#BOOKDIRECT AND SAVE WITH MRA
With prime rental season around the corner (spring and summer will be here before you know it), many vacationers are starting the process of planning their spring break and summer getaways. Those of us in the travel and tourism industry, specifically in the short-term vacation rental space, know the benefits of booking your stay directly through a property manager instead of using an online travel agency (OTA) like VRBO, AirBnB, Expedia, etc. But, do our potential guests and travelers?
What is #BookDirect Day?
National Book Direct Day is held annually on the first Wednesday of February. It is a day of education, devoted to sharing the advantages of booking your vacation stay directly with a property manager as opposed to using online travel agencies like those mentioned above. The observation debuted on social media in 2018 and has since grown into a movement for vacation rental managers across the country.
Beyond hidden fees, there are disadvantages to booking your accommodation through an OTA. For starters, booking your Oak Island vacation using an OTA typically means missing out on the locally curated, boots-on-the-ground service and insider experience that booking with a vacation rental or property management company like Margaret Rudd & Associates offers. Here, we break down some of the additional reasons for booking direct this year!
Top Reasons to #BookDirect for Your Oak Island Vacation
1. Flexible, Transparent Pricing
Many OTAs offer all-inclusive or "transparent" pricing, but how transparent is it? Oftentimes, the advertised rates shown cover the cost of the base rent, charges incurred for cleaning, linen rentals, and pet fees. You typically will also see a service fee attached to the reservation charged by the OTA. But, did you know that behind the scenes they also charge a fee to list properties on their sites which likely drives the all-inclusive pricing higher? Many properties listed on OTA sites are also managed by a vacation rental manager or property management company. This means that in addition to the OTA service fee, you are likely paying the fee that is charged to the management company for listing the property on the OTA site in the first place. Oftentimes, managers will cover the cost of this fee by driving up the rental rates of the property itself - meaning higher costs than just booking direct.
While cleaning and linens are included for most reservations, when booking directly with Margaret Rudd & Associates, travelers have the flexibility to opt out of certain costs to lower the overall price of their stay. These costs include items like the pet fee, pool heating, travel insurance and damage protection. For many OTA sites, guests are not even offered the option of protecting their vacation investment by adding travel insurance.
In addition, guests who book direct can benefit from seasonal promotions and savings, or last-minute booking specials offered by individual owners - an advantage not readily available with an OTA.
2. Local Expertise
When booking directly through a local rental agency, you receive quality information from those who directly live, work, and play in the area where you'll be staying. The intimate knowledge those representatives have can make a difference when it comes to your overall vacation experience.
Our staff can suggest homes to suit your needs, listen to your preferences and match you to a property they feel will make your stay exceptional. You will find yourself better equipped for your getaway when you know exactly what activities and events are available to your family, the best restaurants for your dietary needs, and more.
3. Personalized Service
In addition to flexible pricing options, booking directly with a rental agency offers the convenience of one-on-one contact even before you make a booking commitment. Our reservation specialists are in the office 7 days per week to assist during every stage of the process - from an initial rental search and securing the perfect property to managing expectations during your vacation and at departure. We go even further by offering guests the option of holding and/or pre-reserving the same property for the same time frame the following year.
4. Onsite Property Management & Peace of Mind
There's nothing worse than arriving at your vacation rental to find something wrong and having to contact an owner or manager outside of the area. Owners who rent their privately owned properties are often located in another state and rely on local service providers and assistance for maintenance or housekeeping issues. If you arrive at an MRA property to find a maintenance, housekeeping, or tech issue (or if you experience any during your stay), our staff is here to work toward a resolution in the quickest way possible, even after standard business hours.
#BookDirect and save on your Oak Island experience...not just your accommodations.
Book Direct with Margaret Rudd & Associates
Booking your Oak Island vacation with MRA is simple! Instead of worrying with OTA booking sites, save yourself time, energy and money by booking direct with us. Choose from hundreds of vacation rentals in Oak Island (East and West Beach), Caswell Beach, and Southport vacation rentals—including beachfront, pet-friendly, and options with pools. Browse our listings online or give us a call at (800) 486-5441 to find your perfect stay.
