Dear Airbnb,
thanks for starting a discussion on Superhost rewards.
I have to agree that as a host no matter how super, I would like it get some an answer if I have questions (which usually works great). I like the $100 voucher and think it is a "win-win" as for you it is much better than "real $ 100" and for me its a nice treat even though I might book something in total for more than $ 100.
On the Potography deal - I know what a real professional potographer costs - and I would rather book him if I would want my flat to look like "wow". I however want my guests to get a "real" view of what they will buy. So I took some honest - but still positive shaped pictures. I think however e.g. me taking pictures of someone elses house with a profi camera isn't worth it, so I wouldn't choose it.
As its close to christmas - what do I wish from Airbnb: Do not take too much money from my guests. If I enter a price in the calendar - its not the final price - its a "fake price", because you will add a charge to my guest which I will not see at that time and you will even deduct some dollars from that price I see as another charge from me. I know its your business model to take money from both, but it seems a little greedy if it is more than $5 and its reasonably more. Because not you are providing a service - its me. You only arrange for the "match".
Some years ago, that "match" was more special to me. The people were expecting more of a home place and not a "serviced appartment". Nowadays, as many more people use airbnb that spirit gets lost more and more.
My guests than rates me on that service on a scale you provide and seem to like it. Still, I think a) the scale is a little uneven - I can't rate the guest in the same ways, he rates my flat. Was he as good looking as on the picture? fun to interact with? did he have 1000 special requests (which I most probably happily solved, but probably next time I would not want to have him again, even though in general I would recommend him to another host, as he will not steal the furniture or make a party in the house) ? did he even bring a host gift? (or what should I expect from a 5-Star-Guest?) For the flat the rating seems much more important than for him as a guest? Why is that? Couldn't I also choose guests because they are "real 5 Star guests" - or at least give some an incentive to become more of a 5 star guest?
On the rating for the flat - please tell the hosts that you are asking the guests for the feedback. I made a checklist that I will tell every guest where he finds all the stuff you ask for (shampoo, soap, towels, etc.). At my place it would be obvious to find them, but I don't want any smartass to rate me 4 Stars because he doesn't remember or I just didn't tell him that "of course" the soap close to the lavatory tap he can use. Also please help me and the guests with the definitions - whats 4 star compared to 5 star. And that less than 4 stars is a really really bad ranting (at least for me as a superhost). I sometimes have the feeling that the ratings have a cultural dimension - type a rates always 5 stars, type b can be very picky.
I want to address some thoughts on me as a potential guest as well: If I book a trip, I sometimes compare to Booking - where I also get a priceoff as a "frequent user" and even cashback from other sources. I don't get these things in Airbnb - which is the main reason for not booking airbnbs if I don't. Is Airbnb to greedy to participate in such programs?
More and more "stylish places" are popping up on airbnb - so instead of an "airbed and breakfast", it becomes rather like "secret escapes". Upside: Cooler places. Downsite: The personal touch and the "home" feeling is lost. Fear: "Usual place owners" like me might become unattractive for Airbnb/cannot "compete" with superfancy lofts/castles/islands.
Further: If I own a "for rent only property" - I would be kind of a hostel/hotel. So anyone on e.g. Booking could also just pick my phone number or google my page and just contact me to ask for my "non airbnb" rate. Airbnb wouldn't get a cent. - A "hotel professional" doesn't necessarily need a plattform like airbnb - there are plenty others out there already where the loft/castle/island maybe is also placed. A sharing economy friend like me however would like to have airbnb as a plattform rather than the others.
Unlike some other superhosts, I like to book out my very central place for the "highest amount of money", not "most of the time". I have the feeling, that Airbnb dillutes prices in my area as other hosts who might follow the airbnb recommendations usually start with lower rates. There are actually no days where airbnb would recommend to me to rise prices, even though there are e.g. big UN events in my city and anyone would know the entire hotels in the city are already booked and prices are up quite much. Or also around the carnival time - no suggestion to rise the prices ... why not? Hotels will cost much much more or just not be available any more.
My last questions
- How does the "level" system for Superhosts work here?
- Will differentiation in superhosts come? (bronze/silver/gold superhost? based on performance parameters? - if yes, please at least get me some royalties for the idea, even though I might hate the implementation)
I hope my feedback helps and I wish you a great morning/day/evening - depending on which part of the world you are.
Yours, Stefan
In case you want to discuss this any further feel free to contact me. I would be happy to consult you professionally (starting at a get-to-know rate of $ 1000 per day basis). Looking forward 🙂
