Verified identity

[Melinda229]

Hi there!  We are new to AirBnB and just received a request to book from someone that has been a member of AirBnB but has no reviews, only email and phone number confirmed.  Should this be a red flag?  

[Fred13]

"They have been a member of Airbnb.." 

For how long? Even if for a long time perhaps this is the first time they have tried to use the service. The only relevant fact is that they do not have a review in the first place, for whatever reason, thus you have nothing to go by. True, that is a dilemma.

[Kath9]

@Melinda229, not necessarily. They may have been a member but never used the service. Have a look at their profile info (and if there is none, politely ask them to update their profile). I would go by their communication - how do they come across? Have they given you a reason for wanting to book? Do they seem friendly and polite and open? It's okay to ask a few questions and see how they respond. Your instincts will tell you a lot.

[Melinda229]

Hi Kathy,

Thank you so much for your guidance!  The guest has been very forthcoming and happy to provide additional info!  I moved forward with the request to stay.  I am close by should anything go sideways but I feel like she will be a great guest!!

[Ben-and-Sam0]

I have hosted many new users to the platform who have no reviews, with no issues. As others have suggested above, it can be very helpful to get a feeling about the guest by conversing with them. For guests with no reviews, I usually ask a few questions such as whether they have reviewed the entirety of my listing description, and the purpose of their visit.

In addition, I will only accept a booking if the guest either has at least one positive review, or has completed the identity verification. I have very little trust in the quality of the identity verification, but if I ask the guest to complete it and they either refuse or don't respond, their unwillingness is enough for me to reject the booking. This has only happened a handful of times in 150+ stays.

You may find it helpful to establish a few routine questions that you ask, and a personal minimum standard for what you will accept in terms of review history and verifications.

[Melinda229]

Indeed!  I asked several additional questions and she was incredibly responsive and gave additional info.  This has been a great learning experience for any future requests!  Thanks so much for your input!!

[Robin4]

@Melinda229 

Some of my nicest guests have been first time users. I find that they try that bit harder to please the host and gain acceptance onto the platform.

I don't know what the profile of this guest of yours is but, how would you look on a first time reservation request like this one Melinda?

No information other than an email address and a phone number, no reviews.

I accepted that reservation and she turned out to be a wonderful guest, welcome back here at any time and I was so pleased I could give her a great review to get her Airbnb guest career off to a good start

For me Melinda it's the way the guest comes to me with their request or their initial message. 

If they come to me with a complimentary introduction I know they will be a good guest.

If they come to me with a series of requests or statements then I am much more hesitant about accepting them.

The other thing to watch out for.....are they local? If they are, why is it that they need to use my place rather than their own! I need a solid reason why somebody local wants to come to my house for one night, is it a party, is the boss looking for a hideaway with the secretary? Unless there is an ironclad acceptable reason for their stay, locals are out! 

So Melinda, someone with no past reviews is not a red flag but, keep the radar switched on and try to get as much information about them and their trip as possible. They might just turn out to be really good guests!

Cheers.........Rob