AirCover for guests

[Laura2592]

Have you all watched the latest video on the new categories and  AirCover for guests? 

"If the AC doesn't work....guests get a refund. If the host cancels a month before the stay...guests get a refund."

Basically its making it even more flexible for guests to scam. 

[Ricardo85]

@Laura2592 

It is Arbnb that will bear the reimbursement costs

Ricardo

[Laura2592]

@Ricardo85 will they though? I'm reading through the information and it looks like they will in some cases.....but not all. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Ricardo85 @Laura2592  it is much easier to refund the guest from the host's future bookings than the other way around, so of course, ABB can be very generous with refunds to guests.

[Marie6762]

@Laura2592 @@Ricardo85

Very recently I read a couple happy-host posts - maybe on the other Forum - both of which were enthusiastically reporting quick! very fair! resolution and reimbursement- yay Air Cover!!!  

We’ve all read the sad and frustrating posts from hosts trying to extract fair $ and treatment after harrowing experiences with guests.  I’m sure to be in good company when I say I’m skeptical that this will change.  After all  “fresh ideas” generating good will and enthusiasm is what AirBnb sells.  But the follow through and taking care of the details- not so much.  It sounds a lot like the gushy CS script and obligatory fawning- offering no helpful knowledge or experience. 

[Gillian166]

ha I just finished watching it and came here to see what others thought. I have to admit my first thought was
uh, who exactly is paying for the guest to be relocated?

Aircover for guests....  sounds like they are being very generous with other people's [host] money. ha! ok it's late and i'll wait for other comments to filter in before we get too paranoid. 

[Loretta126]

@Gillian166 I have the same belief.  AirCover for guests will refund the guest, but then AirBnB will go after the host for compensation. 

After all, AirCover for hosts goes after the guest first, and then only pays out if the guest doesn't pay, if they pay out at all (I haven't seen anything for my AirCover claim yet).

[Rasheda3]

It took me over a month to recieve compensation for my aircover claim. They paid out $1100 of my $3000 request to have my hardwood floors replaced after a guest brought dogs on the property. 

I had to constantly stay on them via email, sending videos multiple times and phone calls. 

@Loretta126 

[Laura2592]

@Gillian166 I looked at the categories too....

Though I am a big fan of interesting spaces, I find that most of the ABBs I have stayed at do not fit easily into any of these. I paused my listing in order to remove it (we had our last guests leave Sunday) but I wondered if other hosts are having trouble finding what fits. Do you pick these categories yourself?

I can see that being an issue for an AirCover complaint as not as advertised. "My host said Views and I can't see anything out the kitchen window. I mean the others have a view but not that one...." 

I AM heartened to see that my "Chef's Kitchen" suggestion made someone listen! Hallelujah! If we end up doing this ever again hopefully that filter helps siphon off the traveling gourmand guest contingent.

[Suzanne302]

@Laura2592  From a guest perspective, I find all those categories confusing. Is there really a demand for such specialized categories? I'm looking at it from my "working class" bubble, but it seems when ABB rolled out the high end properties feature (can't remember what they called them, but there were two different versions) that didn't last very long.

The layout of the site is just too cluttered and confusing. But maybe I'm just a simpleton, because I prefer clean, simple sites that are easy to navigate.

[Jenny]

Hi @Laura2592!

There's an algorithm that curates listings based on a number of listing factors such as titles and descriptions, and ranks them based on factors like popularity and price, so all the Host needs to do is keep their listing up to date and Airbnb will do the rest.

I mentioned in another comment that Hosts can increase the likelihood of appearing in a specific category by making sure they've selected the relevant amenity and by highlighting it with front-page worthy photos.

Hope this helps.  Let me know if you need any more information!

Jenny

[Laura2592]

@Jenny thanks Jenny! Very useful to know. 

[Stephanie365]

@Jenny  So we're supposed to trust Bots to get our listing categories correct? 
Why not just let US do it?

Furthermore, when (not if) the Bots put us in the wrong category and a guest gets their panties in a twist, they can run to AirCover, have a toddler tantrum and get an upgrade while the host gets screwed over something completely out of their control. Rather Facist if you ask me...

[Loretta126]

My listing is there, but in the wrong categories.  For instance, we're under "Amazing pools" when it's a standard 15-by-20 rectangle, but not in "Amazing views" - which we have. And the same is true of most of my neighbors with "amazing views"

@Lizzie @Stephanie @Jenny @Emilie Is there a way to correct the categories for our properties?

[Jenny]

Hi @Loretta126 - good question!

Listings are categorized using an algorithm, rather than hosts categorizing their own listings.  

I can understand why you might like to change the category as you feel that your views are more notable than your pool.  

You can increase the likelihood of appearing in a category by making sure you’ve selected the relevant amenity and by highlighting it with front-page worthy photos.  So, if you showcase those stunning St Lucia views by adding more photos without the pool in view (if it’s possible) then I would expect the amazing views to be picked up over time by the algorithm.

I hope this makes sense, but do let me know if you’ve got any other questions!

Jenny