An extra is not an ad: it's a useful service at the right moment

When a guest perceives an extra as "an ad", they ignore it. When they perceive it as a "useful service", they book it. The difference isn't the price, isn't the image: it's how you put it in front of them.

Tone does almost everything

An extra isn't announced, it's offered. The difference between "Special offer breakfast +€8" and "If you'd like, we can bring breakfast to your room by 9 AM — let us know by tonight" is huge. The first is a sale, the second is someone taking care of you.

Realistic promise, not maximal

Better to promise less and deliver well. If breakfast includes fruit, bread and coffee, say so. Don't write "gourmet breakfast with premium products" if it's a curated basket. Guests reward honesty, not hyperbole — and a disappointed review weighs more than one extra sale.

Few details, the ones that matter

• What's included, in two lines.
• When it's delivered (time, moment of the stay).
• By when it must be booked.
• Clear price, no asterisks.

Anything else is noise. If you need five paragraphs to explain an extra, it's probably too complex or not useful enough.

The right moment, not just the right place

Showing extras on the homepage at first access is the weakest move: the guest hasn't even understood where they are yet. Showing them once they have context — the night before check-in, the morning after arrival, next to a related activity — works better. Same offer, different moment, different outcome.

Practical example

Airport transfer: if it shows up on the welcome screen once the stay has already started, it's pointless. If it shows up in the booking confirmation with "If you'd rather not think about it, we'll handle the transfer for you: fixed price, we'll be waiting at arrivals", it becomes the first extra you'll sell.

Want to see how extras look inside a well-made guide? Try the StayFast demo or create your Free version to set them up your way.