Hello again Catherine, I just watched your video from earlier this month, I think you are on the right track. I am a SuperHost, currently with 2 Plus properties and a yacht on the platform.
However, would you please address the issues of allowing guests to cancel for extenuating circumstances.
I literally have lost thousands of dollars annually for the last several years. Namely related to weather, and more recently Covid.
I have two condos at a ski resort in Colorado. Snow is a great thing, except when there is too much and it disrupts travel. AirBNB has refunded guests multiple times due to weather.
I have had AirBNB refund guests for health related issues, not with the guest themselves...and not because of a death. The extenuating circumstances were questionable.
And of course Covid. at the end of ski season, I lost about $10k in bookings that AirBNB refunded. I did get a little over $1,000 back. Then the county was closed down until June 1st. A big hit financially.
People should purchase travel insurance. I travel a lot, all over the world. I buy travel insurance...it makes sense. And this could be a business for AirBNB, offer it! Even if it just broke even, it would go a long way for good will with hosts and guests.
So here is an example, over Christmas, one of my condos rents for $450/night plus AirBNB fees and taxes. It is rented to 10 days. If there is a blizzard in Colorado that keeps my guests from arriving, I will have lost a lot of money. Would the Marriott refund their money? I don't think so.
If the county closes down again because of Covid, I guess you will be doing the same thing again. Which concerns me.
Please give this serious consideration.