How can you negotiate prices on Airbnb?
Negotiating a price on Airbnb can be a delicate process that requires research, communication, and diplomacy. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the steps involved in negotiating the price of an Airbnb stay and provide tips and strategies to increase your chances of success. 1. Research Comparable Listings: Start by researching similar listings in the area you are planning to visit. Look for properties with comparable amenities, location, and size to the one you’re interested in. This will help you understand the typical price range for accommodations in that area and give you a basis for negotiating a fair price. Use Airbnb’s search filters to find comparable listings. Consider factors such as location, property type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and guest capacity. Read reviews to get a sense of the quality of the listings. Take note of the average price range and any patterns, such as higher prices for properties closer to popular attractions. 2. Choose the Right Time to Negotiate: Timing can play a significant role in your success when negotiating on Airbnb. Hosts are more likely to consider lowering their prices during off-peak seasons or when they have upcoming vacancies they need to fill. If possible, plan your trip during the off-season when there is less demand for accommodations. Monitor the availability calendar for the listing you’re interested in. If you notice many open dates close to your desired travel period, the host may be more willing to negotiate. 3. Craft a Polite and Respectful Message: When reaching out to a host, it’s crucial to be polite and respectful in your communication. Keep in mind that hosts are more likely to consider a price negotiation if you establish a friendly rapport and communicate your needs clearly. Introduce yourself and express your interest in the listing. Share some details about your trip, such as the purpose, number of guests, and any special requirements. Be honest about your reasons for requesting a discount (e.g., budget constraints, extended stay, or off-season travel). Express appreciation for their time and consideration. 4. Send an Inquiry, Not a Reservation Request: Instead of submitting a reservation request with your desired price, send an inquiry to the host to discuss the possibility of a special offer. This approach allows you to negotiate without committing to a booking or putting pressure on the host. Use the “Contact Host” option on the listing page to send an inquiry. In your message, ask if the host would be open to discussing a special offer based on your reasons for requesting a discount. Avoid mentioning specific numbers or discounts at this point. 5. Make a Reasonable Offer: If the host is open to negotiating, propose a fair discount based on your research and reasons for requesting a lower rate. Keep in mind that an unrealistically low offer may offend the host or discourage them from engaging in further negotiation. Suggest a discount that aligns with the average price range for comparable listings in the area. Explain how you arrived at the proposed discount and emphasize that you believe it to be a fair offer. Be prepared to justify your offer based on the factors you’ve considered (e.g., off-season travel, longer stay, or budget constraints). 6. Be Flexible and Open to Alternatives: Sometimes, hosts may not be willing or able to lower their nightly rate but may offer other incentives or concessions. Be open to these alternatives, as they may still result in overall savings for your stay. Consider accepting a discount on a more extended stay or a waived cleaning fee. Be prepared to adjust your travel dates or consider alternative listings if the host cannot accommodate your request. 7. Await the Special Offer: If the host agrees to a discount, they will send you a “Special Offer” with the revised pricing. Good luck 🙂 Also read Which is Better Airbnb or Vrbo
How To Review Your Airbnb Stay With 50+ Best Airbnb Review Examples
Out of review ideas for your Airbnb host or guest who just checked out? Here is a list of 50+ best AirBnb review example you can get started with or copy-paste them. But before we indulge in the examples, a few tips about writing a useful and effective Airbnb review. Airbnb Review FAQ’s How long do I have to write an Airbnb review? You have 14 days after checkout time to write a review your trip. Can Airbnb extend the review period? No exceptions – Under no circumstances Airbnb will extend the 14 days for you. If you miss the 14 days period, you have missed the opportunity to write the review permanently. Don’t waste your time asking Airbnb to extend the period for you; they won’t do it. Can I edit a review I wrote? You have 48 hours to edit your review unless the other party has already reviewed you or the 14-day time limit passed. Once a