Blocking forward calendar dates currently unavailable

[Hugh11]

Hi, As a host in the past I used to be able to block off nights in the AirBnB calendar even if those nights were currently unavailable for booking by guests (due me setting a forward booking window of 3 months), but it seems now the calendar doesn't enable me to do that ie. every day a further day opens up automatically as the 3-month booking window advances each day - thus allowing guests to book those days as they open up. Is there a way to block certain nights in the calendar even if those dates are currently unavailable for booking due to those dates being beyond the booking window ? With thanks, Hugh 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Hugh11 Yes there is. Switch on pro tools from your account and then in the 'strip' calendar you will get three options for dates past your booking window.  @Joan2709  might show how this is done using her cut and paste skills.

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Hugh11 

This has been an on-going issue since the Summer 2023 release. @Mike-And-Jane0 found the best solution for this problem is to turn on Pro Tools and use the multicalendar to block/unblock dates. You can only use the multicalendar on a computer; not the app on your cell phone. Here is a previous thread about the same issue:

Blocking Future Dates

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Ask-about-your-listing/How-to-block-future-dates/m-p/1817968#M38...

Here is how to turn on Pro Tools and use the multicalendar:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/GUIDE-Use-Pro-Tools-to-Set-Calendar-Custom-Pric...

Here is what your screen will look like in the right panel when using the multicalendar to block/unblock future dates:

Hope this helps! Let us know here if it works for you!

[Hugh11]

@Joan2709   and   @Mike-And-Jane0   

Thanks so much for that. I'll go in and do that as it was getting so frustrating having to go into the AirBnB calendar every few days just to block off dates as they were opening up automatically (risking my host status if someone booked and then needed me to cancel their booking). Cheers, Hugh 

[Zoe463]

Hi there, i cannot seem to get it to work. I want to make my property available from April to June 2024 and i cannot get just those dates to become open in my calendar. 

[Sophia]

Hey @Zoe463, 

I'm just tagging one of our lovely hosts @Joan2709 who may be able to provide some advice 😊

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Zoe463 I would set the calendar to unavailable by default and then you should be able to open these months.

[Zoe463]

Unfortunately I have tried this and it still is not working 😥

[Joan2709]

Hi @Zoe463 

Have you tried turning on Pro Tools and using the multi-calendar to unblock your dates as mentioned in post to @Hugh11 ?

Blocking Future Dates

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Ask-about-your-listing/How-to-block-future-dates/m-p/1817968#M38...

Here is how to turn on Pro Tools and use the multicalendar:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/GUIDE-Use-Pro-Tools-to-Set-Calendar-Custom-Pric...

[Zoe463]

hi Joan, yes I did, I’ll give it another try today 😀

[Joan2709]

Ok @Zoe463, be sure your listing shows “active” on the top. It would also help if you post a screen shot of the calendar you are trying to unblock. I would do this on a computer; not the app.

Also, what do you show as your calendar availability? Can you post a screen shot of that?

[Zoe463]

Appreciate your help - new to all this 😀So all t he dates from this month are all crossed out and unavailable. I would only like to make 8 April to 23 June 2024 available at this time.

[Zoe463]

I think i may of somehow magically got it after 1000x attempts 😂

[Zoe463]

Nope it showed as available for a few minutes once it was refreshed it went back to blocked.

[Joan2709]

@Zoe463 

Just looked at your profile and it still says "Guest." If you haven't published your listing yet, it won't have ANY dates available. When your listing has been published the top of your screen would show like this:

It sometimes takes 24-48 hours after you publish before your listing appears in guest searches.  

If it DOES say listed at the top of your host page, then something is not set right that is preventing your calendar from opening up. Sometimes there is a problem with your legal address/location or local restrictions for short term rentals (need a registration number, etc.) You will have to contact Airbnb to resolve this.

Some Cautions - New Host Help Articles BEFORE Publishing

Many sections of your listing are not available until you publish it. I strongly advise you read the following Help articles  BEFORE you publish your listing. Once you hit "publish" I would go in and immediately turn off Instant Book until you finish setting up your listing. This will prevent anyone from instantly booking until you have everything the way you want it. I would still keep Instant Book OFF until you get a few guests through and you get the hang of it. I would also change your Calendar Availability to "unavailable by default" until you are ready to open up dates.

Understanding your new listing settings before you publish

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3107 

How to Setup an Effective Listing Page

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/how-to-set-up-an-effective-listing-page-12

Get Help with Your Listing from a Superhost

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3011#section-heading-0-0

Informing Guests About Security Devices

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2914

Airbnb automatically defaults some of your settings after you publish. You may wish to change these settings before accepting guests. Some defaulted settings include:

• Instant Book is ON – (I would immediately turn this OFF)
• Calendar open 12 months – (I would change this)

After you are satisfied with your listing, you can change your calendar availability and open up dates for bookings. I would suggest a new host should not have instant book on at first. This allows you to screen guests before accepting reservations and get comfortable with the process.

Hope this helps!  Let us know here how it goes!