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US: Last-minute holiday rental platform Whimstay has introduced same-day bookings on select vacation rental properties, allowing travellers to reserve accommodation up to four hours before check-in.
The launch aims to bring hotel-style spontaneity to the short-term rental sector, an area traditionally limited by longer booking windows and operational challenges.
The platform said participating hosts can opt into the feature to help fill vacant nights and attract last-minute travellers.
Whimstay said the new capability has been supported by enhanced fraud prevention tools that screen transactions in real time to reduce risks for both hosts and guests.
Ben Jamshahi, CEO of Whimstay, said same-day booking has long been standard in the hotel industry and that the company wanted to bring the same flexibility to vacation rentals.
Whimstay specialises in last-minute vacation rentals and discounted inventory for travellers booking close to their departure dates.
Highlights
- Whimstay has launched same-day bookings on participating vacation rentals
- Guests can now book properties up to four hours before check-in
- The feature is designed to capture last-minute travel demand
- Real-time fraud prevention tools have been added to support faster bookings
- The launch reflects the growing convergence between hotels and vacation rentals
