Officially introducing the members of Airbnb’s Host Advisory Board

[#1]

*Posted live: December 16th

Today, we’re excited to share a video officially introducing the members of Airbnb’s Host Advisory Board.

As we recently announced, Airbnb is launching a formal program to give hosts a seat at the table. The Host Advisory Board is a group of selected hosts that will not only keep the community informed, but share your feedback directly with Airbnb leadership.  The board will also help inform how  the Airbnb Host Endowment is invested in the community, and influence policies, programs, and new products.

These 17 selected hosts were chosen for their passion, their contributions to the hosting community, and their desire to create a better future for all hosts—among other criteria. Together, they’ve hosted more than 15,000 guests with a combined total of 86 years of hosting experience and an average star rating of 4.9!

*To add or change subtitles to the video, hover over the video and click on the little 'Settings' wheel in the bottom right corner. Then click 'Subtitle/CC' and select your language. 

Watch the video above to meet the community members serving on the board and learn about their individual passions and experience. To find out more about how the board will work together to advocate for the community, check out the latest Host Update article featuring our Head of Hosting, Catherine Powell.

Do keep your eyes peeled here in the Community Center as we will be introducing the board members in the new year. There will be regular opportunities for our new board members to respond to your questions and address important topics.

[Fran2]

Probably for too late in getting an answer, the phone number is 02 8520 3333 and there’s no guarantee on getting local support.

try Twitter,  @AirbnbHelp  there seems to be someone manning the site.

[Marilyn337]

I have been a very flexible host during this whole Covid pandemic and changed my cancellation policy to flexible.  I'd rather have folks book and feel they can cancel because of changing pandemic conditions and travel/local restrictions.  This has worked out well especially since most bookings this year have been impromptu getaways for social distanced hiking and outdoor activities. No big deal.  Now I am getting lots more advanced booking folks canceling last minute because "there is no snow" for snowshoeing and x-country skiing" even though the alpine resorts have skiing.   I would like to see more flexibility and options in cancellation settings to account for this.  Flexible, Moderate and Strict need some addtional options between Moderate and Strict.  I also would like to know if a guest can rebook in same area if they have canceled and fully refunded and then rebooked with someone else cause prices have gone down because of upturn in cancelations in an area?

[Jeremy-And-Rachel0]

I am with you here.  I have had the last three days cancelled three times to be filled at the last moment.  New cancelled today booked again a few hours later. 

[Marilyn337]

Wish I could fill the bookings last minute but I always have to check with my cleaner's schedule which is why I don't instant book.  Also believe the personal connection through email can do wonders to set expectations on guest behavior.  Easier to be a bad guest when there is little communication with host and they view your place as a hotel rather than a home.

Also once you lose booking you don't seem to fill it when seasonal and weather isn't seasonal the whole area takes a downturn so what was once a full calendar now becomes empty.  With flexible scheduling there is no way to recoup any $$.  Learning my lesson with this.

[Katie]

Hi @Marilyn337, welcome to the Community Center, and thanks for your feedback here. Do you have any suggestions on what kinds of conditions you would like the in-between options for the cancellation policies to have? 

[JaNice118]

Congratulations on being selected to serve! I have one request - please get a pet fee added to our options for additional fees! It is so frustrating to have to bill this fee separately and it is an unnecessary waste of my time and that of my guest. If we can add a fee for extra guests why can't we have a line on the charges for pets? It would also allow AirBNB to track the number of pets that are staying world wide, which is a pretty cool statistic for our growing company! 

[Stephen1120]

Maybe you can actually HELP YOUR HOSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's the story. My cleaner shows up at 10:00am immediately upon check out. She notifies me of damage to my favorite piece of furniture - a one of a kind green velvet bench. I contact the guest. The guest says the bench was in perfect condition when they arrived, but did not damage it. "It must have been my cleaner."

The next guest is checking in at 5:00pm that day even though my check in time is 4:00pm. I quickly run to the house after work to see it for myself and take photos. I call airbnb at 4:30pm to report the damage. He tells me it will all be ok. The next guest arrives and I show them the damage to make sure they know it was not them. 

At 6:00pm I submit my resolution center request with a ton of evidence. 

3 days later airbnb rejects my claim because I "submitted it too late." Claims must be submitted before the next guest checks in. I made the phone call 30 minutes late and now they are not compensating me for the damages under the guarantee. I was there when the next guest arrived and they even confirmed that for airbnb. Airbnb did not care.  How is this possible? Why don't they care about hosts? I am out hundreds of dollars now. Disturbing. 

[Kade3]

Re: Christopher Lehane "Senior Vice President for Global Policy and Communications".

Airbnb-letter-on-vaccine-distribution-22-Jan-2021.pdf

What is the prevalence of COVID-19 in rural areas? Does your proposal inadvertently attract non-essential travel to "healthcare deserts" potentially increasing spread of COVID-19 or potentially violating state law for travel?

In your letter, my interpretation is that you conflate multiple issues. It appears opportunistic. As an AirBnB San Francisco lawyer I would posit that you are not in a position to represent rural America, rural AirBnB hosts, or the people who reside in so called "healthcare desserts". Also, please control yourself if you did not intend to represent the expertise and guidance of public health officials or healthcare providers. 

Sincerely, 

Kade

[Kade3]

Chris Lehane - Wikipedia

Please review the bio of our "Senior Vice President for Global Policy and Communications".

AirBnB is awesome. I would hope that we (property owners, guests, company) could aim to rise above politics.  I personally would prefer to list my property on a platform that is not affiliated with politicians in general, in particular partisan officials.