Do you upsell any extra services?

[Liv]

Hey everyone, 

A few Hosts have been experimenting with selling extra amenities and services to guests - apart from the stay itself. This got me thinking and I’m curious to know if any of you have ever tried or thought about doing something similar.

It could be an optional meal that you cook yourself, a ride to the airport that you charge for separately or perhaps some paintings made by a local artist.

Either way, I’d love to learn more about extras you might offer guests. Do you upsell anything in your listing? How do you advertise it to guests?

Thanks,

Liv

[Gina-And-Jose-0]

Many people don't realize that its not cost free to host other people in our homes,  every thing goes up, electricity,  water costs, food costs,  and toilet paper is not free either nor the products to constantly clean things.  You are right to request some financial  compensation for Extras.  In my opinion .  

[Mary4634]

Or you can say no. I had two guests staying for three nights. I provide one set of towels per guest. On the second afternoon, the gentleman asked for fresh set of towels for in the morning. I said no. (While thinking to myself ‘I’m not a hotel Mr. and you’re asking me to add another load of laundry to my already loaded week of laundry?’ No thank you!) but I said it in a nice way. Plus his wife was like no no no we do not need another set of towels.

[Danny21]

The only services I upsell are early check-in and snacks/light breakfasts.

The only complication is how guests pay for it in advance. I won't use airbnb to process the payment by amending the booking so it's balancing an alternative vs ease.

The other thing is, I work very long days and I don't need the extra hassle of organising/procuring extras outside of what I already offer. 

[Kate2008]

Hi everyone. When my new Airbnb comes online I’m going to be using my products, shampoo, conditioner, creams, skincare, toothpaste that I decant into little bottles and people can then buy the full size bottles. 
I also have specialist skincare products that help things like eczema and other health conditions. 
as people are looking for more natural products I’m hoping this will help them and also build the relationship because they will contact me for more products. 
Kate based in Cornwall

[Heri4240]

We are managing a holiday rental, so airport transport, scooter rental, local massages, a mini bar with beverage and car with driver for wholeday trips are more than welcome for our guests. We are generally cheaper than public services and there is no need to spend  holidays time for organising. We will arrange all, the guests just enjoy.

We are also offering instagramable possibilities, like floating breakfast or summer hygge picnic in the tropical garden as people are crazy about those activities during their holidays.

Do not push anybody, we have this information in digital guest book and in airbnb listings as well.

[Владимир46]

Good day
Basic services are free. Additional services - I can recommend: how quickly, where it tastes better, where it is cheaper, and the choice is up to the client.
When he makes a request, I don’t refuse, but I don’t want to be annoying either.
Good luck. 
Vladimir.

[Ina25702]

@Ina25702  I leave free bottled water, tea, coffee and sugar for guests. They can also use the washing machine free of charge. Since my clients are middle class people, I don’t think you should offer them anything more for an additional fee, they are usually economical.

[Gina-And-Jose-0]

W E  DO NOT CHARGE FOR ANY EXTRA PERKS  WE OFFER  our guests.  The nicer and more considerate our guests are, the more we may offer extras.  Example :   one guest was working nights 7 to 7 pm  , a lone young girl, so I let her use my personal car to drive to and from only asking her to put gas in it .  She was so grateful and happy to be safe , to have safe transportation to go to work.    I also gave her my AAA card in case she should have some vehicle brake down .  I know she has a glowing impression of us and of AirBnb . We have made some friends for life  and  made our own world more interesting.  Some guests have offered to help with stuff around the house in return.  Nice and friendly to host for a Home Share.  Gina and  Jose 

[Maulik3]

Our guests who stayed for a month wanted me to arrange Yoga, massages, sitters, cleaning, cooks and restaurant reservations. I set all of this up, but did not upswell. They paid directly for these services to the individuals, I did not charge a commission.

I want to start offering Airbnb experiences, as this went really well!

[Mary4634]

I cannot imagine providing those time-consuming concierge services without a cost. You are an absolute saint.

[Bob-And-Janet0]

No upwelling but I do my best to provide as much information as possible to local vendors, fairs, concerts and local activities. It’s unfortunate that AirBnB makes this difficult by not allowing us to post web sites that would help their guest customers possibly enjoy their stay more. 

[Mary996]

@Bob-And-Janet0

Make links available on arrival? 

[Mary4634]

I have considered offering additional amenities for added costs but do not know how to make that happen through my listing. Would the protocol be to offer it to guests and if guests say yes then they pay you with whatever means you would accept? 

Seems complicated with too much back-and-forth. I would prefer to be able to make that happen through the Airbnb app. Where I could add amenities an Airbnb could charge guess on my behalf and take a small percentage.

[Craig666]

We don't upsell anything - all of the snacks and things in the bnb are free to the guest.  

We did stay at a bnb where the host had some free items, and others were an "honor system" fee.  I wasn't put off by it, and her intentions were friendly - offering small meals to travelers who arrive late, or if there was bad weather.  My only issue was the items she offered: ramen, granola bars, etc... kind of cheap stuff that I would just offer to guests.  If I was going to ask for payment, I'd probably have something a bit nicer, but to each his own!

[Lise-Lotte0]

I think we all see our Airbnb guests as guests of the house and like to give them the same feeling of being welcome, which we give the private friends who visit us.
Hence, I expand my presentation of my guesthouse, offering my guests quality take-away food and beverages, as well as ingredients for the breakfast the first morning, ready in the house. Though in my house presentation, I miss the possibility of giving, my guests a link to a homepage providing them with information about what to choose between and prices.  Not to “get anything out of the guest except a booking”, but to make my guest feel welcomed.
I can tell the family having travelled with small children all day, arriving in a house in the countryside late afternoon, appreciate the feeling of being welcomed to a cozy warm or cooled house - and an almost ready meal in the fridge.
A service like this may be expanded with further options, all offering the guests the privacy of a guesthouse or rented flat, combined with hotel amenities.