spark): Free

    • Essential (Glow): $29/month

    • Pro (Blaze): $45/month

    • Supreme (Dazzle): $82/month

Minoan Experience

Minoan logo

Minoan Experience is a unique ancillary software that allows guests to purchase the furniture in the unit they’re currently renting. Have you ever noticed a lovely, futuristic lamp or divine, soft cushion in an Airbnb? So have guests! Now, they can purchase those eye-catching products with Minoan Experience with a referral link that goes back to you. 

Some product examples include modern speakers, mugs, coffee table books, and more.

  • Features: 

    • Partnered with 160+brands with countless products to choose from

    • Commission of product sales


    Pros: 

    • Innovative ancillary solution

    • Revenue from every sold product

    • Gain an ROI on the purchased furniture


    Cons:

    • Dedicated only to furniture and accessories, so not the best fit if that isn’t your focus


    Pricing 

    • Not listed

Ok2Charge

ok2charge logo

OK2Charge is the first smart solution that offers EV charging for short-term rental guests. With the platform, guests can rapidly charge their electric vehicles worry-free while on the beach or exploring a local activity with the family. 

The platform is a great marketing tactic for environmentally conscious guests — and a perfect upsell opportunity. 

  • Features: 

    • Pay-per-use or flat-rate charging

    • Flexible pricing

    • Smart updates for guests


    Pros: 

    • An elevated guest experience with phone updates on charging

    • Improve public image with environmentally conscious innovation


    Cons:

    • Niche, so if you don’t have the opportunity to install an EV charging it isn’t the best fit 


    Pricing 

    • Not listed

Best Ancillary Software for Your Short-term and Vacation Rentals?

The best ancillary software for short-term and vacation rentals depends on a few factors. Our advice? Conduct market research to find out more about your customer needs—are they interested in sports? Environmentally conscious? Luxury-minded? Learning more about your customer will help you offer customizable solutions to meet their needs. 

But one thing is constant for all property managers and short-term rental businesses: pricing. Regardless of customer profiles, your listing price can make or break your revenue each quarter. That’s why Wheelhouse works tirelessly to provide the most accurate competitor data, dynamic pricing strategies, and market research to inform laser-sharp pricing adjustments and customizable reports. 

Enhance your profits and pump up revenue with Wheelhouse today! You can book a free consultation and demo right now.

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