Additional Extras charge

[Geraldine60]

I am asking the Community for their help on this issue.  In my apartment I have a double bed in the main bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room.  I very recently decided to make an additional charge of ten euros for the use of the additional bed linen for the sofa bed if required, a fourth person is inclusive. Recently, I had the misfortune of having the absolute guest from hell stay at my apartment with her family of four. Her visit required the use of the extra linen for the use of the sofa bed, I assumed I was justified in asking her for this additional charge, as it is stated in my description.  Payment is generally asked for via Airbnb.  No other guests complained about this charge and had paid accordingly.

This guest was absolutely furious to be asked to pay for this additional extra.  This extra is also an additional charge should two guests book the apartment and one decides to use the sofa bed, hence the payment for the extra bed linen.

This guest contacted Airbnb as she was deeply unhappy with this extra charge.  To cut a long story short.  Airbnb have came back to me and told me off for having this additional charge I have been told that I  receive penalties making this additional charge if I do not remove this from my listing.  Obviously, I am feeling extremely upset by this episode.  Surely, this cannot be correct, or perhaps I am missing something out or am I stupid.  Extra bed linen is an extra is it not!  Your comments on this matter would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Geraldine

[David6]

Some guests can be extremely sensitive to these kind of charges. They are already  paying Airbnb fees on top, so asking for more can just really cause issues.

I would add under ‘extra charges’ an additional nominal fee for the bedding for bookings of 3+ guests. This way its automatically calculated and the guest sees the total price and will not be hit with extra charges they may not fully understand or be aware of at point of booking. Because as we know many guests do not read our listings. 

If you get a lot of bookings for 2 ‘singles’ then I’d just up my nightly rate by couple of € so the extra charge is incorporated. If these bookings are rare I’d swallow the cost and just provide the bedding, point out to guest you are providing the linen at no extra charge and hopefully it will be reflected in your reviews. 

With Airbnb everything must be via the platform and I can imagine they worry that *some* hosts will be negotiating ‘extra charges’ direct with the guest and pocketing the extra cash. 

[Sarah977]

@Geraldine60  It's a given that any bed that is used by booked guests would include bedding. I think it's bizarre to charge for bedding for a paying guest and I'd be upset, too

 Your ad says "30 euro cleaning fee is inclusive of bedding for 4 guests".

 There's nowhere I see that says you charge additional for the sofa bed bedding, you say the opposite. Did you just change that because of Airbnb's reaction to the guest's complaint??

Why don't you just charge a set rate for 2 people with an extra guest charge of 10 euros per person instead of nickel and diming guests for basic amenities?

[Geraldine60]

Thank you for getting back to me with your advice.  I spoke to Airbnb this morning and they came up with the suggestion that I should add a cleaning fee of 30 euros which would help with the extra bed linen.   It previously was 20 euros.  However, in hindsight I am worried about this as I think it is too high and now might reflect on my bookings, although I am very competitive in price. Previously I used to just charge extra for a third person which I think I will revert back to.  The reason I changed the policy was due to the fact that I was receiving quite a number of two guests who wished to have the separate beds.  On another subject.  I don’t know if other hosts are experiencing this.  I am getting very bad guests at the moment.  One guy who stayed for just one night even stole the hairdryer.  I am just having a very bad run.  Hopefully this will soon change.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Geraldine60 

hm... this is not the first post about this topic. We solved the problem very simply:

the setting for 1 queen bed/ 2 guests

1. 2 duvets in a cover
2.  2 pillows
3.  1 bottom sheet

the setting for 2 single or 2 queen beds / 2 guests

1. 2 duvets in a cover
2.  2 pillows
3.  2 bottom sheets

So the only difference is 1 extra bottom sheet.

We keep extra pillows and decorative covers/extra blankets in the closet and if our guests need them they will use them, if not they will remain in the closet for the next guest. Less work, less costs and environmentally friendly.

We charge 10€ for every guest after 2.

[Geraldine60]

That’s seems like a better idea for me.  It makes more sense.