Post by High Priestess on Mar 8, 2018 15:40:05 GMT
So, Airbnb has rolled out a new option for guests doing group bookings, which is called "group payment." This allows the payment for a reservation to be made by more than one guest. See here:
www.airbnb.co.in/help/article/2034/what-s-group-payment
One problem with this new system is that guests are given 4 days to complete the payment, and if they don't complete payment within that time frame, the reservation is cancelled and your calendar is re-opened. But...what if you don't want your calendar blocked for 4 days while the guests all try to coordinate payment?
THere is a way to not allow group payment...if you want to be creative and it does take some extra work. However, keep in mind that it's likely that most hosts who allow groups (which really is anything more than 1 person) will probably allow group payment -- particularly because hosts for the most part have no say in the matter. There's no way you can "turn off" group payment options in your settings.
However there is still a way to not allow groups to make group payments, and to require that the entire payment for the reservation be made by one person.
It is easier if you are not on IB. You state in your listing that guests should contact you via inquiry before submitting a reservation request. Say you have a listing with max occupancy of 8. Then if someone contacts you saying they have a group of 7 people who want to stay for 4 days in April, you tell them fine, and you tell them the price (or they will see the price on your listing) and then you tell them that you will send a preapproval, it will be set for one guest but the price will be the price for 7 guests and you will need to know all their names/contact info after booking.
Then you send them a preapproval for a reservation for ONE guest at the price for 7 people. State in the message that the reservation is for 7 people, and no more, and that you must have names of all guests before or just after booking.
Since the reservation is "officially" for one person, group payment is not an option. The guest who inquires needs to pay for the reservation in full, and then the others in the group can reimburse that guest. But the price is still for 7 and they can bring 7.
Of course, if the guests really want to do group payment and you don't allow it, they can find another host who will allow it, and most hosts will.
www.airbnb.co.in/help/article/2034/what-s-group-payment
One problem with this new system is that guests are given 4 days to complete the payment, and if they don't complete payment within that time frame, the reservation is cancelled and your calendar is re-opened. But...what if you don't want your calendar blocked for 4 days while the guests all try to coordinate payment?
THere is a way to not allow group payment...if you want to be creative and it does take some extra work. However, keep in mind that it's likely that most hosts who allow groups (which really is anything more than 1 person) will probably allow group payment -- particularly because hosts for the most part have no say in the matter. There's no way you can "turn off" group payment options in your settings.
However there is still a way to not allow groups to make group payments, and to require that the entire payment for the reservation be made by one person.
It is easier if you are not on IB. You state in your listing that guests should contact you via inquiry before submitting a reservation request. Say you have a listing with max occupancy of 8. Then if someone contacts you saying they have a group of 7 people who want to stay for 4 days in April, you tell them fine, and you tell them the price (or they will see the price on your listing) and then you tell them that you will send a preapproval, it will be set for one guest but the price will be the price for 7 guests and you will need to know all their names/contact info after booking.
Then you send them a preapproval for a reservation for ONE guest at the price for 7 people. State in the message that the reservation is for 7 people, and no more, and that you must have names of all guests before or just after booking.
Since the reservation is "officially" for one person, group payment is not an option. The guest who inquires needs to pay for the reservation in full, and then the others in the group can reimburse that guest. But the price is still for 7 and they can bring 7.
Of course, if the guests really want to do group payment and you don't allow it, they can find another host who will allow it, and most hosts will.