Any experience with Airbnb?
Sep 22, 2015, 1:23 pm
#407
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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My guess is you avoid this forum like the plague, but there's a very long thread about AirBnb in there...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/budge...ce-airbnb.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/budge...ce-airbnb.html
~moderator
Sep 23, 2015, 2:49 am
#408
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,409
The verification process is the main reason I do use Airbnb.
Without it I would never stay at unknown foreign homes, often in shady countries.
They obviously do not run background checks over IDs, but it stays there WHEN and IF something bad happens.
It feels waaay more safe than leaving your passport overnight at a tons of hotel's desks. Occurence quite common here in Europe.
Without it I would never stay at unknown foreign homes, often in shady countries.
They obviously do not run background checks over IDs, but it stays there WHEN and IF something bad happens.
It feels waaay more safe than leaving your passport overnight at a tons of hotel's desks. Occurence quite common here in Europe.
Sep 23, 2015, 8:56 am
#409
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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I was using AirBnb several times before verification, and found myself looking for a place in Prague.
Thought I was grandfathered in until I tried to book the place
Decided to scan my passport - it is not linked to any other personal data that has my financial data, so it it gets hacked, I'm not worried about having to scramble to notify banks @:-)
Thought I was grandfathered in until I tried to book the place
Decided to scan my passport - it is not linked to any other personal data that has my financial data, so it it gets hacked, I'm not worried about having to scramble to notify banks @:-)
Sep 23, 2015, 12:57 pm
#410
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
The verification process is the main reason I do use Airbnb.
Without it I would never stay at unknown foreign homes, often in shady countries.
They obviously do not run background checks over IDs, but it stays there WHEN and IF something bad happens.
It feels waaay more safe than leaving your passport overnight at a tons of hotel's desks. Occurence quite common here in Europe.
Without it I would never stay at unknown foreign homes, often in shady countries.
They obviously do not run background checks over IDs, but it stays there WHEN and IF something bad happens.
It feels waaay more safe than leaving your passport overnight at a tons of hotel's desks. Occurence quite common here in Europe.
Sep 23, 2015, 7:59 pm
#411
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
pinniped, you realize there is a guest database that hosts have access to right? a guest review system, where they can see what all hosts have said about their guests. airbnb seems to be focused on hosts rather than guests.
but if their escrowing of funds works, that is nice.
but if their escrowing of funds works, that is nice.
Sep 23, 2015, 8:44 pm
#412
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
Russia?
IME, AirBnB authenticates for domestic stays (mine was in Jersey City) - but - not for int'l (I have had stays in Manila, Perth & Tokyo this year and none of them required me to authenticate using my passport).
My point is that authentication has more to do with reducing brand risk for AirBnB than verifying your identity or protecting your privacy! Russia? Good luck with that! Let me ask you a question : how do you reach AirBnB customer service folks if you have a problem in Russia?? When you find an answer, let me know!
Sep 25, 2015, 1:17 pm
#413
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
I use AirBnB all the time, but so far only in the US and Canada. I have not had a compelling reason to use AirBnB overseas, particularly given the possibility for language and service issues.
ETA: So far, I've never been asked to provide my passport for verification.
ETA: So far, I've never been asked to provide my passport for verification.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:47 pm
#414
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Sep 27, 2015, 8:44 am
#415
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 8
I used it in France for a short trip 2 years ago and had a great time. Great location, awesome price. It's just a matter of vetting as much as possible. I try to look at hosts with more than 10+ reviews and references that you can talk to.
Sep 27, 2015, 2:08 pm
#416
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MUC
Programs: Compulsory Traveller
Posts: 305
I've used AirBnB 9 times so far for stays in the US, Canada, Germany and Australia. Only had to do an ID verification once for a stay in Hawaii (of course now my account is ID verified).
Never had any bad experiences, only amazing to pretty good ones. Apply common sense - the profile of the host, the reviews, how he/she communicates with you should give you a pretty good idea of how trustworthy he/she is.
I would use AirBnB anywhere as long as I have the feeling that I can trust the host. I know that I can't expect any immediate help from AirBnB in some places (but the same goes for most OTAs), but at least I will get my money back if something goes completely wrong.
Never had any bad experiences, only amazing to pretty good ones. Apply common sense - the profile of the host, the reviews, how he/she communicates with you should give you a pretty good idea of how trustworthy he/she is.
I would use AirBnB anywhere as long as I have the feeling that I can trust the host. I know that I can't expect any immediate help from AirBnB in some places (but the same goes for most OTAs), but at least I will get my money back if something goes completely wrong.
Sep 27, 2015, 11:18 pm
#417
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA
Posts: 116
I'm booked for a place in Prague in July. I went with someone that had a LOT of reviews and most good. I'm very excited for this trip. I found the booking process pretty easy and I paid through Paypal.
Sep 28, 2015, 10:46 am
#418
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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Posts: 14,429
Sep 28, 2015, 12:32 pm
#419
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
I should clarify - of course there is no end of people overseas who speak good English. It's just that I have not found a compelling enough deal on AirBnB, while traveling overseas, to justify the difficulty of dealing with AirBnB should something go amiss. It feels a bit "riskier" to handle a problem overseas. Dodgy AirBnB options probably exist everywhere, but I particularly noticed when looking for Hong Kong (at a low price range, I should specify).
Sep 28, 2015, 9:27 pm
#420
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA
Posts: 116
We are right on Old Town Square so I'll be able to sneak out and enjoy some sights early and late without as many people.