Instant book question

[Steven674]

How can I tell whether I am an instant book most or not?

[Linda108]

@Steven674   Go to your listing; booking; and if you require the guest to contact you before booking approval, you are not on Instant Book.  If you do not require that, then you are on Instant Book.  Under IB you can require that the guest have positive reviews so you are not accepting someone who has no favorable history.  Hope this helps!

[Steven674]

So , I determined that I am an instant book host. Will I be able to unblock dates if I cancel a reservation? My situation- I had a repeat guest text me about wanting to stay July 3-8 again this year. Before he could book, someone else did. I hate to cancel; but I really want to help my repeat customers as much as possible. 

[Alice595]

@Steven674You can cancel but you will not be able to unblock any dates you cancel per Airbnb rule. And you will be penalized for canceling a reservation.

[Ana1136]

@Steven674 repeat customers are not worth the penalties you are facing for canceling a reservation. And trying to accommodate repeat guests is not a valid reason for canceling, you can't just cancel because you prefer someone else. 

[Susan151]

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@Steven674 wrote:

I hate to cancel; but I really want to help my repeat customers as much as possible. 

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Don't do it!!! Not worth the penalities EVER! You will be charged a fine, your dates will be blocked so the repeat person won't be able to book, and you loose any hope of reaching SuperHost status for a full year.

ADDED: and waiting until mid-June to book a house in Vermont in the summer? Repeat guest isn't planning very well.

[Linda108]

@Steven674   The message about don't cancel has been given to you loud and clear.  However, if you want to encourage repeat good guests, perhaps you can off a small discount to reward the guest for booking with you again.  Perhaps they will have some flexibility in their planning.

As you become familiar with this forum, you will find how very disruptive it is for a host to cancel a reservation.  Doing so not only is often very difficult for the guest but it also make many potential guests unwilling to use Air BNB again.

Good luck with your new Air BNB business!