Is Your PMS Holding You Back on Airbnb?

Choosing a property management system (PMS) is supposed to streamline your short-term rental business, not create more headaches. But what happens when it feels like the PMS you’ve chosen is limiting your ability to fully optimize your Airbnb listings?

That’s exactly the issue our listener Leslie called in about on the Hosting Hotline.

She’s using HostAway and noticed she couldn’t run Airbnb promotions or assign her property to a specific category like “treehouse” or “OMG stay.” If you’ve ever had this happen with your PMS—whether it’s HostAway, Hostfully, or any other tool—you’re not alone.

Let’s break down what’s really going on and what to do about it.

Can You Run Airbnb Promotions with a PMS?

Yes! Most PMS systems—including HostAway, Hostfully, and others—allow you to run Airbnb promotions. But there’s a catch: you may need to activate them from within Airbnb itself.

Even if your listing is connected through an API, Airbnb typically allows you to override certain features like promotions, and it won’t interfere with your PMS’s calendar sync or messaging automation.

Pro tip:
When you want to run a last-minute deal or discount, log directly into Airbnb, select your listing, and use their Promotions tool. If you’re unsure how to do that or hit a roadblock, reach out to your PMS support or Airbnb support chat for guidance.

What About Airbnb’s Categories (Treehouse, OMG, Farm Stay)?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of Airbnb’s platform.

You can’t assign your own listing to categories like Treehouse, OMG, or Design. Airbnb does that for you using a combination of:

• Machine learning
• Listing title and description
• Captions on your photos
• Guest reviews

If you want to increase your chances of being featured in a category, make sure your listing language, photos, and branding clearly speak to that theme. For example, if you have a dome home or container house, highlight that in your title, description, and captions.

And yes, you can message Airbnb support and ask if they’ll consider reviewing your listing for inclusion—but there’s no guarantee.

Troubleshooting PMS Frustrations

Every PMS has its quirks, but it’s important to remember: your PMS is not working against you. These tools are built to help you scale and systemize your business. If you ever feel stuck, use these tips:

Carve out time: Don’t let tech tasks pile up. Block time to resolve questions and move forward faster.use smart locks aren’t perfect, and one lockout is all it takes to ruin a guest’s experience.

Attend office hours: Many PMS platforms like Hostfully and pricing tools like Pricelabs offer weekly open Zoom calls.

Use chat support: Don’t waste time spinning your wheels—ask for help!

Pick up the phone: Some platforms (like HostAway) offer live phone support.

Keep notes: If one support rep doesn’t give a clear answer, ask another. You’re allowed to double-check and dig deeper.

Have More Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your hosting questions to the Hosting Hotline and tune in to the podcast for answers. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more tips: @thanksforvisiting_.

Download a transcript of this episode.

Resources:

• Proper Insurance | Book your FREE risk assessment today!
• Are you a brand-new host? | Get the Hosting Handbook today!
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | How to Create a Direct Booking Site for Your Airbnb Business
• Hostfully | Get $500 off with code TFV500
• Pricelabs | Sign up for your free 30-day trial today!