@Lizzie:
Hello-
We've used IB both as a guest and as a host. As guests, sometimes we have a quick last minute business trip and are trying to find something super late and IB is convenient.
As a host- we've had very good experiences with the exception of probably 3 out of probably 15 possibly more IB so we have been VERY lucky.
It would be nice if the IB feature was enhanced to ensure hosts who want to use it have a little more protection. The 3 cancellations penalty free is a start BUT I would like to see the following items;
*Only guests who have a visible face picture
*Fully verified including an offline I.D. (when they are verified with email, phone number- these verifications aren't solid and easily changed)
*Have previous positive reviews (maybe a minimum of 2)
*Have a complete profile description
*Require guests to include some basic information of their visit in the message that gets sent to hosts upon IB getting confirmed:
--Purpose of visit: Business, Leisure, Combination, Other:
--Full names of guests who are included in the reservations, require they include ALL guests even if they have newborns, in fact someone mentioned for Airbnb to offer a drop down menu where guests have to indicate type of guest: (adult, teenager, 3-12yrs, Newborn/toddler) This would help us as hosts prepare accordingly
--For listings that are pet friendly- for the pet fee indicated by host to be acknowledged/accepted and confirm their pet is potty/house trained etc, basically whatever the host requires.
*And to have to click and confirm they have indeed read, understood, and and agree to follow all house rules
*Understand that guests may not bring additional guests not included in the reservation (maybe there should be a penalty here)
Those are our wish lists.
Also for regular bookings add:
--For listings that are pet friendly- for the pet fee indicated by host to be acknowledged/accepted and confirm their pet is potty/house trained etc, basically whatever the host requires of pet guests.
--And to have to click and confirm they have indeed read, understood, and and agree to follow all house rules
--Understand that guests may not bring additional guests not included in the reservation (maybe there should be a penalty here)
*And to have to click and confirm they have indeed read, understood, and and agree to follow all house rules
--Confirm they are booking this reservation for themselves and not a 3rd party booking
Another topic:
Start cracking down on profiles that don't use real names, real pictures, and have completed descriptions. I remember seeing the email after the Paris opening that pictures would be required but I still see enough host/guests that are not complying.
Thanks in advance for hearing us out.