The summer is fast approaching, which means that many hotel teams will be faced with long days, busy check-in desks and full lobby. A few small steps now will help you avoid the chaos later.
It’s not about major renovations. This three-step plan helps reduce strain, elevate the guest experience, and boost revenue—without adding to the workload.
Step 01: Set up Systems to Ease the load
Even the best guest service teams are stretched during peak seasons. When things move fast, upsell moments slip—especially if they depend on memory or clunky systems. Automatically generated offers are triggered by guest profiles, and real-time availability to reach the right guests at the right moment. No digging, no guessing. The system will handle delivery, so your staff can focus on other areas.
Check-in early. If the offer is sent to the guest via email at least two days in advance, the front desk does not have to deal with it during the rush. It’s an easier start for everyone and one less thing to do.
Only one in five guests remember receiving an upgrade email, even though 51% say it’s their preferred way to hear about offers (Plusgrade Hospitality & Rail Study, 2024). The gap can be filled by SMS, check-in prompts and app notifications. It’s about fewer channels. You need to focus on the channels that are working.
The staff will miss upsell opportunities and the guests’ confidence is damaged when they don’t understand what is available and likely to be wanted. Inventory mismanagement can lead to a loss of conversion and customer dissatisfaction.UniFocus, 2024). The more you can handle ahead of time, the better your team is able to concentrate on the guests in front.
Step 02: Use Timing to Your Advantage
Even experienced teams know that timing is crucial. It’s not just about revenue when you have the right offer at the perfect time. It makes the customer feel like they are part of their experience. Pre-set moments will carry you through the busy times.
Certain offers convert better at specific points during the journey. Prior to arrival, while plans are still being made, dining credits and spa treatments tend to convert better. Floor or layout upgrades work better at check-in, when guests are seeing their room for the first time (Plusgrade Hospitality & Rail Study, 2024).
A clear example is late checkouts. Instead of scrambling to offer them during busy Sunday departures, send the offer a week ahead by email—when guests are checking their inbox and your team has time to plan.
Automating these moments ensures consistency. The team is focused on the entire stay.
Step 3: Personalize the most important areas
Not all guests need a customized offer. Loyalty members expect personalized offers. Most of them will want to personalize their stay.
Loyalty members book early, check emails and opt in to offers when it feels right. Eighty-three per cent have bought ancillary items before. Nearly 70% of respondents would upgrade their stay using points (Plusgrade Global Segmentation Study 2024). Interest is high. Just give them the chance to act.
It makes sense to upgrade a guest who has previously booked a deluxe suite and spa service to a room with a better view. The offers are not extras, but anticipating the guest’s needs. They reinforce loyalty by delivering them automatically before their arrival.
Personalized messages at the right time can have a real impact, especially if they are targeted to guests who are most likely respond.
You can easily win peak season
Summer doesn’t have to be a flurry of activity. With the right setup, hotel teams can ease the pressure, improve the guest experience, and unlock new revenue—all without adding to the chaos.
When you automate your team’s work, plan the timing in advance and personalize where it is most effective, offers become a part of a stay. Not an add-on.
Simple. Operations run more smoothly, guest reviews get stronger, and revenue grows—with less stress for everyone.
Plusgrade is a hotel preparation service that helps prepare hotels for the peak season. plusgrade.com.
What Plusgrade?
Plusgrade’s portfolio of ancillary revenue-generating solutions is the driving force behind the global travel industry. Plusgrade is trusted by over 200 companies in the travel industry, including airlines, hotels, cruise lines, passenger rails, financial services, and hospitality. Plusgrade creates new revenue streams for these businesses through its incredible customer experience. Plusgrade is the leading ancillary revenue platform, generating billions in revenue for its partners and creating enhanced travel experiences to millions of passengers. Plusgrade was founded by Montreal-based founders in 2009. They have offices in many countries. Visit for more information. Plusgrade.com.
