2 or more wanting bookings for overlapping dates

[Jill184]

I am relatively new to airbnb.  I just put up a property and two people have requested it on overlapping days.  I do not have instant booking.  I went ahead and pre-approved the first person a few hours ago before I knew of the second inquiry, but they have not booked yet.  What is the protocol for preapproving  the second guest whose dates start earlier but then overlap with the first person? Is that something I should do though I pre-approved the first person?   My goal is to have it booked but I also want to be fair.  I could not pre-approve the second guest, and the first could not book and then I could lose both. Yes?    Thanks for any advice/support on this matter.

The first person wants dates of 8/28 - 9/15  and the 2nd person wants dates of 8/15 - 9/6.

Thanks!

Jill 

[David126]

Basically you pre approve, do not tick the box to hold it for 24 hours and the first person to book gets it.

You have no way of knowing if either prospective guest will book, they hay have other listings they are looking at.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

@Jill184 - Welcome to hosting.  This scenario will happen from time to time.  There is no set answer because it is based mostly on your hosting style.  For me, I would approve both and the first one to book gets the room.  Of course I would inform them that a pre-approval only lasts for 24 hours and does not secure the room, additionally, that a second request is out there for the same dates.  I wouldn't hesitate to communicate to the guests that I have 2 pre-approvals pending.  

Some hosts will hold the dates for a pre-approval, there's a check box to hit during the process that will do this automatically.   It's not something I would do because people ask for reservations all the time but maybe half follow through - that's why I love Instant Book.  And you've already noted what could happen, you end up with neither!  You shouldn't worry that one of the reservations will be left high and dry, there are LOTS of Airbnb options out there for guests and they will find another choice.  Once you've been hosting longer, you'll get to know which properties are most like yours and you can recommend it when you don't have availability or the exact right amenities.  

Keep coming back to ask questions, we're all full of opinions here! 

BTW - make sure you respond within 24 hours if they are reservation requests.  You will be penalized if you do not: 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/363/what-does-each-reservation-status-mean

[Jill184]

Hi!  Thank you for the great tips.  I wish I understood more about all this when I put up my main house last September.  In making errors I had to cancel two people, which I could have avoided as they understood I was new and in the making error state and were very kind.  I understand now that I could have asked them to cancel instead of me cancelling.  Anyway, on my guest house, I am trying to get evrything right and good  out of the box as I only put it up yesterday.  I so want renting it through airbnb to work, so I really want to avoid errors.  Much gratitude in your supporting comments!

Thank you!

Best!

Jill