Booked for four wants two others to camp

[Jaye6]

A guest, his wife and two children booked my 4 person capacity cottage in January for 8 days in the summer. He recently asked if it was ok to have his in laws stay “a few days” and I said no because its only equipped for four people. He then said could his in laws camp on my property (I live on a lake) I sent him a couple of messages asking to define a “a few nights” and also give me the names of the people staying. My insurance company requires this. No response! If he does bring these campers how do I charge him the extra money? I do say additional guests are $25 but that hasnt ever really come up so I dont know how to change his booking - and is it $25 per night extra? So my conerns are: is he just trying to slup in a whole load of people for free? And if not how do I change his reservation?

[Donald28]

The camping guests are still using all the resources of the regular guests. I would just say NO. Even if they arrive and still havent answered your questions. 

[Jaye6]

I cant cancel now or lose my status Im afraid which I dont want to do. Do you know how to charge them the additional fee now that they have booked?

[Julie143]

You can do a reservation alteration and change the number of guests. He will need to approve it.

You can also request money through the app. This might be a better bet if you want to charge them less than the usual $25 per extra guest. 

(Yes, it’s per night)

When you look at his reservation in the system you should see options for changing reservations and requesting money.

[Tim-and-Holly0]

@Jaye6:
Go to this guest's message thread. Look in the left column about half way down for a link, "send or request money." Click it and follow the prompts. You will need to charge whatever your listing states-- $25 per night, $25 per extra guest or $25 per stay. In the 'reason for charges' box write "as my listing states..." and explain the additional charge. The reason for this detail is if you need to involve Airbnb later in order to get your payment. You can request Airbnb mediate the charge after 72 hours if the guest has not paid.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Jaye6 

guests who don't understand NO as an answer are bad guests. I smell trouble.

You can either do what others suggested but make sure you charge extra guests for full 8 nights because they didn't say how many nights they intend to stay. Or you can contact Airbnb and ask them to cancel without penalties to you because your guests intend to break your house rules by bringing extra guests over your max capacity.

If they refuse your alteration request and show with extra people then you are not obligated to check them in. Call Airbnb to cancel.

[Helen3]

Hello @Jaye6 

Sorry you are wrong you absolutely can ask airbnb to cancel the booking as you are uncomfortable with the guests.

I would call Airbnb and insist they cancel the booking because the guests want to bring additional guests in excess of the limit for your home and asked for their in laws to camp on your property and refuse to answer further questions.

Of course his inlaws aren't going to camp they are going to use your home and your facilities and amenities.e

I wouldn't recommend as others have done that you go ahead and accept the additional guests a) because they will sleep in your home anyway  b) your home isn't set up to accommodate six c) the guest has poor communication and is trying to get out of paying.

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Jaye6 

I can see the difficulty.

As @Julie143 says the place in the booking is "change or cancel" this is what Airbnb would prefer you to do.

It is likely that you won't be able to immediately charge the extra person amount as your capacity will be likely set to 4 so the 'additional person' charge (4 off) will not imediately be chargeable since your capacity won't allow it. You will first need to make your capacity 8 before charging the extra 4 people at $25 per. night. Change your capacity back to 4 after you do this.

Alternatively, first obtain clarification that your guest wants to book the extra guests @ $25 each and for what period. Then explain the total cost and that a payment request will be sent for payment. You may not be able to send the payment request immediately. The payment request may only be sent 4-5 days before check-in. This I know as payment requests I've wanted to send cannot be sent prior to this time (for whatever reason? If anybody knows otherwise I'd be interested to find out). Nearer the time send this payment request and remind your guest you have sent it - because its likely that they won't receive it in the App and need to view it on a desktop machine with browser. A recent guest told me she had to go to Help > Resolution Centre in order to view and pay the request she didn't know she even had but had agreed to.

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-Circle/Payment-Requests-not-being-seen/m-p/1059585/highligh...

[Jaye6]

I went to the on line support which suggested I change the reservation to reflect $25 per day per person for the additional “campers” so I did this. Additionally I will call Airbnb as well because I have never had campers on my property as well. Ill message hear with what Airbnb said

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Jaye6 

Tent camping or Motorhome camping?

Your fees will be just the same but if a Motorhome you might suggest you will add an electrical hook-up for the $800 extra fee if you're comfortable with the idea of 8 people staying and that would be an 'extra' you could use in the future.

[Jaye6]

Called Airbnb who are going to contact the host asking for names/numbers of guests and if they will accept the additional charges. Ill give this two days then cancel. The lady from Airbnb on the phone said it will not violate my status and they have it in writing he is bringing extra people above and beyond my normal maximum.

[Helen3]

Bet you will find they stay in your home and use all your amenities @Jaye6 

[Emilia42]

@Helen3 is probably right, I doubt these additional people will be "camping.'' They will be using your shower, bathroom, kitchen, blankets, towels, etc. You can bet that if it rains, they will by on an air mattress on your living room floor.