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Genius program-good opportunity to get a lot of reservations or not?

Hello,

We are renting apartment for second season. I heard from the other guests that Genius program is perfect opportunity to get a lot of reservations. But I don't have enough experience and knowledge about this opportunity. I know that in Genius program you have to offer 10% off on reservation price. Does anyone know what are the good or best sides in that type of business? Any idea or advice will be helpful.

Thanks a lot with the help, advices and suugestions.

Robert


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pibomarco 5 years ago

It sure is a good feature (to acumulate more bookings specially in low season, and to be more competitve comparing to other properties who doesn't use this program).
Good side is also that you can disable this program for up to one month so you don't have to offer 10% discount in July/August when the demand is high.
Good side is that Genious guest are solid guests.. meaning less cancelations and "0" no shows.

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Robert 5 years ago

Hi Pibomarco,

Thanks, but many thanks for your comment! You say to me a lot of interesting facts which is also very useful! I heard a lot about Genius guests. I think for us the most important fact is that they spent more than ordinary guests and that they have less cancellations and, most important, 0 or no shows.

Thanks a lot for comment which is very useful and helpful!

Best regards,

Robert

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fluff 5 years ago

On the whole it is beneficial and you automatically receive a summary that lets you know how much extra trade you've attracted because of it and how much money you've discounted to achieve it.

Therefore, at a glance, you can see whether the programme is working in your favour or not.

Be sure to remember that any promotion you create will have the Genius discount applied as well.

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AG Lodging 5 years ago

In our experience, Genius program did not increase much QUANTITY of guests, but did QUALITY.

We noticed that genius guests behave differently. They usually introduce themselves in few words, inform us about the arrival time, stay longer, and most important - rarely cancel! I don't know what criteria guests need to fulfill to achieve (and retain) genius status, but I suppose that number of cancellations/noshows is taking into consideration.

On the other side, Preferred partner program increase number of bookings (both genius and ordinary), because it has impact on rank and visibility.

In any case, we found Genius program useful. It's worth giving discount since you get guests who most probably will stay.

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Francescasmith2 5 years ago

I had tried the Genius programme for most of this year and noticed they tended to be the ones that cancelled. I also noticed that they often didn't realise they were Genius members and were entitled to a 10% discount, so I was losing valuable income unncessarily. So I have pulled out of the programme, certainly for the rest of the high season and will review it again from October. Since pulling out of the Genius programme I have continued to receive bookings and at my higher, normal rate. Phew!

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hi all,

I'm a little late to the party.

What if you are part of the Preferred Partner programme and now they are offering Genius as well? Is it worth it? I think I will go for it considering you can disable it (very useful info thanks), but I want to know how many of you have both activated and think it's amazing?

Thanks!

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pibomarco 5 years ago

I think once you pull out of genious, you can't rejoin that quickly... up to 6 - 12 months to be able to join genious again? Don't remember exactly.
I would probably love to join preffered programme, but I am not eligable, because I don't acumulate enough bookings over BC. I get many direct bookings, AirBnB etc..
All of you asking for preffered programe, is your sales performance 70%+?
If I would be in preffered program I would defenitly increase my rates lil' bit. Regarding the genious programme no complaints here. I will keep using it. :)

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

I just joined the preffered programme so I am waiting to see how it will go.

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Palacemarble 5 years ago

Genius Program is a great program.= It really help us to increase our business and quality clientele. But other opportunity we can't afford them we already have so low price and if we provide more discount we will be finish. But genius is good truly good. Thanks

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Info 5 years ago

We joined the preferred program to be more visible, at top of the page and you pay more commission to BC and it's worth that contribution. It is ideal when your property and services are of very good quality and this really helps to influence clients' choice. This is not a definite status and you have to maintain a level to remain in this program. Booking.Com has an assessment period and they can remove you from there if you do not perform (one of the criteria is the revenue generated and therefore the amount of their commission).

The genius program is more an incentive for the client. You grant 10% discount on your best seller unit type and clients benefit of some advantages under conditions. You may extend this to your other rates or unit type. They are targeted by the secret deals that you can set as promotion.

Both plans have contributed to increase activity and 'Genius' status is not necessarily the most reliable type of client you will have. They also make fake reservations without guarantee (invalid credit card), no-shows, and multiple units reserved for same period just for fun as they know they have nothing to pay and payment cannot be processed with the information or status of credit card provided. Genius is not that 'clean' and they are allowed to keep that status no matter what they do on Booking.Com. The way this status is awarded is opaque. The facilities offered by BC to prospective visitors consequently increase activity but also higher cancellation rate, fake reservations and no-shows without compensation.

