Is Instant Book right for you?

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Is Instant Book right for you?

Instant Book basics

Instant Book is a powerful tool that allows guests to instantly book your home for available dates—alleviating the need for hosts to review and accept each booking request individually. Many hosts report that they earn more money by making the booking process easier for guests, and that they appreciate the convenience this provides. Listings with Instant Book also tend to show up higher in Airbnb search results. “The Instant Book feature has worked very well for us,” says host Antonio of Goa, India. “I keep the calendar updated and many guests book without my intervention.”

 

Keeping your calendar up-to-date is key to using Instant Book successfully. If you’re not able to do this, you could be surprised by unexpected bookings or end up canceling a reservation due to a scheduling error—an Airbnb no-no that could result in a cancellation fee. To ensure that your Airbnb calendar is always current, it’s a good idea to sync it with whatever calendar you primarily use (iCal, Google, etc). Here’s a tutorial on how to do that.

 

 

Tools for extra peace of mind

Some hosts may initially feel hesitant to use Instant Book because they worry that they won’t have much information about potential guests before booking. You can set your preferences to offer Instant Book only to guests who have received positive reviews from other hosts, and/or guests who have government-issued IDs. You can also create a custom greeting and include important questions (for instance, “Who else will be staying with you? What’s the purpose of your trip? Can you confirm you’ve read the House Rules?) that Instant Book guests will see during their booking process. After the booking is confirmed, you can follow up to ask additional questions if needed. “I used to require reservation requests,” says host Kristine from San Francisco, “but once I realized that what I was looking for in guests (positive ratings) could be handled automatically by Airbnb, it actually made more sense for me to use Instant Book to get the benefits of more views and bookings, while maintaining the same level of guest quality I enjoyed by reviewing requests myself.”

 

 

Why you might still get booking requests

Even with Instant Book turned on, there are cases where you might receive booking requests from guests. This could happen if you haven’t updated your calendar in a while, or if you’ve recently needed to cancel a reservation. Guests who don’t meet your criteria to book instantly might also send reservation requests. For any requests that do come through, you’ll need to respond by accepting or declining the reservation, or messaging your prospective guests within 24 hours.

 

 

Why some hosts don’t use Instant Book

Despite the many benefits of Instant Book, some hosts find that reservation requests work better for them. Annie, a host in Sonoma, California, uses reservation requests because she only offers long-term stays of 30 days or more, to comply with hosting regulations in her area. “I would love to use Instant Book, but there are a lot more logistics to figure out when you’re hosting someone for that long,” she says. “It’s more like having a tenant.”

 

Nichola, a host in Guelph, Canada, has an environmental sensitivity that requires her to keep her space scent free, so she uses reservation requests to ensure that guests are willing to agree to her very specific house rules. “I get migraines from scented products so I need to make sure my guests are folks who understand scent allergies,” she says.

 

Another reason to choose booking requests rather than Instant Book might be that your space has specific qualities that you need to make sure guests understand before their stay. Examples might include a private room in a home that includes pets or children, or an extremely rustic space that might be challenging for certain guests. Booking requests can be a good choice for assuring that guests are aware of all the unique aspects of your home before they visit.

 

 

Reliability is key for using Instant Book

Whatever decision you make, remember that Airbnb has strict policies around hosts canceling reservations, because reliability is a critical part of being a great host. That said, if you allow guests to instantly book and are uncomfortable with a reservation once it’s made (for instance, because your prospective guests are asking if they can break your house rules), you can cancel a booking without penalty using the online cancellation tool up to three times per calendar year. Just know that canceling a reservation signals that Instant Book may not be a good fit for you right now, so if you do this, Airbnb may send booking requests instead for your next few reservations.

 

Want to update your settings to turn Instant Book on or off? Here’s how to do it.

203 Replies 203
Trina43
Level 2
Humboldt, KS

In regards to guests cancelation due to car trouble... 

They should need documented proof!

Has anyone tried to make a damage claim on an antique sofa? My guests punched out the side of a Martin Visser wicker/chrome sofa with their feet!!? I needed 3 kinds of proof. Before/after photos (which I had), Proof of cost/value (which I had), Receipt of purchase (it was in my family for 40 years). 

Airbnb determined it was “normal wear and tear” and denied my request. I didn’t even get a portion of the deposit. It literally was broken and clear to see from the photos.

  I believe if someone needs to cancel, they should provide proof. An accident report, a death certificate, a hospital bill... keep it FAIR Airbnb please!

Karen1627
Level 3
Kingston, Canada

I've been a host since end of Feb, and achieved SH status in the April review.  I have instant book on with the conditions of guest must have Gov ID, and reviews from past hosts.  So far so good.  Have had several guests without a face pic IB (Ex. showing their pet), so first messaged AB&B pointing out the discrepancy.  CS was totally unhelpful and told me to message guests myself.  I did so, messaged them asking to please update their photo to conform with ABB's requirements and they've all done that promptly without complaint.  

 

I usually clean right after guests leave since I'm booked almost every day so far, and to be prepared if I get a last minute booking.  After guests leave, if I'm tired or very busy and that night is vacant, I can just block it off, avoiding any chance of someone booking and arriving without me being properly prepared.  This is my job, so I need to be on top of my personal commitments, appointments and errands, and be prepared for guests booking/arriving on the same day. 

 

To address hosts that don't choose IB due to 'family comes first', yes I totally agree, so if I or my teen want to host friends, we plan ahead, pick a date, then just block those dates on my listing calendars.  