review is published, you cannot edit it. Can I delete a published review? Technically, yes you can contact Airbnb and request for deletion. Practically, they won’t delete it unless it violates Airbnb content policy or outright discriminatory. Don’t waste your time if you are looking to change the words, turn it between a positive/negative or made a mistake – they won’t let you do it. What can I not say or do in a review? Reviews that don’t represent personal experience. Reviews that are not related to the reservation, for example, commentary about political, religious, or social issues. Review that endorses or promotes illegal, harmful activity, violence, vulgarity, discriminatory or threatening. Content that violates another person’s rights, such as intellectual property rights and privacy rights. For example, mentioning personal address and additional identifying information. How long after I leave a review will it be published? Both the host and guest have 14 days to leave a review for each other. Once you both leave a review for each other, the review is posted immediately in their Airbnb public profile. If you leave a review for the other person but the other person does not review you, it will automatically be published after the 14 day period expires Can I respond to a review? Yes, you can respond to a review written by the other party within days of the review being published. Remember your response will be public on your profile. Read more about Airbnb guidelines on how to respond to a review. How to write an Airbnb review? 1. Be kind and honest People use Airbnb for their livelihood, and a small negative comment in the review which they didn’t deserve can have severe financial consequences on the person and his family. 2. Mention name Mention your Airbnb host’s name and write a few sentences about their personality (if you met them) or the communication throughout the stay. 3. Highlight check-in Write about the check-in process and how difficult or easy it was to get into the property. 4. What you loved Write something which you found very convenient and helpful during your stay. It can be anything such as the location of the property, recommendations of the host, information provided or the amenities in the property 5. Suggest improvements Suggest what could be better and make the stay more comfortable for future guests. Remember, there is a very fine line between negative feedback and constructive criticism. Be positive. 6. Summarise with a sentence for future guests In the end, mention if you would recommend (or not recommend) the property to other guests. If in doubt, see what others have written and used it as an inspiration. 7. Know Airbnb star rating In the world of Airbnb, 5-star rating mean satisfactory and above and a 4-star rating means you had a bad experience. Read the Airbnb review guidelines for more information. 50+ Airbnb Review Examples(as a Guest) [host] was a great host! Responded very quickly, and was very accommodating to our needs/requests. Check-in instructions were super detailed and helpful. The apartment was very clean and well stocked. We could not have asked for a better location. Overall a wonderful place; we would stay here again easily! [host]’s place was brilliant, great value for money and great location, Flat was clean and welcoming, beds were comfy and the shower was great , added bonuses with the tea and coffee, all in all the flat was a great stay and would recommend it to anyone. The property is absolutely clean and stylish. It is exactly the same as shown in the pictures and within walking distances to various attractions. This is such a stylish flat, 2 big, very cosy beds and a sofa bed; all perfect for our family of 5. Lovely hot shower and shampoo and conditioner if needed. A kitchen with all the items you’d need and all very clean and well presented. We would definitely recommend, as we feel so lucky to have found this little treasure in the beautiful town of [town name]. This is such a stylish flat, 2 big, very cosy beds and a sofa bed; all perfect for our family of 5. Lovely hot shower and shampoo and conditioner if needed. A kitchen with all the items you’d need and all very clean and well presented. We would definitely recommend, as we feel so lucky to have found this little treasure in the beautiful town of [town name]. Pictures on the internet do not do this property justice wow factor. Location was fab. Quiet but close to shops parks and train station. Very comfortable would definitely recommend. Great value for money. Well equipped and comfortable, spotlessly clean. Short walk to train station, local supermarket and bus stop. Local amenities include pharmacy, doctor’s surgery and public park. Restaurants and take away shops all within walking distance. One of the very few pet friendly Airbnb in the city and I am sure it is the best too. Had great time staying at [host]’s place. Flat was sparkling clean with
