https://www.ruebarue.com/assets/homepage3.js

1import{o as n,f as a,g as t,h as i,i as e,j as l}from"./homepage.js";const o="/images/blog/48-hour-pre-arrival-playbook.jpg";const s={id:"blog"},r=e("div",{class:"page"},[e("h1",null,"The 48-Hour Pre-Arrival Playbook"),e("p",null,[l(" The 48 hours before check-in is when most guest questions pile up—access codes, Wi-Fi, parking, “how do I find the door,” and “can we arrive early?”. This guide gives vacation rental managers a proven, lightweight system: a "),e("strong",null,"7-point T-48h checklist"),l(" and "),e("strong",null,"three timed messages"),l(" that cut repetitive questions, prevent day-of friction, and unlock upsell revenue. ")]),e("div",{class:"hero"},[e("img",{src:o,alt:"48-hour pre-arrival checklist and message templates for vacation rentals",width:"1600",height:"900",loading:"lazy",decoding:"async",fetchpriority:"low"})]),e("nav",{class:"toc"},[e("strong",null,"On this page:"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,[e("a",{href:"#why-48h"},"Why the 48-hour window matters")]),e("li",null,[e("a",{href:"#checks"},"7 must-do checks at T-48h")]),e("li",null,[e("a",{href:"#sequence"},"The 3-message sequence")]),e("li",null,[e("a",{href:"#metrics"},"Metrics to watch")]),e("li",null,[e("a",{href:"#final"},"Final thoughts")])])]),e("h2",{id:"why-48h"},"Why the 48-Hour Window Matters"),e("p",null," Guests are finalizing travel plans and expectations right before arrival. Clear, proactive communication in this window: "),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Prevents lockouts and access confusion"),e("li",null,"Reduces back-and-forth on parking, Wi-Fi, and house rules"),e("li",null,[l("Surfaces helpful local info (e.g., "),e("em",null,"nearest grocery stores"),l(") at the exact moment it’s needed")]),e("li",null,[l("Creates space for "),e("strong",null,"upsells"),l(" like early check-in, late checkout, or Guest Extras")])]),e("h2",{id:"checks",class:"uk-margin-top"},"7 Must-Do Checks at T-48h"),e("ol",null,[e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Compliance & Payment"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Rental agreement signed; balance paid; deposit/hold set"),e("li",null,"Optional: ID/age, pet acknowledgment, occupancy confirmation")])]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Property Readiness"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Cleaning confirmed (linens, consumables); trash cleared"),e("li",null,"Pre-arrival inspection (lights, blinds, thermostat, batteries/bulbs/alarms)"),e("li",null,"Maintenance clears: no open work orders blocking check-in"),e("li",null,"Amenities working: TV/streaming, hot tub/pool, BBQ gas")])]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Guest Access"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Precise address + map pin + where to park + how to find the door"),e("li",null,"Door code/lockbox, parking/permit, unit/do

1or location, elevator code"),e("li",null,"Wi-Fi, router location, quick reset steps"),e("li",null,"Backup plan: 24/7 lockout contact + alternate entry")])]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Guest Must-Knows"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Check-in time, quiet hours, trash days, relevant weather/road alerts"),e("li",null,[l("Area Guide highlights: "),e("em",null,"nearest grocery stores"),l(", pharmacies, gas, urgent care, top eats")]),e("li",null,"Rules (short version) with link to full details")])]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Smart Devices & Connectivity"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Lock status: code provisioned to dates/guest; battery OK; sensor aligned"),e("li",null,"Thermostat pre-conditioned to a comfortable setting"),e("li",null,"Wi-Fi online (quick spot-check); optional noise/door sensors configured")])]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Special Requests & Notes"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Early