Hosting refugees at a discounted rate – possible or impossible?

[Patricia55]

Hi all, I've been going round in circles with this issue and wonder if anyone has encountered the same problem?

I created a new listing (duplicate of my main listing, a room in our home) in order host Ukrainian refugees. At the beginning of the process I was asked the question “Confirm how you can help by selecting to either 'Host guests free of charge' or 'Host at a lower rate' ...” and a suggested rate was given. I opted for a lower rate. After creating the listing I noticed that I was apparently hosting for free! I subsequently got in touch with Help and was given a list of instructions to follow. Long story short, tech support were telling me there was an option for discounted stays and I kept telling them I could not see it! If indeed there is such an option, it is very well hidden...

So, it was agreed that I'd delete the newly created listing and start afresh. I did so. The second time I didn't even get the option to 'host at a lower rate'!

So, I wonder if anyone has dealt with this and somehow managed to input a charge...? BTW, we absolutely do not want to make a profit out of hosting refugees, the charge would be to cover our expenses and I imagine this would be covered by one of the organisations who make the bookings.

[Emiel1]

@Patricia55 

Why create a duplicate of the listing ? You can use the excisting listing for this.

On Airbnb.org you can select "lower rate" (and enter the rate) or "for free" The options are still on the screen. i just checked:

[Patricia55]

Hi @Emiel1 

I only realised afterwards that I could have used my existing listing... Actually, tech support told me there are pros & cons to both methods...

Anyway, I'm still rather sceptical about the whole programme, sadly... I was given the option to choose between “lower rate” and “for free”.  I chose “lower rate” and my choice was ignored.  If Airbnb.org purely wants people to host for free, they shouldn't pretend to give us a choice.

Best, Pat

[Till-and-Jutta0]

@Patricia55 I guess it's a technical issue and not by intention.

We offer our listing for 1 € - no problem at all.

[Patricia55]

Hi @Till-and-Jutta0  - glad to hear you had no problem! You may be right that it's a technical issue... However, I spent a lot of time in discussion with specialist support, over a period of 4 days, 20-23 March - wouldn't they have known?

I would have much preferred to be told there was a technical issue, then I would have simply waited. Instead, I was encouraged to try all sorts of dubious methods of inputting a charge and was left feeling that I was doing it wrong! (I'm not the most tech-savvy person but I'm not completely incompetent!)

Best, Pat