How to Plan a Budget-Conscious Trip at the Last Minute
Vacations, long and short, have been a staple for Americans since the country’s foundation. While some take advantage of a long weekend by hosting a barbecue or going to a parade, others prefer to leave town for some well-deserved R&R. The good thing is that you can have a successful trip even if you don’t have a long time to plan. If the time for your trip is sneaking up on you before you’ve planned a getaway, don’t worry—BNB Specialist has got you covered. Here are some last-minute trip planning tips that won’t require you to spend a fortune. Prepare for Your Absence at Work If you run your own business, it can be very difficult to get away, even for a short vacation. But not to worry; this can be done! With a careful approach, you can unplug while the wheels of your small business keep turning. Alert any clients to your absence, and move meetings to a few days after you return. Work with staff, and delegate responsibilities that can be tackled when you’re away. While you may not be able to completely unplug, have a plan for how to handle emergencies. Go Somewhere Within Driving Distance First of all, you don’t want to spend half your trip in transit. Think of places you love to visit or research great destinations you can drive to in a few hours or less. Not only is this a cost-effective option, but you can leave on Friday evening or early Saturday morning and get the most leisure time out of your trip. If you choose to fly somewhere, try to get direct flights (though they are typically more expensive); otherwise, you might literally spend half your trip in transit. MoneyUnder30.com notes that you can often find better deals on flights by shopping midweek. Go Where Others Aren’t It’s also helpful to choose a destination where everyone and their mother isn’t going. For instance, if you want to go to the beach or mountains, opt for a place that doesn’t have a lot of tourists. This will allow you and your family to have a more relaxing time, and hotels will probably be less expensive. Keep it Fun for the Kids If you’re taking kids on your trip, you will need to make sure they stay entertained. The days will keep them pretty occupied (with traveling, sightseeing, etc.), but you may need to have something prepared for nights. For instance, Family Vacation Critic points out that card games and board games are great for family vacations. Look for Package Deals If you’re planning to fly somewhere, try to find a package deal. These usually come with airfare, hotels and activities. Not only does bundling all these prices into one save you money, but the search itself can reveal what areas have the best deals available, thus simplifying your search for a destination. Plus, seeing the flight and hotel prices together will help you stick to your budget. Remember Your Budget Lastly, don’t forget about your budget in the midst of planning your trip. When you’re pressed for time planning a last-minute trip, it’s easy to splurge on this and that, and before too long, you’ve gone way over your budget. Don’t settle for the first deal you find if it’s too much; keep looking until you find something reasonable so that you can relax and not stress about how you’re overspending. Furthermore, make sure you remember your budget during the vacation. There are many ways to enjoy your well-deserved downtime, but going on a short trip may be the best one. Consider going to a destination within a reasonable driving distance, and look for somewhere that doesn’t see tons of travelers. Also, remember to bring some activities and distractions for the kids, and search for good package deals to save money. Finally, stick to your budget during the planning process; that way, you can kick back and relax, knowing that your vacation isn’t putting you in the hole. STR Specialist helps you learn Airbnb tips like a pro! Contact us today!
Why Are Airbnb Ratings Important?
Reviews and ratings play a pivotal role when you are purchasing anything online. The same goes for accommodation facilities at Airbnb. Airbnb ratings are crucial in ranking any listing. Well, obviously, the more good ratings a host will have, the more bookings he will score. Similarly, to be recognized as a reliable guest that every host would offer their property, it is essential for guests to have good ratings too. 1. Airbnb Ratings for Hosts Here are some reasons why every host should strive to gain a five-stars rating: a. Reliability And Credibility When it comes to purchasing things, no buyer would want to procure a product that has a rating of less than 3.3 out of 5, but if any product has a rating of more than 4 or 4.5, he will obviously get inclined to that item. The same is the case for the Airbnb business. You can upload the best pictures of your place and write a good