Any experience with Airbnb?
Aug 4, 2015, 4:14 am
#361
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I have arrived at 2 airbnb stays where the accommodation was clearly unacceptable. Airbnb asked for pics & a description of the issues, then they refunded me the full amount - or - agreed to book alternative accommodation. What you may not know is I was not invited/allowed to write a review. That is fair (TA allows reviews, even if you did not stay there.)
Any host who depends on AirBnb for income is bound to be disappointed. The fees you pay are substantial (3 %). I agree they are growing quickly, but what is your evidence they are "massively wealthy"? As a private for profit company, Airbnb is not req'd to provide SEC-standard financial statements. Recently, they delayed their IPO to pursue venture capital for expansion:
Aug 4, 2015, 9:44 am
#362
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,409
Always thought also the hosts have to pay fees (though lower). Am I wrong?
Aug 4, 2015, 9:55 am
#363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
The cut that Airbnb takes is from the client. The host of course sets his price knowing that Airbnb will take 2 or 3 % but we don't have to send them any money. If for instance you as a host set your price as $100, and you really want to collect $100, you should set your price at $103 and Airbnb will take $3 and give you $100.
Aug 7, 2015, 3:10 am
#364
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,409
The cut that Airbnb takes is from the client. The host of course sets his price knowing that Airbnb will take 2 or 3 % but we don't have to send them any money. If for instance you as a host set your price as $100, and you really want to collect $100, you should set your price at $103 and Airbnb will take $3 and give you $100.
Will take it into account when offering a deal off airbnb to my hosts for longer stays.
Aug 19, 2015, 4:14 am
#365
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
I travel for many years and many times I have booked accommodation through Airbnb and I have always had a positive experience. Last I was in Berlin with my friends and I booked an apartment in the city center and we were thrilled. Each had paid € 20 which is the same price we would paid if we decided to go in the hostel. I the apartment we were able to cook and do everything in the as if we were at home, which is great and definitely a better option than a hostel for me.
Aug 19, 2015, 5:07 pm
#366
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, AMEX Business Platinum, AMEX Delta Reserve, DL SkyClub Member, Choice PM
Posts: 2,218
The cut that Airbnb takes is from the client. The host of course sets his price knowing that Airbnb will take 2 or 3 % but we don't have to send them any money. If for instance you as a host set your price as $100, and you really want to collect $100, you should set your price at $103 and Airbnb will take $3 and give you $100.
So if the price is $100 the host gets $97. The Guest would have paid $112.
Aug 24, 2015, 10:10 am
#368
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs: Delta, Starwood, Hilton
Posts: 455
Well not lots of personal information. Think of it this way. If you were renting your home you would like to know a little about the person to whom you are renting. My profile contains a picture, a sentence about me containing a tiny bit of information, my Facebook page without access that is given to friends only. Oh, and a positive review from my last rental.
Aug 24, 2015, 10:14 am
#369
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
You have to positively identify yourself to Airbnb. But you don't have to give that information to the host that you are staying with. And you don't need to give them your Facebook. I don't even have Facebook.
A photo and a few words about yourself are nice. But what I really want to see as a host are good reviews of your previous stays. If the previous host said you were clean and polite and respected the rules (no smoking, etc.) then I am happy to accept you as a guest.
A photo and a few words about yourself are nice. But what I really want to see as a host are good reviews of your previous stays. If the previous host said you were clean and polite and respected the rules (no smoking, etc.) then I am happy to accept you as a guest.
Aug 25, 2015, 10:03 am
#370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
is it possible to contact local (non-US) airbnb offices?
Aug 27, 2015, 4:56 am
#371
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
My issue with photos is that I have a strong dislike and aversion to my current appearance to the point that it triggers depression to varying degrees whenever I see my face (gender related medical issues). As such, I avoid photos and reflective surfaces whenever possible.
While there are some photos of me around, they are very rare and I am unlikely to be recognizable in them. I do not make a habit of looking for said photos.
The formatting of the airbnb website and how/where it displays any profile image doesn't help either.
I can never think of what to say for things like that.
So... you'll refuse someone who hasn't booked with airbnb before or otherwise has no reviews?
While there are some photos of me around, they are very rare and I am unlikely to be recognizable in them. I do not make a habit of looking for said photos.
The formatting of the airbnb website and how/where it displays any profile image doesn't help either.
and a few words about yourself are nice.
But what I really want to see as a host are good reviews of your previous stays. If the previous host said you were clean and polite and respected the rules (no smoking, etc.) then I am happy to accept you as a guest.
Aug 27, 2015, 5:33 am
#372
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
My issue with photos is that I have a strong dislike and aversion to my current appearance to the point that it triggers depression to varying degrees whenever I see my face (gender related medical issues). As such, I avoid photos and reflective surfaces whenever possible.
So... you'll refuse someone who hasn't booked with airbnb before or otherwise has no reviews?
Aug 27, 2015, 6:05 am
#373
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
From airbnb help about this issue "we’re taking the additional step of notifying members whose profile photos don't include a face."
It appears that they are going through profiles and if a face is not visible, requiring that the photo be changed.
Aug 28, 2015, 4:13 am
#374
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
I hade experience while on road trip in Portugal then Budapest and Vienna. Every country brings you kind of different way of communication. But people are same everywhere, so it's mostly the same quality. And some of them become your best friend, or just friends of on Facebook.
Aug 31, 2015, 9:16 am
#375
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SMR
Posts: 198
I made a reservation for Curacao. It was accepted, but I could not get in touch with the host. No communication at all.
I made contact with Airbnb customer service, who also could not get in contact with the host. In the end airbnb gave me a full refund.
I made contact with Airbnb customer service, who also could not get in contact with the host. In the end airbnb gave me a full refund.
