where has the option to make a date unavailable gone?

[Tim-and-Sue2]

One of the great things about airbnb, which I have been a member for a number of years is the ability to operate the system directly from my phone. However, changes recently have made this incredibly difficult and I am getting very little support in how to manage.

 We used to have the facility for only opening three months at a time (this is still there obs) and dates further on in time to have the option to make them unavailable. Someone in their wisdom has decided to remove this facility and dates beyond the three months now only have open or blocked as an option.

 I certainly need to be able to block dates off because we go away on holiday and we make sure that the property remains empty whilst we are gone. Anyone else had this problem? 

[Joan2709]

Hi @Tim-and-Sue2 

Yes...since the new release, you will have to choose "unavailable by default" in your calendar availability settings. Then go in manually and open dates you wish to. 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Tim-and-Sue2 , Hope Joan's suggestion has helped you with the work-around! Have you managed to resolve this after following this tip?

Keep us posted if you still need any help with this one!

[Tim-and-Sue2]

honestly, we shouldn’t need a workaround, we should have the facility to actually manage the site in a realistic way. We only have to go back a few months to the way it works before.

I have to say I’m rather fed up with the attitude  of airbnb of get on with it!!! 

[Tim-and-Sue2]

no, sadly this has not resolved the problem. Having a system where you can open three months in advance suits us very nicely: having to go back now and manually adjust opening dates is just ridiculous.

Why? Oh why do airbnb not listen?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Tim-and-Sue2 switch on pro tools from your account and then you have 3 options in the multi-calendar view that will allow you to block a date before it becomes available

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

@Tim-and-Sue2 

@Mike-And-Jane0  figured this one out! The easier way to do this now (and without all the blocking/unblocking using Unavailable by Default), is to use Pro Tools and the Multicalendar. This will allow you to choose a date outside your booking window of 3months and block it. That functionality isn't available on the standard calendar any more. All Hosts can use Pro Tools now (previously you were required to have 6 or more listings). Even if you only have one listing you can use Pro Tools (the Help Articles haven't been updated yet). 

Here is the Community Guide on how to use Pro Tools and the multicalendar with screen shots:

How to Turn on & Use Pro Tools & Multicalendar:

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

Here is how the multicalendar shows availability, even past your booking window. You can  block a date outside your window:

Multicalendar - You can block a date outside your booking window

[Tim-and-Sue2]

yes, this was suggested earlier today and I have been onto the computer and have selected the ProTools. The ability to do this on my phone is no longer available sadly, but at least I can still block dates well in advance which is very important to manage the property.

I’m still incredibly irritated that I cannot manage everything from my phone as I used to. Progress I guess.

I just wish airbnb would stop messing around with beta updates. I much prefer to be able to manage my property remotely, wherever I am in the world without having to carry around a laptop.