Advice on early check in requests

[Deanna296]

 I bought the cutest cabin for $400k in 2020 after working 60+ hours a week since 2016. Found out I could build a guest house next to it and started working 90 hours a week flipping eggs and bacon at 4am and running home all greasy to day job for a few years, spent over $150k on the build. Still working 80 hours a week remote to pay it off.  Moved into guest house and air bnb main house. Cleaning it myself- no labor up here.  I’m getting great reviews but everyone loves the cabin so much 95% of my guests want to check in literally 5 hours early. Like they are so excited to get here they are trying to punch the code in 1 minute before their 5 hour early check in. It’s really starting to tax me trying to turn it faster for these early check ins. Some of them are driving from out of state and I understand but also some locals just wanna leave the city and relax longer. Same request all around. I’m a single woman and electric and firewood and other costs adding up. If I was a guest being asked to pay for extra time would not sound hospitable, but at the same time this isn’t fair to my regular guests to have to check out on time so someone else can arrive 5 hours early for free. The only way I see it- to make things fair for everyone- is to either not allow early check in or to charge like $15/hr extra. Please let me know your thoughts. 

[Shelley159]

@Deanna296 

If I could request only one modification to the Airbnb system, I would ask for a warning screen to pop up when the guest clicks "Reserve". It should read "This listing does not offer flexible check-in and check-out times. Check in is from X and check out is by Y. Would you like to proceed?"

[Michelle3861]

@Shelley159 You can now. See pre-booking message below:

Optional settings for guest requirements

All guests meet Airbnb’s booking requirements, but you’re welcome to add more at any time in your Instant Book settings:

• Good track record: completed a stay without incident or bad reviews.
• Pre-booking message: Create a preset message with questions for guests to respond to when booking

Note: You must turn on Instant Book to add guest requirements to your listing.

https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/3728

[Shelley159]

Thank you so much @Michelle3861 ! 

I see I do have my check-in time story pasted there in instant book, thanks for reminding me. I've also tweaked my wording a bit now that you've drawn my attention to it. Really appreciate your help! 👌

[Hugo990]

Hi @Deanna296,

It sounds like your cabin is a huge hit—congratulations on all the hard work! When it comes to early check-ins, it’s important to balance guest satisfaction with your own time and energy, especially considering the amount of work you’re putting in.

Here are a few approaches you could consider:

1. Set a Clear Policy: You can limit early check-ins entirely or allow them for a fee (e.g., $15/hour). This not only covers extra costs like cleaning, electricity, and firewood but also compensates for the additional work you're doing to prepare the cabin earlier. Guests will understand that it's a fair way to accommodate everyone.

2. Offer Flexibility for a Price: If you decide to allow early check-ins for those who request it, make sure to clearly communicate the fee in your listing or when guests inquire. This can be positioned as an extra service that requires an additional charge due to the extra effort and cost involved.

3. Automate Early Check-In Requests: You can add an automated message to your booking process that outlines your check-in policy, including the availability and cost of early check-ins. This can set expectations upfront and reduce the number of surprise requests.

4. Communicate the Benefit: Frame it as a way to ensure the space is perfectly clean and ready for their stay. Explain that the extra time needed for regular check-out is to provide the best experience for all guests, and offering early check-ins without a fee wouldn’t allow you to maintain the same quality.

Implementing a small fee for early check-ins helps manage the extra workload and balances things fairly between guests, while also giving those who need flexibility an option. It’s important to protect your time and energy, especially given how much you’ve put into making your cabin such a success!

[Craig497]

Hi @Deanna296 

I also have been trying to balance management of early check-ins. I like your proposal of $15/Hr.

As it gives the Guests a way to understand the Costs of such an "Extra" service.

I have also seen other Hosts set a threshold, for example: 

1. If the stay is more than 5-nights, they will accommodate early check-in requests.

2. If the stay is more than $1,500.00 they will accommodate the early check-in requests.

Outside of those parameters, Early check in was 1/2 of the normal cleaning fee ($50.00) Same applies for late check-out requests.

Kind Regards,

Craig Nixon

[Deanna296]

Love this idea Craig thank you! Yes running around for these young 1-2 day renters who don’t appreciate the favor is not serving my business well! 

[Paula]

Hi @Deanna296, I am tagging @Craig497 here so they receive a notification of your message. This way, we increase the chances of them getting back to us.

Quick tip: To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu 😊

[Kenchy0]

I wonder if there's a way to charge extra for early check-in?

[Michelle3861]

I can see two options;

1. How long does it take you to clean? An hour? You could increase your nightly rate, make check in early as your official time ...say 11am? You immediately give yourself a competitive advantage over other Airbnbs in the area and can justifiably charge more. You have the work ethic to make it happen, and the luxury of not having to ask a cleaner if it is okay. And your check out time is say... 10am, no exceptions. Or you could do the reverse? It doesn't leave much of a buffer, but it is do-able for someone like you, who has the motivation and smarts to work several jobs to better their financial position. 

2. Alternatively, and this may not be ideal,  you could keep your existing times, but pop a reasonable extra charge on for early check-in, available in limited slots (for you , this is depending on having no guests the night before), write it into the description, write it into your "on booking" message that goes out, saying that is occasionally something you are happy to offer. However to do so means getting your cleaning lady there early (they don't know), and that has associated costs. We are more than happy if possible and can arrange a quick payment through the Airbnb resolution centre etc etc...as long as you know you won't be charmed out of the charge by some keen beans. 

This way you show there is a justification for the extra charge. Someone has to get up and go to work early and will charge $50 for it, that person being you.  Guests love cleanliness and respect the cleaner.  I wonder how many guests will stop requesting it after they read their "on booking" message and see it costs $50. Guests like bonuses and free upgrades, but consumers will also pay more into an upfront, single cost if they perceive they are getting something better or more luxurious than others, and for that reason I like option 1.

Hope this helps

[Diane1465]

A one hour early check-in is reasonable, five hours is not. You can just tell guest no to their request or you can implement a fee for early check-in. Still, a 5 hour early check in is creating stress to you, you should not allow it, one or two hours but not 5.  

[Deanna296]

Literally a guest from TX just showed up at 11am ish in my driveway asking if it was ready yet. Check in time is 4pm. This is getting ridiculous. 

[Muslim4]

@Deanna296 Do you meet them in person?

Five hours is too much. I usually allow a couple of hours for early/late check-ins for free, then charge $8 per each extra hour. I agree with Hugo - there should be clear rules: check-in & check-out intervals, enough time to prepare for next guest, and extra fee if you want to set it.