check-in/late checkout availability or quick upsell offer"),e("li",null,"Guest notes (occasion, accessibility needs, allergies) handled"),e("li",null,"Welcome touches: simple card/snack; Area Guide link pinned")])]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Team Coordination & Fail-safes"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Who’s on point day-of + escalation path"),e("li",null,"Contingencies: power/internet outage playbook; backup cleaner/handyman"),e("li",null,"Timestamped photos after staging (useful for disputes)")])])]),e("h2",{id:"sequence"},"The 3-Message Sequence"),e("h3",null,"Message #1 — Right after booking"),e("p",null,[l(" Eliminate basics with one link. Send your branded "),e("a",{href:"https://www.ruebarue.com/digital-guestbooks",target:"_blank"},"Digital Guestbook"),l(" covering Wi-Fi, parking, access, and house rules. Add “Save to phone.” "),e("strong",null,"Include:"),l(" Guestbook link, support number, quick “how to find the door” directions. ")]),e("p",null,[e("strong",null,"Goal:"),l(" Reduce generic questions early.")]),e("div",{class:"message-sample"},[e("p",null,"Hi [GuestFirst],"),e("p",null,"We’re excited to host you at [PropertyName] on [CheckInDate] after [CheckInTime]."),e("p",null,"We will send you the check-in instructions after you sign the contract and the payment is made in full."),e("p",null,"Thank you!"),e("p",null,"Vacation Rental Company")]),e("h3",null,"Message #2 — T-48h (the essentials & arrival path)"),e("p",null," Send the details guests actually use on arrival: address, door code, Wi-Fi, driving/parking tips, and a few area picks (nearest grocery, pharmacy, gas). If a lock is tricky, share a one-line tip or a 20-second video. "),e("p",null,[e("strong",null,"Goal:"),l(" Prevent day-of friction.")]),e("h4",null,"Sample SMS Message — T-48h"),e("div",{class:"message-sample"},[e("p",null,"Hi [GuestFirst],"),e("p",null,"we’re excited to host you at [PropertyName] on [CheckInDate] after [CheckInTime]."),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Addresss: [Address]"),e("li",null,"Door code: [DoorCode] (active [CodeStart]–[CodeEnd])"),e("li",null,"Parking: [ParkingInfo]   Map pin: [MapLink]"),e("li",null,"Wi-Fi: [WifiNetwork] / [WifiPassword]"),e("li",null,"Help 24/7: [Text] or [AfterHoursPhone]")]),e("p",null,"Thank you!"),e("p",null,"Vacation Rental Company")]),e("h3",null,"Message #3 — T-30h (monetize + delight)"),e("p",null,[l(" Offer "),e("strong",null,"early check-in / late checkout"),l(" if available and highlight curated "),e("a",{href:"/extras",target:"_blank"},"Guest Extras"),l(" (e.g., mid-stay clean, celebration setup, firewood bundle). ")]),e("p",null,[e("strong",null,"Goal:"),l(" Drive incremental revenue and set great expectations.")]),e("h4",null,"Message #3 — T-30h (SMS)"),e("div",{class:"message-sample"},[e("p",null,"Hi [GuestFirst],"),e("p",null,"Want a smoother arrival? Early check-in from [Time] for $[Price]. Prefer a slower start? Late checkout to [Time] for $[Price]."),e("p",null,"Thank you!"),e("p",null,"Vacation Rental Company")]),e("h2",{id:"metrics"},"Metrics to Watch"),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"% questions answered pre-arrival:"),l(" aim for 90%+")]),e("li",null,[e("strong",null,"Guest rating average:"),l(" hold steady at 4.6–4.9★")])]),e("h2",{id:"final"},"Final Thoughts"),e("p",null," Consistent pre-arrival communication turns hectic arrivals into calm, five-star check-ins. Pair the 3-message flow with the 7-point T-48h checklist and you’ll reduce support load while opening the door to incremental revenue. "),e("p",{class:"blog-about-ruebarue"},[l(" Ready to plug this into your operation? "),e("a",{href:"/schedule-a-demo"},"Schedule a 30-minute demo"),l(" and we’ll map the playbook to your PMS, locks, and messaging. ")])],-1),p={__name:"48-hour-pre-arrival-playbook",setup(u){return(c,h)=>(n(),a("div",s,[r,t(i)]))}};export{p as default};