Airbnb Military Discount: What Hosts Shouldn’t Ignore

Focusing on niche guest groups can help hosts get more bookings, collect 5-star reviews, and boost their Airbnb listing ranking. Offering an Airbnb military discount can turn into a great way to generate more revenue while also showing your respect and appreciation for those who serve.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about military discounts on Airbnb. We’ll also show you why you can’t ignore this opportunity as a successful STR host.

What Is an Airbnb Military Discount?

An Airbnb military discount refers to any lower daily rates offered specifically to active duty members and retired members of the military, as well as their families.

As part of an Airbnb pricing strategy, this discount serves a dual purpose:

1. Saying thank you to the men and women who defend the country by providing them with more affordable vacation options.
2. Gaining access to a new guest segment that stands out with discipline and loyalty. In other words, military staff make for excellent Airbnb guests.

But does Airbnb offer military discounts, or do you have to arrange them on your own?

Does Airbnb Have a Military Discount?

The Airbnb website does not have an official policy that offers discounts to military personnel and veterans. The company has other ways to show support for active duty and retired staff, such as helping them launch an Airbnb business. However, it doesn’t offer a standard, platform-wide discount for military guests booking a stay.

Still, listing on Airbnb comes with enough flexibility and options to allow hosts to incorporate a military discount as part of their marketing strategy.

Can Hosts Offer a Military Discount on Airbnb?

Airbnb hosts can offer discounts to military personnel on their bookings through the platform. While this requires a bit of extra work, it’s totally worth the effort.

Setting Up a Manual Discount for Military Guests

To build a military discount system on Airbnb, follow these steps:

1. Choose a discount rate. The discount can range anywhere from 10% to even 75%. It will depend on your expenses and the minimum price you are okay with accepting for each stay.
2. Include the discount in your Airbnb title. Specify the discount amount and eligibility criteria in your listing title. This will help attract demand from military personnel and boost your Airbnb occupancy rate.

💡Tip: Use STRings, PriceLabs’ free Airbnb title and description generator, to create an Airbnb SEO-optimized listing mentioning the discount that helps you rank high.

Use STRings: PriceLabs’ free Airbnb title and description generator to create descriptions optimized for SEO

1. Communicate with guests to provide the discount. Provide more details when a potential guest writes to ask about the military discount.
2. Ask for proof of service. Confirm eligibility by verifying the guest’s active duty or veteran status.
3. Send a special offer with the discounted price. Prepare a special offer from the Airbnb messaging system and send it to the guest to complete the booking process.

💡Tip: You can use a property management system (PMS) to automate this process to start welcoming military guests without additional manual work.

Pros and Cons of Offering a Military Discount as a Host

Pros and cons of offering an Airbnb military discount as a host

The main advantages of Airbnb military discounts for hosts include:

• Show goodwill and build community ties.
• Encourage bookings from a significant number of travelers.
• Promote positive Airbnb guest reviews and referrals within military networks.

Meanwhile, some disadvantages to take into account are:

• Potentially eat into your vacation rental revenue and ROI (unless planned strategically).
• Take time and effort to arrange each time (unless using a PMS).
• Bring no positive effect on bookings (if military staff ignore them).

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore the Military Guest Market as a Host

Military discounts are not very popular on Airbnb. That’s why you have a unique chance as a host to cater to this underserved guest segment and grow your short-term rental business.

Size and Spending Power of the Military and Veteran Traveling Community

There are 2.86 million active duty members and 18 million veterans in the US. So, military personnel bring a significant number of potential guests to the vacation rental market. This represents a diverse group of potential Airbnb guests that you can attract to your property over local competition by offering:

1. More beneficial pricing
2. A sign of appreciation for their sacrifice

Positive Reviews and Word of Mouth Within Military Networks

Military communities are tightly connected. Word of mouth can spread quickly through Facebook groups, veteran forums, and military spouse networks. So, providing a quality stay and a meaningful discount can turn into a long-term marketing strategy for your short-term rental.

How to Make Your Listing Veteran-Friendly

To maximize the benefits of the Airbnb military discount, you can optimize your property for military guest stays.

Try these adjustments:

How to make your Airbnb military guest-friendly

Accessibility Considerations for Veterans with Disabilities

About 30% of veterans and many active duty members have a service-related disability. So, it’s crucial to provide special accommodations, including:

• Step-free entryways for Airbnb wheelchair accessibility
• Ground-floor bedrooms
• Wide doors
• Clear walking paths
• Grab bars in the bathrooms

Make sure to highlight these accessibility features in your listing for better visibility.

Amenities and Features Military Guests Appreciate

Beyond accessibility, here are some Airbnb amenities that military guests tend to enjoy:

• Strong Wi-Fi for working remotely
• Blackout curtains for shift workers and those suffering from PTSD
• Washer and dryer for extended stays
• Flexible check-in and check-out times

Consider adding these small touches to your Airbnb property and listing them on the platform to enhance the impact of the military discount.

How to Account for Military Discounts in Your Pricing Strategy

Using a tool like PriceLabs allows you to dynamically adjust pricing while accounting for manual discounts. If you typically charge $200/night and offer a 10% military discount, PriceLabs can help you maintain – and even boost – your average revenue by adjusting base prices during peak season.

Bottom Line: Should You Provide an Airbnb Military Discount as a Host?

Offering a military discount to your Airbnb guests might not be required, but it’s definitely a smart move. It positions you as a thoughtful and inclusive host, opens your door to a large and loyal guest segment, and contributes positively to your reputation.

With PriceLabs, you can factor in occasional discounts without sacrificing long-term earnings. Even in the absence of an official Airbnb policy, make your STR the go-to option for military families without taking a hit to your bottom line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Airbnb Offer a Military Discount?

No, Airbnb doesn’t offer an official, website-wide military discount. Nevertheless, hosts can manually provide special rates to military personnel at their discretion.

How Do I Give a Veteran a Discount on Airbnb?

You should advertise the Airbnb military discount in your listing. To give the discount, send a special offer via the platform or refund a part of the booking amount.

What Amenities Do Military Guests Look for in an Airbnb?

The most popular amenities and features among guests from the military include Wi-Fi, blackout curtains, washers, dryers, early check-ins, and late check-outs.