Check in and outs

[Sandy746]

I’ve been hosting for a few months now and I’ve had 2 guests request either early checkin or checkouts, should I charge an additional fee for this?  What is recommend as a host? 

[Kate867]

@Sandy746   Hosts all do different things and what suits them best.  We always allow an early check in and a late check out if requested within reason, but only if we are able to depending on housekeeper and outgoing / incoming guests at no extra charge.  Some of our guests may be flying in and I would not want them trying to ‘fill in’ a few hours after a long flight, particularly if they have children with them.  

However, we do make it absolutely crystal clear that any early check in or late check out must  be mutually agreed in advance on the Airbnb messages and that anything outside of this will be charged at £x per hour or part of and sought through the resolution centre.   This will then allow us to adequately compensate other guests should their check in be delayed due to someone overstaying and delaying the cleaning and preparation works.

The majority of our guests appreciate this flexibility and often mention and thank us for it.

[Lorna170]

@Sandy746   I am a host that tries to limit early check-in and late checkout requests.  Because of Covid, a lot of guests are under the impression that if we have 24 hours for cleaning, they can arrive and leave as they please.  NO.  They can arrive and depart according to the booking.  I am a drive to location, so guests can plan accordingly.  I have found that flexibility leads to guests taking advantage and arriving far too early or leaving only when housekeeping has arrived.   I once had guests arrive a full day early as my calendar had an open day!  So, NO.  If you need very early or very late, pay for the extra day(s).

[Debra300]

@Sandy746,

I have set 2 p.m. for the check-in and checkout time, and 24-48 hours between bookings.  These times are earlier and later than the customary times of 4 p.m. check-in and 11 a.m. checkout.  I generally don't accept more than an hour deviation due to my or my cleaners schedule.  If they really want the extra time, and the suite/apartment is available, I do charge one-half of the standard nightly rate for up to four hours.  A longer duration would require booking the prior or subsequent night.

I understand that guests just want to get to their rental after traveling, but it is unreasonable to expect a host to change the work schedule of the rental's support team or incur additional cost for the extended stay.  

In St. Lucia, all long-haul  international flights come from Canada, US and UK, and arrive in the afternoon and evening.  It's only the regional flights that land in the morning.   I've had people ring me as early as 7 a.m. to let me they've landed, and should arrive in 30 minutes.   I just remind them of what's on their itinerary and has been said I my guest greeting messages, check-in is at 2 p.m.  Usually, we accommodate for gratis requests that are made in advance for an early check-in that  will also have an early checkout.