listing, but if your rental has low Airbnb ratings, then you will have a hard time scoring bookings of your rental home. Having high ratings means your previous guests have enjoyed their stay and your services and amenities are exemplary. Similarly, your low ratings depict that your place isn’t as much of a top-notch as you have described in your listing and shown in pictures. This can affect the credibility of your listing in the long run. b. Superhost Airbnb grants a superhost status to those hosts that have successfully gathered a 5-star Airbnb rating and have 80% positive reviews. This status will be visible in the form of a badge on your listing. For many people, vacation trips are special, and they don’t want any hustle which they are enjoying their time. Therefore, many guests tend to choose superhosts only because they are confident that they will offer the best place to stay and exceptional services. Least to say, superhosts are the most reliable hosts on Airbnb. c. Accuracy No matter how alluring one paints their listing, Airbnb ratings show off their actual picture. However, guests aren’t always generous and are a bit stubborn when it comes to rating your place. But, you shouldn’t worry about it because most of the guest’s ratings are honest, and therefore, one can say that these Airbnb ratings are genuine and show the accuracy of the listing. 2. Airbnb Ratings for Guests Yes, hosts too can rate their guests. However, these Airbnb ratings of guests won’t show until the guest has left the ratings and 14 days has passed after the check-out. The host rating their guests is the exact reason why guests rate the hosts. One may think that as a guest, their Airbnb ratings aren’t that important. Who would decline a booking request, right? Wrong! A host can decline your booking request anytime if they sense anything suspicious, and Airbnb ratings show your credibility as a guest. Your ratings as a guest show how easy or stubborn you are to work with or whether you will follow all the house or not. These guest ratings help other hosts to know how reliable the guest is and whether or not they should accept their booking. Many guests are a nuisance, and some would even damage the host property with no remorse. So, to keep these trouble-making guests exploit hosts further, Airbnb gives opportunities to hosts to rank their guests. Usually, Airbnb sends a message to a host after the guest check-out to rate them. 3. How Can You See Your Airbnb Ratings? You have to log in to your Airbnb account from a computer to view your Airbnb ratings when navigating through the rating section. You have all the instructions there to help you reach your Airbnb ratings. 4. How to See Your Airbnb Ratings as A Guest? Login to Airbnb.com from your computer On the top right of your Airbnb page, you will see your profile icon after logging in. On your profile icon, you will have a drop-down menu. From this menu, select the ‘account option.’ Now, on the very top of your ‘account’ page, you will see an option that reads ‘go to profile’- Click that option. This will lead to your profile page, where you can see all the details of your profile like account verification, picture, etc. this page will also show your Airbnb ratings that how much you have scored out of 5 stars. There also be a review section that has words about you written by the hosts you have booked. 5. How to See Ratings as a Host? We have already discussed above how crucial it is to maintain a good rating as a host. To evaluate your Airbnb ratings progress, you must have to view your ratings regularly. When you make a hosting account on Airbnb, there are two hosting tools options that you will have to choose from. If you’ve chosen the traditional hosting tools, then follow these steps to view your Airbnb ratings: Login to your Airbnb account and navigate to the ‘progress page. On the ‘progress page,’ you will see the ‘reviews’ option- click it. This will allow you to view your Airbnb ratings out of five stars and also all your reviews submitted by your guests, You can even break down your ratings into categories like communication, cleanliness, check-in, value accuracy, and location. You probably would’ve chosen professional hosting, too, if you manage more than one Airbnb rental property. Follow these steps if you use professional tools: Locate your ‘progress’ page after logging in. Find the ‘quality’ tab on your performance page. On this page, you can view your progress, Airbnb ratings, and reviews of different properties. 6. Conclusion-Airbnb Ratings Reviews and ratings are crucial in this Airbnb rental business. They help both the hosts and guests know about each other, their reliability, and credibility. Giving your property off to a stranger is something that needs trust. Similarly, when you are in a foreign place, you would want
Can You Use Airbnb For Parties? Not Anymore!
