People who book a stay for their kids/young adults and the person booking the stay does not stay at the property

[Alex1046]

Does anyone run into this situation.  We have three young adults staying at our property.  Their mother made the booking and paid

For their stay.  The mother did not stay at the property.   I spoke to the young adults who claim to be 25 years old which is our minimum age to book our property.  The mother who made the booking did not tell us she was not staying with her children.

Fortunately the young adults are very well behaved and we have had no issues.   It just feels like we have been scammed.

Please provide your thoughts on this as on our review I an unsure if we should make mention of this or are we just being too petty.

Thanks

Alex

[Colleen253]

At 25, these aren’t “children”. Why would they need momma to book and pay? Regardless, it’s a third party booking,

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/427/can-i-book-on-behalf-of-a-friend-or-family-member

[Alex1046]

Colleen

Thanks for the feedback 

[Dale711]

Hi @Alex1046 

“ (guest name ) stayed with us, and everything was ok. However, communication needs to be improved as we were a little disappointed that it was a ‘ third-party booking ‘ and we were not informed by the guest that arrived after them in the apartment.”

A short, honest and fair review is gently appreciated.

** stars in the communication review 

[Alex1046]

Dale and Dan

Thanks for the feedback 

[Linda108]

I think the NO 3rd party booking is unique to Air BNB or perhaps other shared home platforms.  I don't know if the booking mom gave it a thought and certainly you can't assume she was trying to scam.  I wonder if you would have a chance to in your welcome message to confirm the booking guest is also staying on the property.  Perhaps weave it in your confirmation of the details of the guests.  Perhaps the review which will show on her profile, should include some mention of the communication error resulting in a 3rd party booking unbeknowst to you but fortunately there were no problems with the actual guests.

[Dale711]

Hi @Linda108 

You’re right.

The Majority of Airbnb users did not become aware the ‘third party booking’ is violated Airbnb policy.

The host must ask and remind the guest to present every guest's name during the booking request and verify their I’d during the check-in.

[Alex1046]

Linda

Thanks for the feedback 

[Sarah977]

@Alex1046  You can't really know how to write the review until the guests check out, and you see whether they leave the place clean and undamaged, and checked out on time. 

If they prove respectful in those regards, I would mention that the review is actually not for the account holder, as unbeknowst to you, this turned out to be third party booking. But that the guests who stayed for this booking were respectful, clean, etc (or not, as the case may be).

Then, after the 14 day review period is over, so mom doesn't leave a retaliation review, I would private message her to tell her that booking for her kids, or anyone else, is against Airbnb terms of service- that if she books a place, she has to be among the guests who stay.

There are several possible reasons she may have done this. She may simply have been unaware that 3rd party bookings aren't allowed, it may have been a "surprise" gift to her kids, she may be one of those helicopter parents who seem to feel the need to arrange everything for her kids, even though they are legally adults, or they may have said "Mom, can you book for us?- we'll probably get rejected because we're young and have no reviews" (or they already did get declined or have accounts with bad reviews).

If the group does earn themselves a good review, you might also point out to her that she has actually done them a disservice, as they would have earned themselves a good review on their own profile, which is a benefit to them in the future, rather than the review being on mom's profile.

[Lorna170]

Third party bookings are a problem especially if payment is through a card held by a person who is not staying.  In 15+ years of renting properties, I have had several instances where the credit card holder calls their bank to say "I did not book or stay, refund me", and their family member/friend enjoys a free stay.  Not cool.  Third party bookings should NOT be acceptable on any platform.