New policy to block bookings from last minute guests

[Amanda1624]

The new restrictions affect guests who want to book a place last minute without any reviews or have low reviews on their account. I had an enquiry from a guest who wanted to book for a week during lockdown to shield his mum. It was refused by Airbnb on the basis that he had no previous reviews. This was the explanation I received:

This enquiry has been blocked

Some enquiries have higher risks of parties, property damage, or safety issues. To help prevent issues like this, we look for patterns associated with them, such as last-minute reservations for entire homes. This enquiry has some of these patterns, so it has been automatically blocked.

 

What do you think? I have subsequently had two more in the space of a few days? One I am delighted with as it was for a single night stay in my apartment from a local (whole place) at the weekend and experience has thought me that they are often party creators!  I feel there are loads of explanations that would be genuine for a guest to want to book last minute? 

 

Thanks, Amanda

[Helen3]

Hello @Amanda1624 

This was a third party booking so not one you should have accepted anyway.

The restrictions you mentioned apply to under 25s, so in your situation if the booking met Covid lockdown restrictions in your area you could have just asked for the mother to set up a profile and book directly.