Any experience with Airbnb?
Sep 21, 2015, 2:36 pm
#391
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After being on hold for a long time, this idiot tells me that my verification isn't going through because I should use either chrome or firefox. And I use safari. When I told her that I put my cc info she looked and saw that it came on twice but is stuck because of the verification isn't complete.
So, they can take the money while I use safari but not verification?
So, they can take the money while I use safari but not verification?
Sep 21, 2015, 2:41 pm
#392
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The verification process is the main reason I won't use Airbnb. (Their main competitor, VRBO/Homeaway, does not require it.)
It's *not* the same thing as showing a hotel clerk your passport. There, they look at it for 5 seconds and hand it back - solely to match your name to the reservation. (I have no problem showing ID to the proprietor of the house/BnB/whatever when I arrive, although in practice none has ever asked when I've booked via other channels.)
When I book a hotel on Orbitz, I don't have to provide any ID to Orbitz. Just the hotel itself.
Even in countries where hotels are permitted (or required) to track the foreigners in their hotel by writing down passport numbers and sharing them with local police, I only have to do it in person at the hotel...not with some third party. And it's never done online as a precursor to booking.
Don't get me wrong: leaving a passport unattended with a hotel clerk also makes me a bit queasy, but I recognize that it's the law in some places and just part of the drill when it comes to travel. If all Marriotts were storing passport information and all Hiltons were not, I'd be staying at Hiltons.
It's *not* the same thing as showing a hotel clerk your passport. There, they look at it for 5 seconds and hand it back - solely to match your name to the reservation. (I have no problem showing ID to the proprietor of the house/BnB/whatever when I arrive, although in practice none has ever asked when I've booked via other channels.)
When I book a hotel on Orbitz, I don't have to provide any ID to Orbitz. Just the hotel itself.
Even in countries where hotels are permitted (or required) to track the foreigners in their hotel by writing down passport numbers and sharing them with local police, I only have to do it in person at the hotel...not with some third party. And it's never done online as a precursor to booking.
Don't get me wrong: leaving a passport unattended with a hotel clerk also makes me a bit queasy, but I recognize that it's the law in some places and just part of the drill when it comes to travel. If all Marriotts were storing passport information and all Hiltons were not, I'd be staying at Hiltons.
Sep 21, 2015, 2:46 pm
#393
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I tried it once and booked a bedroom with an ensuite in Delaware but the shower had a used bar of soap which totally grossed me out. Never again!!!
Sep 21, 2015, 3:30 pm
#394
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The verification process is the main reason I won't use Airbnb. (Their main competitor, VRBO/Homeaway, does not require it.)
It's *not* the same thing as showing a hotel clerk your passport. There, they look at it for 5 seconds and hand it back - solely to match your name to the reservation. (I have no problem showing ID to the proprietor of the house/BnB/whatever when I arrive, although in practice none has ever asked when I've booked via other channels.)
When I book a hotel on Orbitz, I don't have to provide any ID to Orbitz. Just the hotel itself.
Even in countries where hotels are permitted (or required) to track the foreigners in their hotel by writing down passport numbers and sharing them with local police, I only have to do it in person at the hotel...not with some third party. And it's never done online as a precursor to booking.
Don't get me wrong: leaving a passport unattended with a hotel clerk also makes me a bit queasy, but I recognize that it's the law in some places and just part of the drill when it comes to travel. If all Marriotts were storing passport information and all Hiltons were not, I'd be staying at Hiltons.
It's *not* the same thing as showing a hotel clerk your passport. There, they look at it for 5 seconds and hand it back - solely to match your name to the reservation. (I have no problem showing ID to the proprietor of the house/BnB/whatever when I arrive, although in practice none has ever asked when I've booked via other channels.)
When I book a hotel on Orbitz, I don't have to provide any ID to Orbitz. Just the hotel itself.
Even in countries where hotels are permitted (or required) to track the foreigners in their hotel by writing down passport numbers and sharing them with local police, I only have to do it in person at the hotel...not with some third party. And it's never done online as a precursor to booking.
Don't get me wrong: leaving a passport unattended with a hotel clerk also makes me a bit queasy, but I recognize that it's the law in some places and just part of the drill when it comes to travel. If all Marriotts were storing passport information and all Hiltons were not, I'd be staying at Hiltons.
When I read the soap story, I might change my mind on AirBnb. But am taking a whole apt, and I always bring my own soap even when I go to my mother's house. Always. That is why I travel heavy.
Sep 21, 2015, 9:09 pm
#395
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Sep 21, 2015, 9:39 pm
#396
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I signed up. Yes I was a bit hesitant about the verification but I figure it is there to let the owners know they are not renting to degenerates.
I have booked a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment for a relative coming from overseas with harbour views.
I have booked a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment for a relative coming from overseas with harbour views.
Sep 22, 2015, 5:32 am
#398
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I'm on my first AirBnB stay right now, in the 9ieme. So far so good, but I spent a LOT of time studying the listings. In this case verification wasn't asked for, at least not personal/hackable data (I have an informal head shot and a short profile).
I thought that payment goes directly through AirBnB and not to the owner. My current rental didn't require a security deposit, which some owners request to be paid directly in cash. That would make me nervous.
Surprised that Safari would be the problem given that it is able to process your CC. I've had the opposite issue, needing to switch to Firefox when a site didn't recognize my date (Hotels.com).
