3rd party booking guest won't reply to my messages

[Kristy54]

I had a guest book for 3 nights. She has 3 good reviews. As we are conversing on Airbnb messaging she replied with a different name. I believe it is a third party booking. I told her she needs to be in  touch with me and she will not reply. Suggestions? 

[Yadira22]

Hi @Kristy54 

I am so sorry this happened. If it was an instant booking would suggest you get into contact with Airbnb and ask them to cancel penalty free as it’s a third party booking and goes against their own terms of service! 
good luck to you. 
yadira 🙂

[Linda108]

If it is important to you to save this booking, then message the guest with your concern and see what the response is.  Give a time limit for response. This will strengthen you cancellation if needed.

[Juan63]

3rd party bookings are not allowed on Airbnb and I would advise not to take them if that's the case. But, they may not be responding because they don't get notifications or they don't have the app on their phone. Try texting them. This has happened to me a few times.

[Rowena29]

or the other possbility is @Kristy54 that the name of the guests profile is not her actual name. ( it doesn't have to be. she can call herself Donald Duck on her profile if she likes and have a pic to match, so long as the photo ID she provides for GOVERNMENT  VERIFICATION matches the name and photo on her ID. that's why some hosts dont' rely on the platform profile but ask to see photo ID at checkin)

so it may not necessarily be a 3rd party booking but I can see why you'd be alerted. I tend to agree with @Linda108,THEN if you get no response or satisfactory answer, ring Cs and get them to cancel or at least find out more.

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Kristy54 @Rowena29 @Juan63 @Linda108 @Yadira22 have airbnb make contact and establish whether it is a third party booking.

They are not allowed and you won't be covered by the "host guarantee".

[Rowena29]

The thing is @Mike-And-Helen0 I wonder if Cs can tell? They dont' hold the government ID verifications they're held by a 3rd party.  Since the profile name can be anything at all and doesn't have to be the same as the government ID name, how would Cs have a clue I wonder?

Iv'e had a couple of 3rd party bookings and CS have told me they don't 'mind if I don't mind. And Homeaway who I also use DOES allow 3rd party bookings. As the host guarantee sounds practically useless anyway and since I have pretty decent landlords insurance, I  go with the guest if I get a good vibe from them.  I make sure I fulfil my insurer requirements - full legal name, sight ID to verify adn I'm good to go.  Far more reliable than relying on  airbnb saying the guest has been verified .IMO  For me personally ( and I realise different people will feel differently) it depends on the who and the why of the 3rd party booking. i recently had a young man book as a surprise for his parents for example adn they were terrific.     But if I thought it were 3rd party for another 8 people I'd be highly suspicious ( suggests party - minors)

[Kristy54]

Thanks for all of your input! The guest did message me back, She gave me her full name. The name listed on her profile is her first name. It's on her I.D. But she goes by her middle name. All is well, although I don't allow 3rd party bookings.  I had a rather uncomfortable, and even potentially dangerous situation with one. It's not worth it to take a chance for me. 

[Kristy54]

What do the different levels mean by the way?

[Sarah977]

@Kristy54 The levels only have to do with how much you engage in these forums and how many thumbs up you get. They don't really mean anything, it's just some social media type thing that's supposed to make us feel good, I think 🙂 They certainly don't mean a host is more experienced, or some kind of expert, and they don't have anything to do with your actual hosting account or your listing.