How it works
When you enable Instant Booking on your listings, all booking requests from travellers are instantly confirmed, and the traveller's credit card is charged for the initial amount. You'll receive a confirmation email that includes the details of the booking, and the reservation is automatically updated in your Reservation Manager.
If a traveller doesn't meet the requirements of your House Rules, or our Policies, Terms and Conditions, you can still cancel their booking. In this instance, it's best to ask the traveller to submit a cancellation request through their traveller account under My Trips, so the cancellation doesn't affect your metrics. If a traveller meets all your house rules, the reservation should only be cancelled at the traveller's request.
The benefits
Many factors go into determining your listings' performance. Instant Booking is one of the factors that determines your rank and search position on our site. For example, if there are two properties where all things are equal except that one has Instant Booking enabled and the other one doesn't, the property with Instant Booking will rank higher. In addition to improving your search position, here are a few other Instant Booking benefits:
- Maximise bookings – With Instant Booking, travellers are just one-click away from a confirmed booking – providing the fastest and easiest way to book your property. When travellers can book right then and there, there's less need to shop around!
- Stay in control – Your House Rules let travellers know what is and isn't allowed when staying at your property. They must accept your rules before booking. If the traveller doesn't meet your House Rules, you can still cancel. Additionally, if you need more time to prepare for bookings, you can always adjust the Reservation settings from your account.
- Attract more travellers – travellers can filter their search for properties with Instant Booking, so they'll only see properties available for immediate booking. These listings show with a lightning bolt icon, so it's easy to identify.
- Save time – When you receive bookings automatically, there is no need to review and approve each booking request manually.
- Increased exposure – Instant Booking properties also appear to travellers who visit Expedia Group sites – which is over 750 million times a month!
- Opt-out at any time – You can easily switch from Instant Booking to 24-hour review from your account.
- Log in to your account
- If you have more than one property, click on the appropriate listing
- Click Property in the navigation menu
- Click Rules and policies
- Click Booking type
- Select Instant Booking or 24-hour review
- Click Save