I've had poorly cleaned rooms even in good hotels. Stuff happens. It's easy enough to read the AirBnB reviews to filter out hosts who don't clean properly.
I thought that payment goes directly through AirBnB and not to the owner. My current rental didn't require a security deposit, which some owners request to be paid directly in cash. That would make me nervous.
Surprised that Safari would be the problem given that it is able to process your CC. I've had the opposite issue, needing to switch to Firefox when a site didn't recognize my date (Hotels.com).
I've had poorly cleaned rooms even in good hotels. Stuff happens. It's easy enough to read the AirBnB reviews to filter out hosts who don't clean properly.
Sep 22, 2015, 5:41 am
#399
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London-etc
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Just recently signed up but have not used it yet. Once when I checked the hotel option was cheaper.
I have also looked at places in my hometown and in which I saw a lot of flats in which I know they are not allowed to rent it out. Also the tax office stated they pointed out that people must declare that income.
I have also looked at places in my hometown and in which I saw a lot of flats in which I know they are not allowed to rent it out. Also the tax office stated they pointed out that people must declare that income.
Sep 22, 2015, 5:49 am
#400
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I'm on my first AirBnB stay right now, in the 9ieme. So far so good, but I spent a LOT of time studying the listings. In this case verification wasn't asked for, at least not personal/hackable data (I have an informal head shot and a short profile).
I thought that payment goes directly through AirBnB and not to the owner. My current rental didn't require a security deposit, which some owners request to be paid directly in cash. That would make me nervous.
Surprised that Safari would be the problem given that it is able to process your CC. I've had the opposite issue, needing to switch to Firefox when a site didn't recognize my date (Hotels.com).
I've had poorly cleaned rooms even in good hotels. Stuff happens. It's easy enough to read the AirBnB reviews to filter out hosts who don't clean properly.
I thought that payment goes directly through AirBnB and not to the owner. My current rental didn't require a security deposit, which some owners request to be paid directly in cash. That would make me nervous.
Surprised that Safari would be the problem given that it is able to process your CC. I've had the opposite issue, needing to switch to Firefox when a site didn't recognize my date (Hotels.com).
I've had poorly cleaned rooms even in good hotels. Stuff happens. It's easy enough to read the AirBnB reviews to filter out hosts who don't clean properly.
It is a rather large place and stand alone building, so am not breaking any rules. And a friend will be going to pay the owner and pick up the keys. I will have my daughter's housekeeper clean the place and put my own sheets before I go. I like to use my own sheets if I don't know the quality of the place.
9eme you say…. You have great restos in your hood, lots of very good ones. Some of my favs. Am sure you found some. If you need more, pm me and I will send you my preferred ones. And a great one just opened next to you.
Sep 22, 2015, 6:15 am
#401
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http://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessag...ation-rentals/
http://maphappy.org/2015/05/why-you-...eviews-at-all/
http://skift.com/2014/11/21/airbnbs-...scammers-away/
Last edited by Analise; Sep 22, 2015 at 10:03 pm
Sep 22, 2015, 6:48 am
#402
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Thank you for the articles.
I have already spoken to the owner, and a friend will be going to visit the place, if she thinks it is ok, then she will pay him with a check and get the keys. Had he not agreed to this I wouldn't have taken it. And of course he has to check me out as well. I offered him to call the hotels I normally stay at and offered friends tel #s.
It is a two way street.
I wouldn't just hand my money to anyone. The ones who said they couldn't show it, I just skipped them.
Because am staying for a long time, I really need a place bigger than a room. I would have stayed at my preferred places but they are far from where my kiddo lives.
But people have to be aware.
I have already spoken to the owner, and a friend will be going to visit the place, if she thinks it is ok, then she will pay him with a check and get the keys. Had he not agreed to this I wouldn't have taken it. And of course he has to check me out as well. I offered him to call the hotels I normally stay at and offered friends tel #s.
It is a two way street.
I wouldn't just hand my money to anyone. The ones who said they couldn't show it, I just skipped them.
Because am staying for a long time, I really need a place bigger than a room. I would have stayed at my preferred places but they are far from where my kiddo lives.
But people have to be aware.
Sep 22, 2015, 7:30 am
#403
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Sep 22, 2015, 7:41 am
#404
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That would make me 100x *less* likely to use them.
I've heard of hotels snooping social media to gather intelligence on future guests, but I haven't heard of one running a background check to determine whether the future guest is a degenerate (presumably someone with a criminal record?). In foreign countries where passport information is systematically collected, I just assume the police use the data to track the movement of the guest while he/she is in the country.
Sep 22, 2015, 9:02 am
#405
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That implies that they're running background checks on the ID I provide??
That would make me 100x *less* likely to use them.
I've heard of hotels snooping social media to gather intelligence on future guests, but I haven't heard of one running a background check to determine whether the future guest is a degenerate (presumably someone with a criminal record?). In foreign countries where passport information is systematically collected, I just assume the police use the data to track the movement of the guest while he/she is in the country.
That would make me 100x *less* likely to use them.
I've heard of hotels snooping social media to gather intelligence on future guests, but I haven't heard of one running a background check to determine whether the future guest is a degenerate (presumably someone with a criminal record?). In foreign countries where passport information is systematically collected, I just assume the police use the data to track the movement of the guest while he/she is in the country.