Post by High Priestess on May 28, 2016 4:16:19 GMT
Sam shared on New Hosts Forum June 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-91032
Last minute requests and approval stats
This past week our approval rate has plummeted because we keep getting requests from people the day they want to stay with us. It's worked out once but usually we don't find that's enough notice for us to prepare for our guest and adjust our schedule to accommodate them (it's a shared living rental).
I'm not too concerned about our stats but it's been frustrating to have to decline so many requests. Personally I find booking a place to stay the day-of is way too last minute and is asking a lot from a host. Any suggestions on how to get around this? I've been letting them know we declined because we don't have enough notice to adequately accommodate them.
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Andrew
Andrew2 years ago
One solution that would increase both your approval rate and your search-rank potential would be to update your calendar regularly so that ONLY dates when you are prepared and available to host are shown. If today's date is open but you're not able to take a last-minute guest, block it!
If regular calendar maintenance seems like too much effort, another thing you can do is introduce a Minimum Stay. Most last-minute requests are likely to be somewhat short-term, 1 or 2 nights. Turning over a room for a 1-night booking, at your rate without a cleaning fee, honestly seems like more trouble than it's worth, considering your scheduling restraints. By applying a 3-night minimum stay and, say, a discounted weekly rate, you can significantly reduce the number of last-minute requests and fill up bigger blocks of your calendar at a time.
Now, if you're depending on income from this listing and your listing is especially well-positioned for last-minute trade, the more practical thing to do would be to keep the room prepared at all available times and set a check-in time that reflects when someone in the household can be home. 6 PM check-ins are not exactly popular with guests, but for last-minute travelers it's much better than being declined.
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Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach2 years ago
Well said Andrew and thanks I learned something everyday.
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Suzanne
Suzanne2 years ago
Have to agree with Andrew; if place is kept ready, no problem.
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Nonya
Nonya2 years ago
Also, put in the first or 2nd paragraph that you will only accept one last minute reservations if its within 24 hours from arrival time. No same day requests will be accepted. (Thats if you don't want to place a Minimum Stay of 2 nights)
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Sam
Sam2 years ago
Thanks everyone for your feedback!
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-91032
Last minute requests and approval stats
This past week our approval rate has plummeted because we keep getting requests from people the day they want to stay with us. It's worked out once but usually we don't find that's enough notice for us to prepare for our guest and adjust our schedule to accommodate them (it's a shared living rental).
I'm not too concerned about our stats but it's been frustrating to have to decline so many requests. Personally I find booking a place to stay the day-of is way too last minute and is asking a lot from a host. Any suggestions on how to get around this? I've been letting them know we declined because we don't have enough notice to adequately accommodate them.
5 comments
Follow
Like
Delete
Hide
Andrew
Andrew2 years ago
One solution that would increase both your approval rate and your search-rank potential would be to update your calendar regularly so that ONLY dates when you are prepared and available to host are shown. If today's date is open but you're not able to take a last-minute guest, block it!
If regular calendar maintenance seems like too much effort, another thing you can do is introduce a Minimum Stay. Most last-minute requests are likely to be somewhat short-term, 1 or 2 nights. Turning over a room for a 1-night booking, at your rate without a cleaning fee, honestly seems like more trouble than it's worth, considering your scheduling restraints. By applying a 3-night minimum stay and, say, a discounted weekly rate, you can significantly reduce the number of last-minute requests and fill up bigger blocks of your calendar at a time.
Now, if you're depending on income from this listing and your listing is especially well-positioned for last-minute trade, the more practical thing to do would be to keep the room prepared at all available times and set a check-in time that reflects when someone in the household can be home. 6 PM check-ins are not exactly popular with guests, but for last-minute travelers it's much better than being declined.
Reply Like 7 likes Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach2 years ago
Well said Andrew and thanks I learned something everyday.
Reply Like Delete
Suzanne
Suzanne2 years ago
Have to agree with Andrew; if place is kept ready, no problem.
Reply Like Delete
Nonya
Nonya2 years ago
Also, put in the first or 2nd paragraph that you will only accept one last minute reservations if its within 24 hours from arrival time. No same day requests will be accepted. (Thats if you don't want to place a Minimum Stay of 2 nights)
Reply Like Delete
Sam
Sam2 years ago
Thanks everyone for your feedback!