 

Also, my check in time is between 4 and 9pm.  Yes, I get requests for earlier or later, and if it doesn't inconvenience me, then yes, I can be flexible and allow it.  I also charge $10/hour for early in/late out, and nobody has balked at that charge. Only once, had an unplanned late check out, I was unhappy and upset about it, sent a request for more money and it was ignored.  

 

I've never used ABB as a guest, and I have no idea what the references to 'third party' mean (someone mentioned 'Wheelhouse'?), or the mix-ups due to calendars not being synched.  I have 2 rooms listed, plus a 3rd listing for the whole 2 room suite, and the calendars are all synched with each other.  Have only had one problem:  Guest A sent a request for the suite, I was responding, a few messages back and forth and within ONE SECOND of me confirming her booking, Guest B instant booked one of the individual room listings.  ABB's system accepted both, even though it was a double booking.  Guest A wasn't happy, despite my clear explanations of the glitch, but she did receive a full refund including all fees. 

Susan597
Level 1
Lussan, France

Yes Peggy,

I agree it is very unfair to be pushed down the listings if you don’t use instant booking. I hate instant booking and have had several examples when i was conversing with someone about dates and someone else booked with instant booking for the same dates while we chatted. They were not  amused. 

I also had someone book on instant booking with an infant even though I state my listing is not suitable for infants. Guests rarely seem to read the info about a property when they instant book.

 

I feel coerced into using instant booking however, because otherwise my property is so far down the listing I can’t even find it!

Airbnb refuse to recognize how unpopular instant booking is with hosts.

We stay away from instant book for the same reason we dislike self-check-in: for us, staying in an AirBnB is all about human contact, and the more that is done without human interaction, the less we like it. For the same reason, we are disappointed when we book an AirBnB as travelers and find that the host is absentee, presumably renting several AirBnB's as a business. This practice seems antithetical to the original idea for AirBnB -- staying in someone's home.

This practice not only SEEMS antithetical to the original idea for Airbnb, it IS antithetical to the original idea.  The corporate mega-millionaires at Airbnb have lost that original idea -- or abandoned it.  Enough money will persuade people to change.  They try to perpetuate their lofty, progressive, feel-good image with hollow language about "community" and "inclusion" -- however, their messages ring false.  They simply want the quickest way to a fast buck with the fewest complications and the least likelihood of lawsuits or bad press from guests.

Joanne155
Level 4
San Gregorio, CA

I've been hosting for over 2 years now.  I have always had the Instant Book feature on.  Honestly, I have not had any issue with the feature.  I find it helpful and convenient for me because the guest knows what dates they want.  My calendar has been synced from the beginning and there is very little back and forth.  The whole process has been seamless for me.

 

Yes, as a SuperHost, it is my responsibility to stay on top of this ~ so I do.  I can't see any issue where I have ever not wanted Instant Book.

 

Great job AirBnB!

 

 

Well said @Joanne155, I agree and have had the same experience.

Matthew296
Level 3
Manchester, United Kingdom

I also use instant book and take advantage of  the ' one day notice period' option so people can't turn up within an hours notice ( for instance)  and it works perfectly.  I'm surprised people allow guests to turn up in less that 24 hours from booking , my work / social life just make that totally impractical. 

It means I can prepare the room in advance and my own diary is rarely affected. 

I do not think it fair that homes that choose not to use IS are listed lower in the searches that's unnecessary. 

Susan14
Level 2
Redondo Beach, CA

I prefer that the guest request to book. I believe it’s my first opportunity to demonstrate that I’m extremely responsive to the needs of my guests, and my space is not like renting a hotel. Guests that don’t want any interaction with me, are probably not my targeted guest. I’m an on site  concierge available if/when my guests need me. 

Jill195
Level 3
Flagstaff, AZ

Twice this year we had emergencies with our forest fires surrounding Flagstaff, az. and as volunteer fire fighters we regret not being able to accommodate 2 different INSTANT BOOKING groups. We apologized to the 2 groups and offered them a future FREE booking at our expense. Due to the nature of our volunteer efforts in our little mountain town we realized it would behoove us to not do the INSTANT BOOKINGS at 7000 feet elevation with few resources available to all such as water!

Jodi104
Level 2
West Palm Beach, FL

Does anyone know where I can find this feature that is mentioned in the article above:  "You can also create a custom greeting and include important questions (for instance, “Who else will be staying with you? What’s the purpose of your trip? Can you confirm you’ve read the House Rules?) that Instant Book guests will see during their booking process. After the booking is confirmed, you can follow up to ask additional questions if needed."  Where can I create a custom greeting that guests will see during their booking process?  I can't seem to find the ability to do that anywhere.

@Jodi104 It is in your Booking Settings then Guest Requirements. I believe you have to have instant booking enabled to use this feature.

Much appreciated!  Found it!  Thank you!

Sadly, even though you have this in your greeting, there is no way to enforce them to follow your requests.  People don't follow rules or instructions any more.  Half the time they don't even read them.  I post my place as a no smoking place.   When I respond to the booking I remind them of the rules, including the no smoking on the premises policy.  However when they get here, I still have to reinforce that fact that they may not smoke on my property and that they are required to leave the property and go to either their car or the park across the street.

 

Patricia1307
Level 3
Springboro, PA

I have been getting booking requests even though I have Instant Book. From what I just read I guess guess might not meet criteria set, but I'm not sure what that would be as long as Airbnb allows them to book on the site. My calendar is always up to date, so I'm not sure why this is happening so often lately.