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7 May 2018
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Travel Tips

If you’re considering booking a home or condo on the Alabama Gulf Coast, there are many options available to you. Do you start with a search on Airbnb or VRBO? Do you ask friends for recommended properties? Or do you look for a local rental company? There are many benefits to finding a trusted local vacation rental company and booking directly with them. We put together some of the most important things you should know about booking direct.

Save Money

When you book with an online travel agency (like Airbnb or VRBO), you are often charged additional “guest” fees at checkout. These extra charges can end up costing you up to 15% more than you’d pay through the rental company — for the exact same property! When you skip the middleman, you pay less — and we make sure you’re getting the best rate possible.

Take Advantage of Specials

Vacation rental companies often offer special discounts, promo codes, free nights, and flash sales that aren’t available through third-party sites. For example, we offer a “gap” special — where you can receive a discount on reservations that fill in a few nights between existing reservations. Online travel agencies aren’t able to offer those types of deals. Not all online travel agencies charge commission to the rental company, but many do. We are able to give significant discounts on direct bookings because we can avoid these extra costs.

Receive Excellent Customer Service

We know our properties best. Online travel agencies can’t answer specific questions because they aren’t located in the area and have never been in the units. However, local reservationists like ours know each unit well and are on duty to discuss amenities and help you with your reservation. Further, local rental companies are easy to contact via phone or email. If anything goes wrong once you’re on vacation (let’s say you are locked out of the unit or need a plumber), we can easily dispatch a team member or maintenance person. Online travel agencies, on the other hand, have to contact the vacation rental company first, which makes the process much longer.

Leverage Local Knowledge

Need help planning your trip? The teams who work at local vacation rental companies actually live in the area and want to make your vacation a breeze. If fact, local companies are excited that you’re coming to the area! Contact our rental team to receive insider information on transportation, things to do, packing tips, the best restaurants, weather forecasts, and more.

Vacations are meant to be relaxing and easy. You shouldn’t be stressed about hidden fees and frustrating customer service. The best way to enjoy your vacation is to book your vacation rental direct. For over 25 years, Gulf Shores Rentals has managed vacation rental homes and condos in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. We are passionate about bringing people to our area and want you to have the best vacation experience possible. Many of our guests come back year after year, a testament to our commitment to excellence.

Contact us to start planning your Gulf Shores vacation, or search our available rental properties through our website.