Host phone number abused

[Sarah1061]

We have been Super Hosts on AirBnB for some time. It is currently my phone number that is shared with guests after they book. I have received enough very late at night, non-emergency phone calls and texts from guests that I am considering removing my phone number from my profile and communicating ONLY through AirBnB messaging. 

With out my phone number, I believe AirBnB can still send me push notifications when a guest messages me or makes a reservation. How does it limit me to not include my phone number?

Thank you

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Sarah1061 notifications from ABB can be sent to your gmail and you can read your emails on your phone or through ABB aplication this is not a problem, but sometimes you will need to get verification codes by sms or call so Airbnb has to have your number I am affraid... and if ABB has it then it will probably be shared with your guests..

The only solution would be to have another phone number to get verification codes , but keep it turned off in the meantime. Or, even easier - turn off the sound on your phone when you go to sleep

[Sarah977]

I  always turn offf my ringer and message tone on my phone when I go to bed. Started doing that years ago when I had a business client (not airbnb guests) message me at 6:45 am on a Saturday morning to see if I could make him some curtains. It woke me up, I looked at the message, rolled over to go back to sleep, then he resent the message 6 times during the next hour.

The only thing I'd worry about re airbnb guests is that there could actually be some true emergency, like the water pipes bursting and the guest not being able to get ahold of you. But I'd be really clear with guests re acceptable hours to call or message you and that outside of those hours, the only reason they can call is for a true emergency, as opposed to just not being able to find the blender lid.

[Darren61]

I actually don’t publish my phone number and communicate only through the Airbnb site/my smart phone. Most things can be worked out through the messages and I found that there is no reason for them to call or text you until they are traveling. I will send them my phone number the day before their trip. They might be looking for your property and want to call you as well. I don’t think it will hurt your reservations in anyway. Also I might suggest a lock box with a key in it at your property as sometimes people arrive earlier than check in time and if I am not at the property they can gain access

[Sarah1061]

Thanks, this is good information to know regarding the phone number. We have a keyless entry with a key pad. The guests get the code before their arrival.

[Helen3]

Personally I wouldn't do this @Darren-and-Tracy0 for situations where a guest doesn't have internet access and needs to call you in an emergency. Some start to travel more than a day before they stay with a host.

[Blue0]

Interesting.  I haven't had my phone abused with late calls by guests.  But last night, a representative from AIRBNB called my home phone at around 10 p.m. local time.  It got me up out of bed, but too late to answer.  When I saw it was from an 855# I just ignored it.  But the rep also emailed me to tell me he had tried to call.  Not only did this disturb me, my current guests were asleep, preparing for an early start to the Grand Canyon.

Come on AirBnB, really ?!

[Leslie-A0]

I have posted a little sign on the foyer table that states from 10pm until 7am my cell phone will be turned off.  For an Emergency ONLY, call, not text,  my home phone (listed the #).  For all other matters, wait until until the following day to contact me via my cell. I got tired of Airbnb sending notifications at strange hours!  Problem solved.

[Sarah977]

No kidding- I get notifications sent at 3AM. Even when the guest is in my same time zone and has actually sent the inquiry or booking request at 9PM.  I don't understand why their system often has such a significant lag, as sometimes I get a notification within minutes of a guest's message. I turn my phone ringer off at night now, but it's irritating that sending me a notification at 3AM of a request that was submitted 6 hours earlier cuts down on my 24 hour response window. If I got the notification when the guest sent it at 9PM, I'd respond immediately, but I'm certainly not going to respond at 3AM when the guest is also asleep.

[Letti0]

We've gotten calls after midnight. They can't log in to wifi, it's broken or not working. Hello, read the password correctly it's a 1 not an l. We leave 3 emergency numbers and they will call all of them with stupid issues at all hours of the day and night with different phones at the same time. Ridiculous...

[Sarah977]

@Letti0  Hosting really is an education in the vagarities of human behavior. I had an upcoming guest text me at 3AM from the Airbnb she was staying at BEFORE she was booked into my place 5 days later, to complain about the loud music near her listing and to ask if I knew what was going on. 

[David126]

My phone hasa snooze function which I use.