12 kortingsstrategieën die de winst van verhuurbedrijven verhogen

Increasing your revenue through discounts can be powerful when done right. Below, you’ll learn twelve innovative pricing strategies, how each one helps grow your business, as well as discount pricing examples rental shops use to boost their bookings and improve utilisation.

Tiered discount pricing means adjusting your rates so that the longer a customer rents an item, the less they pay per day. Rather than charging a flat rate regardless of duration, this model rewards customers for booking more days. It’s one of the most effective ways to increase revenue without lowering your value.

Offering lower rates for longer rentals encourages customers to hold onto equipment for more days, increasing total spend and improving utilisation. A 2024 study of park-and-ride facilities near subway stations found that switching from flat to tiered pricing increased high-value user participation by 13% and boosted average revenue per vehicle by 385%, proving how pricing structure can directly impact customer behaviour and revenue.

How tiered pricing increases revenue:

• Encourages longer bookings and higher total transaction values.
• Improves equipment utilisation by keeping items in use rather than idle.
• Reduces staff workload and admin by lowering the number of short, high-touch. rentals, helping cut operational costs.

Let’s say you own a bike rental shop. You charge $50 per day for one or two days, but drop the rate to $40 per day for bookings of three days or more. Customers quickly see the value in extending their rental, spending more overall while getting better daily rates. Instead of earning $100 on a two-day hire, you bring in $120 for a three-day booking and only need to process one transaction instead of two.

Off-peak discount pricing is about adjusting your rates based on demand. Instead of charging the same amount year-round, you offer reduced rates during slower periods like weekdays, shoulder seasons, or quieter months. This strategy is especially valuable for any seasonal business, helping you maintain a steady flow of bookings and revenue even when demand dips. Most rental businesses lower rates by 10% to 20%, which is typically enough to encourage bookings without significantly affecting margins.

How seasonal discounts boost revenue:

• Fills gaps in your booking calendar.
• Increases equipment usage on days that would otherwise be quiet.
• Helps retain staff by keeping workloads more consistent throughout the week.

A kayak hire business applies a 20% discount to weekday rentals during the shoulder season. Customers who might skip a mid-week trip are now more likely to book thanks to the better rate. As a result of this seasonal discount pricing strategy, the business gets more mid-week bookings, keeps its staff busy, and earns revenue from inventory that would have sat idle.

Bundle discounts are a simple but powerful discount strategy. Instead of offering one item at a time, you group related items together and offer them at a reduced combined rate. This not only adds value for your customers but also encourages them to rent more than they originally planned.

Most rental businesses use this strategy to boost accessory hires or complementary gear. Customers appreciate the convenience, and you benefit from a higher total spend without needing aggressive upselling.

How bundle discount pricing increases revenue:

• Raises average order value by encouraging multi-item bookings.
• Increases add-on sales with minimal effort.
• Enhances customer satisfaction by simplifying their experience.

Say you run a paddleboard rental business that uses bundles to increase average booking value. A standard paddleboard rental is $20, while a dry bag and GoPro mount are $10 each. On their own, most customers would not rent the extra items. However, when offered as a bundle for $30, the perceived value makes it an easy yes. The customer feels like they are getting a deal, and your business earns $10 without having to do extra promotion.

Loyalty discounts reward your regular customers with exclusive deals that encourage them to keep coming back. These offers can be based on points, repeat bookings, or time-based milestones. When done well, they build stronger customer relationships and lead to more predictable income. One report found that 85% of consumers are more likely to stick with a brand if it offers a loyalty programme. This shows just how powerful discount pricing can be when used to drive long-term customer retention.

How loyalty discounts boost revenue:

• Drives repeat bookings by rewarding return visits.
• Increases customer lifetime value.
• Encourages customers to choose your shop over competitors.

Imagine you run an e-bike rental shop. You offer a free one-hour rental after every five bookings. A customer who might have rented once or twice is now motivated to return more often to unlock that free ride. Not only do you earn more from the five paid rentals, but you also build trust and habit. Over time, this kind of pricing promotion keeps customers coming back and reduces the pressure to attract new ones constantly.

Referral discounts reward both the customer who refers a friend and the new customer who makes a booking. It is a simple way to grow your customer base without pouring money into advertising. People trust recommendations from those they know, and when there is a reward involved, they are even more motivated to spread the word.

In fact, research shows that referred customers are up to 57% more likely to refer others themselves. Even a small reminder that they joined through a referral can increase their likelihood to refer again by 21%. With the right incentive, you can create a steady flow of new customers driven by trust and word of mouth.

