Early check-in is an option that allows vacation rental guests to arrive and access the property before the standard check-in time, typically for an additional fee. It is one of the most popular and straightforward upsells in the vacation rental industry, as many guests arriving from early flights or long drives value the ability to settle in sooner. Property managers can offer early check-in on a request basis depending on the cleaning schedule and prior guest checkout, or guarantee it for a set fee. Pricing typically ranges from a flat fee to a percentage of the nightly rate. Coordinating early check-in requires clear communication with housekeeping teams to ensure the property is ready ahead of schedule. Automated upsell features in platforms like Hostaway allow managers to offer early check-in during the pre-arrival messaging sequence.
Why this matters for property managers
Offered as a paid option, it turns hours the property would sit idle into extra revenue and gives arriving guests a better first impression, which often shows up in reviews. The catch is timing: it only works when the turnover team can guarantee the space is fully cleaned and ready, so overpromising it risks a poor arrival or a rushed clean. Managed well, it is a low-cost upsell; managed badly, it undermines the very experience it was meant to enhance.
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