Airbnb option not grammatically correct!!...

[Christine1759]

So,in the category of 'guest safety' (which is right under accessibility), then under 'safety considerations', the very first option is  'UNsuitable for children 2-12'...with the 2 options of an x or check mark (to the right of it). The 2nd option 'UNsuitable for infants under 2' same thing.

Well,I clicked on the check mark since I'm agreeing!! It IS UNsuitable for children 2-12!!  Now airbnb is telling me I should've chose the 'x'. !! What? An 'x' would've meant I DON'T  agree with that statement!

As a result,they got me on that when someone booked with an infant but I didn't know it until she showed up! So airbnb canceled them  & won't compensate me in any way for a 3 day booking that got cancelled because of them.

They really need to change that!

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Christine1759 Think you may have been misinformed. Even checking the tick for unsuitable does not stop people booking with children. 

[Christine1759]

that was the thing also...that guest only wrote for 1 adult;didn't mention her baby. That s where this whole thing started.she was brand new,so maybe it was an oversight on her part  (doubt it),but Even giving her the benefit of the doubt  my listing should have never been an option for her to even look at! Bc it was in the house manual!  But they over rided it... that's what I'm also most passed about! I'm escaping the case & want a higher up to review the case. Any suggestions for another platform? It's too bad for them.im a 4.9 superhost,but I'm ready to look elsewhere....

Also,they used to be more generous not too long ago...

[Debra300]

@Christine1759,

The Airbnb search and booking criteria doesn't differentiate between types of guests in reference to adults and children, and only considers the the total guest count.  Even if your listing correctly states that it's unsuitable for children and a guest includes children in their guest count, the will still appear in search results if its calendar is open during the specified period.  As part of Airbnb's inclusion policy, it puts the onus on the host and guest to cancel these reservations after finding out about the poor fit, instead of respecting people's team and saving them from unnecessary frustration by preventing the inappropriate booking in the first place.

[Christine1759]

What? So the guest has to say 2 people are staying even if the other person is a child?? Is that what you're saying? 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Christine1759 In the case of your listing, as it only accepts 1 person the maximum it can take is 1 adult and 5 infants. Beings under 2 do not count as people or children in Airbnb land.

As long as the guest booked their infant in with you just stating they are not allowed in your rules is not going to save you when they turn up.

[Christine1759]

So are you saying that when she booked with her infant comma she did not have to include the infant in that initial page when requesting? 

Otherwise, what is the point of having your house rules if they're going to be overridden by airbnb and THEIR rules...? Like what's the point of asking...! It seems like and sounds like it's all about air B&B. And then you're left on your own, and possibly at risk, to defend/protect yourself. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Christine1759 the guest should have booked with 1 adult and 1 infant. The host only has the ability to say a place is unsuitable for infants (or children) and not that they are banned. I assume this is due to discrimination legislation in some countries and Airbnb's desire to be inclusive to all guests. 

[Christine1759]

yes, i get that. so airbnb is covering **themselves, but it still leaves the host in a weird position, especially int he case like mine,where she showed up to my house,and now that she knows where i live, it makes it a weird position for me. airbnb asked if i wanted to refund her $ and of course i said yes...who wouldn't?...

**[Content updated inline with the Community Center Guidelines- Please be respectful in your discussions  in Community Center]

[Debra300]

Yes and no.  As @Mike-And-Jane0 has stated, guests under the age of 2 are not included in the total guest count.  However, each person who will reside in the rental needs to be listed in the total guest count, and the guest should inform you if they are bringing an infant, because the property may have real safety hazards or restrictions for the infant.  

The Airbnb search system does not filter out listings that do not accepts children or infants, and will show those types of listings even when children are included in the search criteria.  I did a search of Atlanta for 1 adult, 1 child and 1 infant, and then zoomed into Mableton where my place is located,

 and it was in the search returns.

The search didn't consider the infant in the total guest as proven that two guests is our max, and three guest types were selected for the search.

Plus, it didn't exclude our listing despite "Not suitable for children and infants" is listed as the first item under Safety & property.

At least a few times a year, we receive bookings with messages from the guest stating that they and their children will be staying, and I have to point out that we don't accept children under the age of 12.  This whole process is disappointing, frustrating and time consuming/wasting for both guests and hosts. 

[Helen744]

@Christine1759 It is not a yes or no statement it is x means No... H

[Bhumika]

Hi @Christine1759, Would it be possible for you to share a screenshot about this one along with the reservation number, so that I can request the tech team to have a closer look and ask for guidance?

[Costa317]

Thank you so much for pointing out this! I had the same doubt about it (tick or x). So, if it is NOT suitable I should click the 'X'. 

FOR SURE this is airbnb's mistake!

[Joelle43]

Hello @Costa317 

So yes, if you tick the X, this indicates to guests that your place is not suitable for kids in one or both of the age categories that Airbnb allow you to choose from.  You might think that this means that you won't get bookings or enquiries from parents wanting to stay with their kids.  WRONG!

Just Beware that Airbnb will still throw up your listing to parents and you will be placed in the uncomfortable position of having to explain that for X reason, you  have indicated that your place is not a good fit for young kids, something they may have overlooked or considered that this is discrimination but in some countries it is perfectly legal to put an age limit for Short Term Rentals.  This makes you as a host feel bad (unnecessarily)  the guests are cross and Airbnb doesn't come out well either.  

I cannot understand the logic behind this - why put hosts in this position at all if we have correctly ticked the X box??  There are thousands of places that ARE kid friendly so why waste everyone's time in offering places there AERN'T?  

OK rant over but this is an on going issue that merits constant feedback from me but to no avail.  So just beware that even if you have ticked the boxes, it doesn't mean you won't get parents wanting to stay with their children.  

This is the exact reason why I do not have IB switched on so that I can check with guests before hand the age of any children they are thinking of bringing.  I have put that children are welcome from 12 years old in my description and House Rules and always ask the age of children before accepting a reservation.

All the best
Joëlle

P.S  Please also bear in mind that parents can tick up to, not 1 but 5 babies at no extra charge!  They don't count in the maximum capacity for your listing!