Accept or decline on an ENQUIRY or your calendar remains blocked?

[Glen2]

What's with the new accept or decline on an ENQUIRY or your calendar remains blocked?? I respond to every enquiry within an hour., same with bookings. In many cases with an enquiry, you're waiting for more information from them and anyway, it's usually just that - an enquiry and they don't book.  The majority of mine are confirmed bookings and I get few enquiries. I have 100% 5 star reviews and response times but Airbnb have taken to emailing me reminders to respond to ENQUIRIES - when I already have. What is this supposed to achive?

[Beth47]

Yes, same problem: I have a guest with an inquiry who can't figure out how to cancel it so it stops appearing on my airbnb page. I am not the one declining--we corresponded and the guest has changed plans. Seems like this would reflect poorly on me as host if I'm the one 'declining'.

[Deborah1]

You have to pre-approve or decline.

[Glen2]

I do realise this. My question was why suddenly when it's only an enquiry? This has changed in the last days.

[Melanie58]

I pre-approve almost everything just to get it off my plate.  A person says they are working out details with a family member but may not be able to stay and want a backup?  Pre approved!  A person who says they have cat allergies and asking questions about my cats?  I send a message that is basically "why would you ever want to stay here?!" along with...Pre Approved!  Since pre approval doesn't block my calendar, it's just my default response then I let the guest work out whether they really want to come.