How referral discounts increase revenue:

• Brings in new customers without advertising spend.
• Turns existing customers into promoters.
• Drives trust-based growth.

Let’s say you run a snorkel rental shop. You offer a $10 credit to both the existing customer and the friend they refer. One customer refers a friend, who books a $50 rental. Both receive a $10 credit to use on their next booking. The friend enjoys the experience and refers someone else, who also books. Without spending anything on advertising, you’ve brought in two new paying customers, secured future repeat visits, and sparked a chain of referrals.

Coupon code discounts are short-term offers shared through email, social media, or partner businesses like hotels and tourism websites. These time-sensitive codes offer customers a fixed or percentage-based discount tied to a specific event, season, or promotion. This promotional pricing strategy creates urgency and helps drive quick wins without permanently lowering your base rates.

The size of the discount can make a big difference. Onderzoek toont aan shoppers are nearly twice as likely to act on a 20% discount compared to full price. That figure climbs to 99% when the discount is 50%. This highlights how discount pricing can be used to influence booking behaviour and increase conversion rates.

How coupon codes help boost revenue:

• Drives quick spikes in bookings during targeted periods.
• Allows campaign tracking and better customer segmentation.
• Supports new product or location launches by boosting visibility.

Let’s say you run a scooter rental shop in a city with high weekend demand but slower weekdays. You create a promo code, “MIDWEEK20”, offering 20% off all Tuesday and Wednesday rentals. You share it through your Instagram and local tourism partners. Many customers who would have only booked for the weekend now add a weekday rental too, filling gaps in your schedule and bringing in more revenue without increasing your advertising costs.

First-time customer discounts are a powerful way to turn browsers into buyers, especially online where people often compare rental options side by side. A small one-time incentive helps remove the hesitation of booking with an unfamiliar business. Once you’ve secured that initial transaction, you can impress the customer, build trust, and bring them back for full-price rentals in the future. It’s a simple pricing promotion that opens the door to long-term revenue.

How first-time customer discounts can boost your revenue:

• Removes the barrier to first-time use.
• Encourages future full-price bookings.
• Grow your customer database for remarketing and upselling.

Imagine a construction company is searching for a reliable place to rent tools. They come across your commercial tool hire business and see a 15% discount for first-time customers. That small incentive convinces them to give you a try. After a smooth experience, they return for future hires at full price. A one-time promotional price helped you win a valuable new client and opened the door to repeat business.

Flash sales and last-minute deals use time-sensitive price promotions to create urgency and maximise revenue from availability that might otherwise go unused. Discount pricing in these cases works because customers feel they’re getting a good deal, and you avoid losing income on inventory that would have sat idle. It’s especially useful during shoulder seasons or on weekdays when demand tends to dip. While not something to rely on every day, occasional flash deals can help maintain cash flow and keep your equipment in use.

How flash sales and last-minute deals can increase your revenue:

• Monetises otherwise idle inventory.
• Drives short-term revenue boosts.
• Helps move slower or excess stock.

Let’s say you run a boat rental shop and notice a few vessels still free for the weekend. To avoid lost income, you post a flash deal on your website and social media, offering 30% off for next-day rentals. A family planning a last-minute outing sees the deal and books immediately. Instead of sitting idle, the boats are out on the water, bringing in revenue that would have otherwise been missed.

Early-bird discounts reward customers who book in advance. These pricing incentives help secure upfront cash flow and make it easier to plan stock and staffing ahead of time. They also reduce last-minute cancellations, as customers are less likely to back out of a booking they’ve actively planned for and received a lower price on. Many rental businesses also apply stricter cancellation terms to early-bird deals, which helps protect your revenue.

How early-bird discounts increase revenue:

• Secures upfront cash flow.
• Helps plan staffing and stock more accurately.
• Reduces last-minute cancellations or availability issues.

Imagine you run a snow gear shop gearing up for the winter season. You offer 20% off for bookings made at least 30 days in advance, with a stricter cancellation policy attached. A customer planning a ski trip sees the offer, locks in their rental, and feels committed to the booking. They are far less likely to cancel, since they want to keep the discount and avoid losing their money. This gives you more reliable bookings and helps reduce last-minute gaps in your schedule.

Manual discounts give your staff the flexibility to adjust prices in real time, helping you close high-value deals that might otherwise fall through. This type of discount pricing is often used for bulk orders, custom requests, or loyal customers who expect a bit of flexibility. When applied thoughtfully, it turns uncertain quotes into confirmed bookings, builds goodwill, and protects your margins. It is especially useful for businesses that handle commercial rentals or large-scale events where negotiation plays a key role.

