Summer is around the corner, and for many hotel teams, that often means long days, crowded check-in desks, and full lobbies. With limited time to course-correct once the season starts, a few small moves now can help prevent the scramble later and set your team up for a smoother stretch.
This isn’t about big overhauls. This three-step plan helps reduce strain, elevate the guest experience, and boost revenue—without adding to the workload.
Step 01: Set Up Systems That Ease the Load
In peak season, even strong guest service teams get stretched. When things move fast, upsell moments slip—especially if they depend on memory or clunky systems. Offers triggered automatically through guest profiles and real-time availability reach the right guest at the right time. No digging, no guessing. The system handles delivery so staff can focus where it matters.
Take early check-in. If the guest gets the offer by email two days before arrival, the front desk doesn’t have to manage it mid-rush. That’s one less task for the team and a smoother start to the stay.
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). SMS, app notifications and check-in prompts can help fill the gap. It’s not about more channels. It’s about hitting the ones that work.
When staff don’t have visibility into both availability and what guests are likely to want, upsell opportunities get missed, and guests’ trust takes a hit. Inventory mismanagement is a top driver of lost conversion and guest dissatisfaction (UniFocus, 2024). The more your systems handle in advance, the more your team can focus on the guest in front of them.
Step 02: Make Timing Work for You
Seasoned teams already know that timing is everything. The right offer at the right moment doesn’t just drive revenue. It feels like part of the guest experience. When things get busy, the pre-set moments are the ones that carry the load.
Certain offers land better at specific points in the journey. Dining credits and spa services tend to convert best before arrival, when plans are still coming together. Floor or layout upgrades work better at check-in, when guests are seeing their room for the first time (Plusgrade Hospitality & Rail Study, 2024).
Late checkouts are a clear example. 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 keeps them consistent. The offer goes out, the guest feels looked after, and the team stays focused on the stay.
Step 03: Personalize Where It Matters Most
Not every guest needs a personalized offer. But loyalty members usually expect it. And they’re the most likely to engage to customize their stay.
Loyalty program members tend to book early, open emails and opt in when the offer feels right. Eighty-three percent have purchased ancillary products before. And, nearly 70% would use points to upgrade their stay (Plusgrade Global Travel Segmentation Study, 2024). The interest is there. They just need the opportunity to act.
If a frequent guest has booked a deluxe room and spa service in the past, it makes sense to offer early access to spa appointments and an upgrade with a preferred view. These offers then aren’t extra, they’re anticipating needs. And when they’re delivered automatically before arrival, they help reinforce loyalty without adding to the team’s plate.
A handful of well-timed, personalized messages can drive real results, especially when focused on the guests most likely to respond.
Make It Easy to Win Peak Season
Summer doesn’t need to be a scramble. 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 automation supports your team, when timing is mapped in advance, and when personalization is focused where it works best, offers feel like part of the stay. Not an add-on.
The result is simple. Operations run more smoothly, guest reviews get stronger, and revenue grows—with less stress for everyone.
Learn how Plusgrade helps hotels prepare for peak season at plusgrade.com.
About Plusgrade
Plusgrade powers the global travel industry with its portfolio of leading ancillary revenue solutions. Over 200 airline, hospitality, cruise, passenger rail, and financial services companies trust Plusgrade to create new, meaningful revenue streams through incredible customer experiences. As the ancillary revenue powerhouse, Plusgrade has generated billions of dollars in new revenue opportunities across its platform for its partners, while creating enhanced travel experiences for millions of their passengers and guests. Plusgrade was founded in 2009 with headquarters in Montreal and has offices around the world. For more information, visit Plusgrade.com.
