@Lisa252 @Sarah977 I think it's pretty clear that Airbnb doesn't have a long-term plan. We can't be entirely sure that there will still be an Airbnb in 2 or 3 years. If there is, we don't know that there will still be a "Superhost" designation. And seeing as how they move the goalpoasts and change the policies at least once a year, who could possibly say what the parameters will be so far in the future?
The thing is, if Superhost status were an award recognizing your achievements, it would not be something that could be taken away. Nobody comes around and hauls off Meryl Streep's Oscars if she decides not to do movies for awhile. The fact that you can lose your status is integral to its entire purpose - which is to use hosts' anxiety triggers to control their behavior. No chance to rest on your laurels and feel good about a job well done when the whole thing can just be snatched away 3 months later.
By all accounts you are both excellent hosts and deserving of any rewards a fair system might have to offer. But from a cold-blooded capitalist perspective, an inactive host is worthless to the company. What would they stand to gain for supplying prizes to idle users who aren't filling their coffers?
Rather than being emotionally invested in the stars and badges, I think we're better off recognizing the SH thing for the manipulative gimmick it is. When you're able and willing to host again, if Airbnb doesn't deliver the business you need to thrive, they aren't worthy of your loyalty. Hopefully when that comes, there will be viable alternatives for homestay hosts.
