Instant Book

[Dani10]

After speaking with a guest who had used Instant Book I didn't feel comfortable and decided to cancel the reservation.

I've never cancelled a reservation so I called airbnb first to see how this would affect my superhost status etc.

They told me that I could cancel Instant Book reservations up to 3x per year (under certain circumstances).

What isn't clear is if it's up to 3x per year per host regardless of how many properties you have listed using Instant Book - or if it's up to 3x per year per property.

I haven't received an answer from airbnb so far.

Does anyone else know?

[Jeff38]

Good question!

I believe it's 3 strikes within your profile as a host. Keep in mind, the website/plaform was originally built for those sharing their home...not multiple listings. 

Cheers

Jeff

[Annette33]

@Dani10, sometimes I wonder if the people at the Airbnb help desks are up to speed and accurate in the info they are giving out :

 When I (reluctantly) turned on IB a few days ago, I checked on the cancellation rules: they actually  seemed to be somewhat easier to do on IB than under the "regular" hosting set up (where cancelling is a big no no).

In the currently posted Airbnb rules on cancelling it clearly says:

"You can cancel instant bookings penalty-free an unlimited number of times if you’re uncomfortable with a reservation or if a guest breaks one of your House Rules."

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/990/i-m-a-host--what-penalties-apply-if-i-need-to-cancel-a-reser...

So who is correct: the Airbnb representative who told you 3x max - or the posted Airbnb rules, stating "an unlimited number of times"?

Would be good to know....

[David126]

Used to be 3x but they changes it about 6 months ago.

[Dani10]

Hi David,

Are you saying that 6 months ago they changed it to unlimited?

[Dani10]

Are you saying that 6 months ago they change it to unlimited?

[Dani10]

Thanks Annette-

I sure hope the version you sent me is correct!

[Lina53]

@Annette33

Thanks for your concise post 🙂  

I'm still debating about leaving Airbnb or complying with the aggressive push to use IB.  

"You can cancel instant bookings penalty-free an unlimited number of times if you’re uncomfortable with a reservation or if a guest breaks one of your House Rules."

- "if you’re uncomfortable with a reservation".... do you know if this means (or also includes) being uncomfortable before the guest enters a host's home (if I get a bad vibe or if guest is intentially avoiding any and all communication, etc)?  Or does Airbnb mean that if a host feels uncomfortable while the guest is already at the host's home?  I think the wording is very vague...

[Annette33]

@Lina53 , yes, no doubt the wording is very vague. makes you wonder if that is in purpose or a sign of general incompetence/unawareness of what it is they are actually saying. I tend to think it is unawareness: those tech guys change rules and stuff every 5 minutes, they don't think it through or have a logical person double check it. It's all pretty chaotic and only raises the anxiety level in hosts who want clear answers and directives.

specifically about "being uncomfortable": I believe it includes scenarios before the guest even arrives, like if he/she asked for a bunch of favors, changed arrival time, didn't communicate, etc...but then, it's anybody's guess what is acceptable in Airbnb's eyes as "uncomfortable"...

In any case, now having turned in IB, I am not getting an increase in viewings, but got one new booking right away.  i do believe that the fear about IB guests is mostly unfounded: people are people, most just prefer to book hassle free, that's all. It doesn't mean that IB guests are shady characters or are avoiding communication. that's way too many assumptions based on fear.

[David126]

I think it was in January.

[Helen18]

It should be upto you if you want to cancel a guest or not. At the end of the day its your property and safety that if you do not feel comfortable with any guest then you should be able to.Its airbnb that make the big profit anyway.

Talking of instant i have never done it but thinking of doing it because somehow airbnb put me at the bottom of the list because i put my place on snooze for about a year.Came back and i have been really quiet ,Truth is that i have never been this quiet with airbnb ,

Does the guests just turn up or do they give you plenty notice before hand?.

[Isabel203]

Using the App, you get notified immediately when someone IBs your space. There are options for who you will aloow to IB. I have mine set so only people with a verifed gov't ID and good reviews can IB - everyone else has to contact me to book.

[Lizzie]

Hello @Dani10, 

Lovely to meet you all.

I know this discussion was started a few months ago now, I just wanted to highlight a recent post we have shared here in the Community Center which hopefully will be useful to you: Answers to your top Instant Book Questions. 

I hope you find this helpful.

Thanks,

Lizzie

@Lina53, @Helen18, @Jeff38,