When it comes to converting more enquiries into paid bookings on Dream Rides, your pricing strategy plays a key role. Customers aren’t just booking a car — they’re booking a moment, a memory, and an experience. And the way you present your pricing can be the difference between someone hesitating… or locking in their dream ride.
On Dream Rides, there are two pricing models you can choose from:
- Standard Pricing, which offers a simple, fixed hourly rate
- Custom Pricing, which gives you flexibility to set different rates based on event type and location
Each model has its advantages, and in the sections below, we’ll break down how each one works — and how choosing the right option can help you attract more bookings with less hassle.
The Simple Option: set hourly rate & minimum booking time
Standard pricing is the most straightforward way to charge for your vehicle. You set one base hourly rate and a minimum booking time for all events within your nominated service area.
This option is ideal if:
- ✅You mostly operate in one location
- ✅You want to keep things simple
- ✅Your events don’t vary much in time or complexity
Customers browsing your ride will see this base rate on your vehicle listing, which helps them gauge affordability before they make an enquiry. It’s clear, simple, and easy to manage — especially if you’re just starting out.
But what if a customer wants to book your vehicle for a wedding 80km away, or a half-day photoshoot in another region? That’s where custom pricing becomes your best tool.
More Clarity, More Customization, More Bookings!
Custom pricing is one of the most effective ways to convert Dream Rides enquiries into confirmed, paid bookings. It lets you give potential customers transparent, event-specific pricing that reflects your time, effort, and travel — with no surprises.
Often, a customer has been watching your car for weeks. When they finally make an enquiry, it’s because they’re emotionally invested and ready to take action. Custom pricing gives them a clear, tailored quote upfront, so they feel confident moving forward.
How Custom Pricing Works
Dream Rides makes it easy to set custom pricing by allowing you to:
- ✅ Set different rates for different event types – weddings, school formals, photoshoots, promos, and special events can each have their own hourly rate.
- ✅ Use distance-based zones – charge different hourly rates depending on how far the booking is from your base location.
- ✅ Add flexible options for photoshoots – select Half Day or Full Day durations for creative bookings.
- ✅ Set minimum booking times – you stay in control of how your time is valued.
Once your custom pricing is set up, every new enquiry comes in with clear context and expectations, making it easier for customers to say “yes.”
📸 Custom Pricing for Photoshoots and Promo Work
If your car is often used for photoshoots, film work, or promotional content, custom pricing gives you the ability to set rates that match the unique structure of these jobs. With Dream Rides, you can easily offer hourly, half-day (4 hours), or full-day (8 hours) options — perfect for production crews, photographers, or brand campaigns that need clear expectations and budget flexibility. This level of control helps attract professional clients who often plan ahead and appreciate upfront clarity.
Why Custom Pricing Benefits You as a Driver or Fleet Owner
Taking the time to configure your custom pricing may seem like extra work upfront — but it pays off with less admin and more conversions down the track.
Here’s what you gain:
- ✅ Higher conversion rates: Customers who know what to expect are more likely to proceed to payment.
- ✅ Clarity across distance: Set transparent pricing for bookings outside your local area.
- ✅ Event-specific flexibility: Price differently for complex jobs (like weddings) versus simpler ones (like formals).
- ✅ Saves time for fleets: If you manage multiple vehicles, custom pricing makes coordination easier.
- ✅ Reach customers further away: Dream Rides is about unique experiences. If your vehicle is someone’s dream ride, they may travel — or pay for you to.
How the Customer Experiences It
Customers browsing your vehicle listing will see your base location, and the pricing they’re shown will automatically reflect the event type and distance — based on the parameters you’ve set when creating your listing. This level of clarity helps build trust and ensures customers understand the value of your service, making them more confident and comfortable when it’s time to confirm the booking.
🕒 Handling Getaways and Split Bookings
For regular bookings that require approval, you still have the flexibility to adjust the price before confirming a ride. This is especially helpful when a customer includes special requests in the enquiry notes — like a late-night getaway pickup after a wedding or a split booking across multiple times.
If a customer says something like:
- “Can we do photos earlier and a pick up and drop off here, then have you return for a getaway pickup at 11 PM?”
- “We’d love to book a getaway ride home later in the night — can that be added?”
You can easily include a fee for the extra time, distance, or late-night service. Just add the fee and include a note explaining the change before approving the booking. After a fee is added, the customer will then have the choice to either cancel the enquiry, or if they accept the price increase they can pay and lock in the ride.
This kind of flexibility makes it easier to say yes to unique requests while ensuring you’re compensated fairly — especially for dream rides that go the extra mile.
💸 Offering Discounts or Adjusted Rates
This flexibility also works in reverse. If you’d like to offer a discount or adjusted rate for a booking — for example, a lower hourly rate after the first three hours — you can easily do so by applying a negative adjustment before approving the enquiry.
Simply use the minus symbol (-) in the fee section to reduce the total amount. You might choose to do this:
- As a gesture of goodwill for a simple or short-distance job
- When a customer is booking multiple cars or longer hours
- To stay competitive and convert more enquiries into paid bookings
Just like with added fees, be sure to include a quick note so the customer knows you’ve customised the rate for them. This small touch helps build trust and often encourages them to proceed with the booking.
Bonus: Combine Custom Pricing with Instant Book 
Once your custom pricing is set and your calendar is up to date, you can take things even further with Instant Book.
Instant Book allows customers to book and pay instantly — no need to wait for approval or a quote. It’s the ultimate tool for fleet owners and drivers who want to streamline the process and maximise booking opportunities.
👉 Click here to learn more about Instant Book.
Final Thoughts: Pricing Is a Powerful Conversion Tool
Your pricing isn’t just a number — it’s a signal of value, professionalism, and trust. Whether you’re running a one-car side hustle or managing a fleet of dream machines, custom pricing gives you the flexibility, clarity, and control to turn more enquiries into paid, confirmed bookings.
Ready to take your listings to the next level?
→ Log in now and update your pricing settings
You can update your pricing when creating or editing your vehicle listing — changes can be made at any time.
Need support?
Look out for helpful links and prompts during the vehicle setup process. These will guide you step-by-step through setting up standard or custom pricing options to help you get the most from every ride.