Your Vacation Rental Is Costing You More Than You Think

A pricier listing can still be the better deal.

Goldreyer makes a distinction between price and value. “The cheapest option is simply the one with the lowest price,” he says. “Value is different; it’s a measure of what you pay compared to what you receive.”

Say you book a rental with a full kitchen, a washing machine, and free parking. That might cost more upfront than a listing with a lower nightly rate, but it can save you money over the course of a trip if it means eating out less, skipping the laundromat, and avoiding parking fees.

“Travelers also underestimate the value of booking accommodations that fit the way they travel,” Goldreyer adds. So, if you’re the type of traveler to eat out for every meal regardless of the kitchen in your rental, factor that into your booking math, too.

Don’t assume the first place you look is the best place to book.

It’s common for rental properties to appear on multiple booking platforms, such as Airbnb and Booking.com. Goldreyer adds direct-booking marketplaces and property managers’ sites to that list.

“The exact same professionally managed vacation rental may be available through a direct-booking marketplace, or directly from the property manager, at a lower total cost, because there are fewer intermediary fees,” Goldreyer says, advising that “it’s always worth comparing before booking.”

As one data point, Goldreyer claims that travelers who book through Savvy have saved more than $500 per stay on average since the platform launched in February 2025. He also acknowledges that several factors could influence your potential savings, such as when you’re traveling and where you’re going.

Make sure you’re comparing real totals.

“Always compare the total price instead of stopping at the advertised nightly rate,” Goldreyer says. That means adding up fees, taxes, and any add-ons like parking or cleaning, and comparing that total across your options, whether that’s two listings on the same platform or the same listing on multiple platforms.

While platforms including Airbnb and Vrbo now show fees-included totals upfront, per a federal rule that took effect in May 2025, those totals don’t always include taxes and can still miss 20 to 40 percent in add-ons, Goldreyer says, depending on the destination and property.

There’s no trick to timing your bookings…

There are tons of supposed hacks out there for snagging deals when booking travel, like booking on a certain day of the week or searching in an incognito window. According to Goldreyer, they’re all myths.

“There’s no magic day of the week that consistently unlocks the best price,” he says. What actually matters is your timing relative to demand. Flexibility helps, too. “Shifting your trip by even a day or two can sometimes unlock significantly better pricing,” he says.

…so book early for more options.

Waiting too long to book can create a second problem: lack of options. This is especially true if you’re traveling to a popular destination during peak season.

“Booking earlier usually gives travelers both better pricing and better selection,” Goldreyer says. If you wait around for a discount that may or may not ever come, you could end up not only paying more but also picking from whatever’s left.

Vet your host.

Skimming reviews is one way to decide if a rental is likely to be as advertised, but Goldreyer recommends asking questions before you commit to a booking.

There are two reasons: First, a host or property manager who knows the area can provide helpful tips, like where to find parking or where to eat in the neighborhood, which can save you money in the long run. Early communications can also help you avoid scammy listings.

“Transparency is usually a good indicator of trustworthiness,” he says, adding that red flags include “very little information, limited ways to contact the operator, vague cancellation policies, or ask[ing] you to bypass normal payment methods.”

Whether you’re booking directly or through a platform, look for an established host with consistent details across their listing or website and reviews on more than one platform.