Revenue management, answered

How should I keep a record of what I changed each time I adjust prices?

Maintain a structured pricing log for every adjustment: date, property ID, market or trigger reason, previous rate, new rate, and who made the call. A shared spreadsheet with consistent column headers is enough to build a defensible audit trail.

By Jack Murphy, Head of Revenue Management at UpRev. Running pricing for US vacation rental managers since 2017. Last updated September 1, 2026.

What to Capture in Each Entry

Record the specific trigger behind each change, whether that was a competitor shift, a local event, low pickup pace, or a owner directive. Note the date range affected, not just the date you made the change. Include the prior rate so you can measure the delta and explain your rationale to an owner without reconstructing it from memory.

How to Structure the Log Across a Portfolio

Use one log per property or one master log with a property column, whichever your team will actually maintain consistently. Standardize the trigger categories so you can sort and review patterns across your whole book. At month end, a quick review of logged changes tells you whether your team is reacting to the same signals repeatedly, which points to a gap in your base strategy rather than a one-off adjustment.

Using the Log to Protect Client Relationships

When an owner questions a rate decision, a dated log with a written rationale turns a defensive conversation into a professional debrief. It also protects you if a team member changes a rate without proper approval, since the log makes accountability clear. Treat it as part of your service documentation, not just an internal ops habit.