Previously with certain terms and conditions, one could use Airbnb for parties. However, Airbnb now no longer allows guests to hold parties at Airbnb rentals. In August 2020, Airbnb forbade its guests to use any of the Airbnb for parties. Previously one had to authorize parties before throwing one in Airbnb, but now it even prohibits authorized parties. One might think what could be the reason for this drastic step as this ban can also result in low Airbnb booking rates. According to Airbnb, the main reason for banning the use of Airbnb for parties is because of the public concerns of the coronavirus spread. I think this decision is very responsible on Airbnb’s part and should be applauded. In the news released in May, Airbnb extended the party ban till the end of 2021 summer or until further notice. Some people are concerned whether Airbnb will consider group stays and consider it a party. This comprehensive article will provide you all the necessary information you require regarding Airbnb global ban. 1. Ban on The Usage Of Airbnb For Parties-Airbnb Party Ban Policy Explained For years Airbnb rentals have been a favorite place to organize parties. However, Airbnb only allowed authorized parties on their rentals at that time. But, even after Airbnb clearly stated this law, people used to throw unauthorized parties. Despite not following this rule and using Airbnb for parties without authorization, very few complaints were received. Fast forward to July 2020, when Airbnb announced that there would be restrictions on people under 25 who would want to use Airbnb for parties in Canada, UK, the USA, Spain, and France. People under 25 were looked at their booking history, and unless they are verified, they weren’t allowed to host parties on Airbnb. Then in August 2021, observing the status of coronavirus, Airbnb put a global ban on partying in Airbnb and with that ends the era of throwing and enjoying parties at Airbnb. Along with this party ban policy, Airbnb also prohibited booking more than 16 persons at a time. As of now, there is no authentic or confirmed news of Airbnb lifting the ban on parties, so no host is allowed to use Airbnb for parties till further notices are issued by Airbnb. 2. What Will Airbnb Consider As A Party? People usually travel to celebrate. Whether it’s marking a significant life event, celebrating someone’s birthday, or just having a break from work, people typically book a trip to their favorite places to cherish moments with the people they are close to. However, after the party ban policy, no one is allowed to party on Airbnb, even for celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, or weddings because all these are considered ‘parties’ for Airbnb. If you are on the same page with the host and have discussed gathering details before booking an Airbnb, you may be allowed to celebrate a baby shower, bridal shower, elopement, or wedding reception. Even in these cases, you cannot have more than 16 people collectively in an Airbnb property. While using an Airbnb for prohibited, you can still cherish moments with your family and finds as long as you follow certain rules. These include: You should personally know everyone in the group, which means it will not be an open-invite get-together. The maximum numbers of guests you invite are 16. Follow all the house rules stated by the host. You will have to disclose the intention of your booking an Airbnb before making a reservation. No one would be permitted to enter the Airbnb property if they aren’t registered. This means that each and every guest would be accounted for when you make a reservation. 3. Can Airbnb Check The Number Of Guests That Arrive After Check-In? No, Airbnb cannot check or know how many people have arrived. However, this doesn’t mean that you can party without all you want. If a neighbor complains about you, your hosts see it; you can say bye-bye to your user account as it will be banned in no time 4. How Can You Find An Airbnb For Your Small Group? Finding a perfect Airbnb rental for your small group is very simple. All you would have to do is to enter the number of guests in the search bar, and Airbnb will show you the recommendations that would accommodate your desired number of guests. You can then browse the showed listings and read the house rules. If you find the property that you and your group like and is in your budget, talk to your host about the intention of your trip. 5. Will Airbnb Lift A Ban From Using Airbnb For Parties? As of yet, there are no solid reports of party ban to be lifted from Airbnb rentals; neither is Airbnb considering it. It seems like Airbnb isn’t going to allow any parties to be hosted in the near future. Recently, Airbnb has removed an option of ‘event friendly search and ‘parties and events allowed’ option for hosts. This is giving an insight into Airbnb’s intention of lighting the party ban. Airbnb is clearly focusing on hosting couples and small groups, and families in their rental units. However, there is a possibility that Airbnb will change the number of group members allowed restriction in the future. 6. Conclusion- Airbnb for Parties It seems like the era of using Airbnb for parties and events is over. But, if you are interested in a low-key celebration with a small group, then Airbnb can still be your option to enjoy those moments. However, you need to follow all the instructions issued by Airbnb and house rules set by the host to avoid any inconvenience. If you’re wondering if Airbnb is serious about this party ban policy, then you must know that till July 2021, Airbnb has blocked around 20,000 bookings across seven cities of the US as a result of Airbnb being suspicious about their bookings. I hope you have all your concerns answered in this
Host On Airbnb With No Reviews – Should I Consider Another Booking?