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pibomarco 5 years ago

1. Payments by Booking.com
2. Online payments
3. Set your cancelation policy accordingly

And you're safe.

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Le Balcon des Jasses 5 years ago

Hi, Im not agree, Im using Izettle to do all payment, its cheap, work very well, and my customer love it, easy, and great.....and fast.

Hi everybody our there in the hot summer

Lucy

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Maximilian 5 years ago

Going great for us. We have around 60% of Booking reservations from Genius guests and are in the top 20 best-selling hotels in our city.

But be careful in regards to protecting your direct rates. Genius discounts will accumulate with ALL promotions and will affect ALL rate plans that you have or create. The genius discount will apply at minimum to your lowest room type.

If you want to be "fair" to some other partners, carefully calculate that if you for example give Expedia 10% additional Members discount on to a 20% promotion, the Members promotion will be 30%. Therefore to create an equal Members Promotion on Expedia you would set the discount for the Members Promotion to 28% and the Public Promotion to 20%, as the Genius price would be €100 - 20% promotion - 10% genius = €72. Easy mistake is to give Expedia a €70 promotional sell rate by clicking the standard options ;).

If you already offer a 10% direct reservation bonus or something similar, and you want to increase your volume of Booking reservations, it's a very good possibility when combined with lifting your BAR rates a little in my opinion... but there's basically no going back after you go Genius... and your competitors may follow you!

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Le Balcon des Jasses 5 years ago

Joey, I agree, we are taking Genius, with 10% discount, but its less than 30%, we most get full price...most of my visitor are retired people who like relax, good Wine, good fod and be spoiled..

But I have to say, We have many single traveler for business, and this people are almost always Genius visitor,

I do not give any other discount, but I give quality for money...

Have a nice day

Lucy

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pibomarco 5 years ago

Ofcourse ANYONE can apply, but I beleive one who makes a booking once per year or two years will not be eligable for genious status? As in a shoping store, you have to spend some amount of money per year to be eligable for a free shipping for the whole year.
Defenitly genious bookers will bring more to business during the off season. They will mostly choose an accomodation where they get 10% discount. In off season competition is bigger.
A lot of genious bookers are also from saudi, israel.. because they travel a lot. I think there is no surprise if a genious booker leaves also a negative review or will be sloppy etc.. We don't go case by case but statisticly overall they are more solid guests comparing to those who aren't. And I wasn't talking about them not writing a negative review but i wrote that is less likely for them to cancel the booking or not showing up.
I offered 10% to genious bookers but also increased my rates a little bit at the same time.

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Torrdarach 5 years ago

Hi All,

As a small business I find it difficult to get my head around the Genius Program being beneficial.

Offering 10% off your room rate to the guest.

Paying BDC commission of a minimum 15%

Thats 25% of my room price gone before I even start deducting the normal running costs.

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Le Balcon des Jasses 5 years ago

Hi Torrdarach

I need to say to you, the 15% is the price you pay in Cost to run the Bed and Breakfast, I feel Booking.com do a exceptional job, friendly, helpful and a very concept, website is good, very proffecionel for our customer and for the owner of the Bed and Breakfast, ........forget the 15%.

After you can work with the Special offer depend to the high season, your mood and what you want.

But I have to say, giving a discount do not always give more profit, get a high rating, sell top quality, and spoil your visitor, this make a good businiss and lots of fun for you.

Good luck

Lucy

Le Balcon des Jasses,; FRANCE

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pibomarco 5 years ago

Since I am on Booking.com for 10 years, I see the benefits of genious. I don't use other promotions (Opportunities) though, because I'm too lazy for that. I am leaning towards getting more direct bookings from my website where I offer at least 10 - 15% lower rates and better conditions (flexible cancelation policy, check-out 11.00am instead 10.30am, city tax included ect..).
Genious bookers will most likely never book directly or via other online travel agency. They also have to maintain their G status I beleive.

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Le Balcon des Jasses 5 years ago

Discount or quality or a "little" extra.......

Im NOT selling Discount.

But I give some extra ass Hotel do not offer.

When visitor check out always two bottle of mineral water.

Always a welcome drink, and a little talk.