How manual discounts can help boost revenue:

• Closes big bookings that may otherwise fall through.
• Builds goodwill and customer satisfaction.
• Supports negotiations for events or bulk orders.

Imagine you run a wedding hire business. A couple enquires about a full weekend package, including tents, tables, and décor. It’s a significant order, but the total cost is stretching their budget. Your team offers a one-time 15% discount to secure the booking. Without that flexibility, the couple might have gone elsewhere or scaled back. Instead, you win the full weekend rental and build a positive relationship that could lead to referrals and future bookings.

There are two ways to use birthday discounts to increase revenue. The first is offering returning customers a free or discounted rental during their birthday month. It feels personal and encourages repeat visits. These customers often bring friends along, which can lead to more group bookings. You can also collect valuable customer data by requiring them to join your mailing list to access the offer. In doing so, you grow your email database for future promotions while rewarding loyalty in a way that feels meaningful.

The second approach is to celebrate your shop’s birthday with a short-term discount. This creates urgency and gives new customers a reason to book. A well-timed promotion can bring in customers who’ve seen your ads before but haven’t made a booking yet.

How birthday discounts can boost revenue:

• Motivates past customers to return with a feel-good incentive.
• Leads to group bookings when birthday guests bring friends.
• Boosts visibility and traffic when tied to your business anniversary.

If you run an ATV rental shop, you could give returning customers a free one-hour ride during their birthday month. It feels like a gift, but it often turns into a bigger win for you. Many of those customers bring friends along, leading to multiple paid bookings from just one free offer.

Segment-based discounts allow you to tailor offers to specific groups, such as students, seniors, or tour operators. These groups often have limited budgets, so a small price break can make your rental service more appealing. It also shows that your business understands and values different types of customers. This kind of discount pricing can help you build loyalty, fill quiet periods, and grow your customer base by partnering with organisations or institutions.

How segment-based discounts increase your revenue:

• Attracts niche or cost-sensitive markets.
• Builds loyalty through inclusivity.
• Increases booking volume through partnerships.

If you run an e-bike rental shop, offering 15% off to students and weekday discounts to seniors can help you attract more bookings during slower times. Students might use the bikes for commuting or campus events, while seniors may enjoy relaxed weekday rides. These small incentives can bring in customers who might have skipped the rental otherwise, helping you keep your bikes in use and your calendar fuller throughout the week.

Discount pricing is a strategy where you offer lower rates to customers under specific conditions, such as booking early, renting during quiet periods, or joining a loyalty programme. It helps you increase bookings, attract new customers, and improve the overall profitability of your rental business.

Rental businesses use discount pricing to fill underused time slots, bring in first-time customers, reward repeat ones, or respond to market demand. It’s a flexible way to generate more revenue without constantly adjusting your core pricing model.

To calculate a discount, multiply your original price by the discount percentage, then subtract that amount from the original price. For example, if your usual rental price is $100 and you want to offer 15% off, calculate $100 × 0.15 = $15, then $100 − $15 = $85. Rental software can help automate this process for more complex setups and streamline your pricing promotions.

A discount pricing strategy is a structured plan that outlines when and why to reduce prices. It could involve early-bird bookings, off-peak deals, coupons, or loyalty rewards. The goal is to use lower prices to influence customer behaviour and meet your business targets.

De meeste verhuurbedrijven hanteren kortingsprijzen via hun verhuursoftware. Je kunt geautomatiseerde regels instellen voor flexibele tarieven, kortingsbonnen toepassen of aangepaste prijzen aanbieden voor langere periodes. Dit maakt het gemakkelijk om promoties te organiseren, resultaten te volgen en je te concentreren op de groei van je bedrijf in plaats van constant prijzen aan te passen.

Kortingsprijzen werken het beste wanneer ze consistent en eenvoudig te beheren zijn. Of je nu vroegboekkortingen, loyaliteitsbeloningen of tijdelijke acties aanbiedt, de juiste strategie kan je helpen meer boekingen te genereren en je apparatuur beter te benutten.

Met Hubtiger's verhuur software, is het eenvoudig om uw prijsstrategieën in de praktijk te brengen. U kunt uw regels eenmalig instellen en het systeem past ze automatisch toe, waardoor u tijd bespaart en uw bedrijf soepeler laat draaien. Wilt u ontdekken hoe kortingsprijzen in uw verhuurbedrijf kunnen werken? Neem contact met ons op.