It has become a common practice to check online reviews before purchasing or making any reservation. Therefore, reviews play an important role in boosting a business. Similarly, reviews are one of the key factors for an Airbnb host to get bookings. A listing on Airbnb with no reviews will probably make people to move on to the next one. We cannot deny the fact that Airbnb hosts that have more positive reviews are more reliable. Reviews are a sign of credibility more than the description of the place and pictures. So, what should you do when you really like the place, but it’s Airbnb with no reviews? Should you not book them, given that the location and pictures are excellent? Or should you give them the benefit of the doubt? Let’s discuss further what you should do when you encounter Airbnb with no reviews. Are you concerned about booking Airbnb with no reviews? Your concern is justified when it comes to booking an Airbnb rental. You might not know the location you’re going to visit. No reviews mean the host has no credibility; booking such a rental is aiming an arrow in the dark. Don’t worry, if you like the place and the only problem is Airbnb with no reviews. There are ways you can check a host’s reliability and services. 1-Critically analyze description and photos Yes, the description can be misguiding, and pictures can be fake, so you must give a critical eye to both in the listing. It’s not easy to fake them both; you can quickly identify if the host is misleading their guests about their rental. One cannot write paragraphs and paragraphs describing something that is not essential there. Either they will write the ‘too good to be true kind of description, or they end up with a caption that would show not much of an effort. All you need to do is to look out for the inconsistencies in their listings. Making up specifics isn’t that easy and is easy to spot as fake if it shows inconsistencies. Make sure to thoroughly give a read to how a host is describing the anterior of their Airbnb with no reviews. Look out of these descriptions matches with the pictures. Have the host included the floor plan in the photos? Does this floor plan match the exterior picture and the description? If you spot any inconsistency, then the host might be faking it. For instance, if the host describes the Airbnb rental as balconies facing the sea or any good view and you spot no balcony in the exterior picture, then you know there’s something fishy. This is one of the obvious ways to check the reliability of Airbnb with no reviews. Other big red flags to look for are whether the host uploaded the pictures of the house’s only exterior or just only one room. If they do have photos of other rooms, make sure they match with the exterior design because most homeowners keep the theme of interiors and exterior of the place the same. You wouldn’t see a modern and sleek bungalow with rustic and hippie settings inside. 2- Cross-reference with other short-term rental websites There’s a chance that a rental on Airbnb with no reviews on the Airbnb site is more reviewed on the other sites. Most Airbnb hosts list their places on Airbnb sites only rather than cross-list on other sites like HomeAway and VBRO. If you search for similar specifics on the other website, you might get the same results. If Airbnb with no reviews had no listing on other sites when you typed the same criteria, then there’s a possibility this listing is not accurate. If you find the same rental on another site, then dig a little deeper into the details and reviews. If all of the other websites have the same vague description and pictures, then there’s a chance the host you are dealing with is a scammer. 3- Contact the host One of the most impeccable and convenient features of Airbnb is that you can contact the host before booking their rental. Use this feature and ask every question that you have in mind about their place. Ask them if their listing is new or they haven’t welcomed many guests as of yet. If a person is a scammer, he will give non-descriptive answers. They won’t be able to reply in a satisfactory tone. There’s a thing; when you lie, you give pauses in the conversation more than required or add fillers while talking. Take that hint and never book that Airbnb. If their answers seem convincing, ask them about their interior or exterior in a general conversational tone. The chances are that hosts might not give a second thought when answering about their own place if the listing is legit, but they might not give the little details about the area when they are faking their conversation. 4- Avoid contact with the host outside the Airbnb site Requesting for an Airbnb is pretty straightforward. You just choose your desired dates and ask the host for a reservation. If a host tries to reach out to you after or before making a reservation, asking for a contact number or email address to connect to you, this is a red flag. While many hosts with excellent reviews do contact outside the Airbnb site, but the case here is that it’s Airbnb with no reviews. 5- Trust your gut before booking Airbnb with no reviews You know when you encounter a scammer or legitimate host. There’s a sixth sense telling you there’s something sketchy about the listing. They say even the most robust thief leaves a small clue; the key is to look for it. When things seem too glammy and glittery in the listing and the place has no reviews, you obviously wouldn’t want to book it. Similarly, if the host barely makes an effort to write a description or upload a photo, don’t book them. If
