Instabook VS Same Day Booking- which is most helpful?

[Lynn64]

Hi! I had instabook and same day booking on- and then I had the fun effect of getting a same day instabook while out celebrating my husbands birthday. I made it work, but as we rent our own home it was a huge scramble. So my question is- what helps more in terms of getting bookings? Same day booking, or instabook? Thoughts?

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

Both come with their own set of challenges, but it appears Airbnb is now pushing Instant Book listings to the top of the search results, so you'll probably see more reservations as a result of turning that on.  Beware, though.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

Most definitely Instant Book.  Instant book allows qualified applicants to book your home at any time without going through the back and forth of initial contact.  Taking same day bookings allows last-minute travelers the option to book - whether they are Instant Book qualified or not.  Since we take same day bookings and have Instant Book turned on, we've had only 3 same day bookings, but more than 50 Instant Books.    

To avoid the situtation you found yourself on your husband's birthday, you can set same-day reservations to a "cut-off time". Ours is 12pm.  But frankly, I don't think you'll miss out on a lot of bookings if you don't take same-day.  In my experience, people who book last minute are typically more work because they are poorly organized (thus the last minute booking).  But that may not be your experience.  

Good luck.