Always offer Coffé to peoples Thermos...

My husband clean peoples windscreen on there car...

Washing machine, and iron free...

Make it to a Home away from Home.....

Give info about your area, its free from Tourist office or Hotel d' Ville..

It cost almost nothing, but it make a huge difference.....and you get a good mark, and............u do not need to give Discount to get visitor...

Now I run Le Balcon des Jasses in 17 years, and Im fully booked almost every day, and I love it..

But Im looking forward to November, closed one month..

Take good care, enjoy your kind Visitor.

Lucy

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pibomarco 5 years ago

Near the reception we have a "bowl" of cookies with a sign "welcome cookie".
In the rooms we have a welcome drink - two small bottles (mineral water with and without gas).
At the check-out we give them small milka chocolate (nice boost up and they leave with a big smile).
I have a selfservice bar based on trust (guest takes the drink from the fridge/bar, makes a coffe, tea.. writes it on the list and I put it on the invoice on the time of check-out.) and functions great.
I give guest space and a feel like at home kind of thing.. I am avoiding to socialize with guests. so I have to compesate somehow hehe.

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Jailhouse 5 years ago

I am also very confused about the Genius concept - why are we as a vendor/service provider expected to provide a discounted rate to a loyal customer of Booking.com? makes absolutely no sense to me! If it was one of my return customers, I would say Hell Yeah! Granted, Booking has increased my occupancy level exponentially,

I have been in business for 11 years and for the past 8 have had no problem filling my rooms. Whether it is increased visibility through BDC or Google, if anyone should google B & B in my area, I am at the top of the list. I don't need to offer a 10% discount to Bookings loyal customers! I recognize that it is part of the cost of doing business, but if BDC wants to recognize the Genius, then they should be giving US a break, not vicey-versy! Sure sure I can increase my prices to cover the increased cost, but inevitably, I pay a higher commission to BDC and higher GST to the gov't Near as I can see it is a lose lose. The only one gaining anything is Booking!
Sorry I will just stay with the system I have, and offer in house discounts if I feel generous.

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pibomarco 5 years ago

Where does it says that genious is for everyone? Some hosts can definitely gain more with this program. You have two options, you either join or you don't. Case closed.

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fluff 5 years ago

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Exactly this, suck it and see. If it does not work to your benefit you can switch it off again.

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Ungvarig 5 years ago

I don’t want to debate about that the genius program is useful or not, but.... Yesterday morning I quit from the program and from that moment my accommodation is gone from the search results list. I have been fighting with Booking.com since yesterday to do something. My apartment’s review score is almost the highest (9,6) at the destination. I don’t know what has happened maybe is it a kind of punishment for I quit.... The whole Booking platform is a joke....

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pibomarco 5 years ago

Joey, from my point of view it really doesn't matter though.. This blogger is a lonewolf. I do beleive to some extent that this is true. It's an aim to get more potential bookers "forcing" them to use their services in future not switching to a competitive OTA. I still do beleive some conditions must be met once you are in genious program.
Expedia and other OTA's aint no better. They all try to keep their users with offers/discounts for their "trusted" bookers. At least Booking.com gives you an option. At Expedia I was forced to offer 10% for their trusted guests.. I hate when I'm forced into something. I raised my all expedia rates for 10%. I don't really care about Expedia because they don't acumulate that many bookings comparing to BC or AirBNB.

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Thanks Joey !

I'm pushing to get Genius now. I just don't see why it could be a Bad option you know.

I still need to read the rest of this thread.

Keep well all!

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pibomarco 5 years ago

I am aware how preffered partner program works. :)

My rates on AirBnB are slightly lower as on BDC (with additional - 12%) because they take only 3% from the host, but they charge the guest additional 12 - 15% for their services.

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pibomarco 5 years ago

I'm new at partner forum. Seems like this feature is not available.

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Marina 5 years ago

I believe that the Genius has changed a lot the last month. Almost all the guests are now genius as you need only 2 bookings in order to receive 10% discount.

I think i will not opt in. i prefer to add my own discounts only for the period that my property needs boost.

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Juancsandoval 5 years ago

Genius program has worked for us, when is low season is really a help, when is hign season and you forget to disable is a pain because you want to get your profit as it should be.Booking is more proactive than the other apps., offer more discounts.The discounts at least maintain the flow of guests to your hotel to cover your expenses.

Mauricio Babilonia,Santa Marta,Colombia