'refer a host' feature with no payout

[Kelli360]

This is info for any hosts that may be referring another host in the future!! Read this first if you can!

I sent my referral link to my partner's aunt & uncle so that they could become hosts for their condo. They used the link to create their host account and completed their first stay at the end of May 2023. I never received the $720 payout for that. I contacted Airbnb today about it and apparently there is no record of my link being sent or used. I copied the referral link and sent it via text. I was told by my support ambassador that I HAD to have sent it by email and that his aunt & uncle needed to use the email address I sent the referral to in order for it to be tracked. This is obviously a bug in the system, either purposeful or not, that absolutely needs to be fixed. I feel tricked by Airbnb as I followed the instructions and there is some unwritten fine print that has cost me $720. I was also told that I could escalate this as high as I wanted, but it's a policy and they won't retroactively add his aunt & uncle under my referral link. USE EMAIL ONLY!!!

[Liam2392]

Thanks for the information.  **[Link removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines ]

[Robin4]

@Kelli360 

Yeah Kelli, this has been going on for years. Way back in 2017 I followed all the steps to the letter when referring my daughter who wanted to list after seeing the success we were having.

We followed the procedure and when the listing went live she (being in a great location) received $3,000 worth of bookings inside the first 24 hours. Months went by with no referral bonus being paid. I have referred 2 other now active hosts since and the result is the same. Each time I try to pursue it I am told, I don't comply with the requirements! Airbnb have obtained good productive hosts but, my referrals and the time I put into them were worthless to me. 

There have been a considerable number of posts on the CC over the years just like this one of yours Kelli.

It's a scam, don't waste your time, Airbnb are very heavy on marketing, but very light on rewards.

Cheers........Rob

[Bhumika · Accepted solution]

Hi @Kelli360 ,

I am sorry to hear that your referral was not a successful one.

I also wanted to share the Host Referral Programme terms. The Payments section of the article refers to what a qualified referral means. I hope it helps with your future referrals!