Peace of Mind Isn’t Free, But Travelers Are Happy to Pay for It.
Travelers already pay more for comfort and convenience. Hot tubs, pools, ocean views, pet-friendly stays, these are premiums they accept. Flexibility and protection are no different.
With Roam, managers can pass the cost directly to the traveler. It’s not an added expense, it’s a premium booking experience. Embedded protection boosts conversion, improves OTA visibility, and guarantees owner income. Flexible cancellation is not a risk to manage. It’s a feature to monetize. Guests get flexibility, owners get guaranteed income, and managers build a stronger, more profitable brand.
The New Reality: Travelers Are Hesitant, But They Aren’t Price Sensitive — They’re Risk Sensitive
Booking windows are stretching, and conversions are inconsistent. Travelers are cautious. They are not price sensitive, they are risk sensitive.
A family booking a $5,000 vacation isn’t asking for something cheaper. They are asking what happens if plans change, flights are canceled, or a family member gets sick. Flexibility offers certainty.
The Holiday Booking Dilemma: A Story Every Traveler Feels
Picture this: A family, planning ahead for their vacation, finds a $5,000 oceanfront home. Another home costs $5,500 but comes with full flexibility. Most families choose the extra $500. That small premium buys the peace of mind many travelers need to commit.
In 2025’s economy, travelers aren’t gambling with their vacations. They’re protecting them.
The OTA Reality: “Competitive” Rates Are Getting Buried
Travelers prioritize certainty. Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com promote flexible listings because they convert. 60 to 70 percent of bookings now go to flexible stays.
Rigid policies do not compete. Underpriced or inflexible listings vanish from search results. That means when you advertise a rigid policy or barebones rate, you’re not competing, you’re disappearing.
When your listing is filtered out, your rates are irrelevant.
Flexibility Is an Amenity — So Charge for It
Travelers already pay more for amenities that make their trip feel better — beachfront access, private pools, hot tubs, fire pits, pet-friendly stays. Flexible cancellation should be no different.
Flexible cancellation policies increase confidence and conversion, yet many managers give it away for free or fear offering it. With Roam, managers embed that value into rates. Flexibility is one of the most valuable features you can sell.
When you treat flexibility like an amenity, not a liability, you unlock new pricing power.
Confidence Is a Competitive Edge
Managers who build flexibility into their rates aren’t losing margin — they’re unlocking visibility, confidence, and loyalty.
✅ Your listings appear in more filtered searches on OTAs.
✅ Guests convert faster because they feel safe booking.
✅ Owners see steadier income, fewer gaps, and long-term calendars.
A traveler paying for peace of mind feels smart. A manager offering it feels secure. An owner getting paid no matter what feels grateful. Everyone wins, except the race-to-the-bottom crowd.
Final Thought
The market has shifted. Price doesn’t drive demand anymore — certainty does.
So stop worrying that raising rates will scare travelers away.
They’re not looking for the lowest price — they’re looking for the lowest risk.
And with Roam, flexibility becomes your most profitable amenity.