Instant booking is the only way to request a government issued ID from a guest. WHY?

[Lauris-and-Gene0]

It appears that in order to require government-issued ID's from potential guests, I must turn on Instant Booking, which I am not willing to do. Am I missing something here? This does not seem to make sense. 

[Linda108]

@Lauris-and-Gene0   OMG are you really  looking for something to make sense?!  😄  It is what it is 😛  However, if you want to require a government ID as part of your listing, you can add that you will be checking the ID of each guest upon check in.  In some countries, this is a requirement as well.

[Emilia42]

@Lauris-and-Gene0- Airbnb ideally wants all hosts to use instant booking. Everyone is accepted and no one is "discriminated" against. I'm not saying this is right or how it should be but that is how it is set up. Contrary to what a lot of hosts who don't use it think, you actually have more control over your bookings when you have instant book turned on. You just don't have the piece of mind that you communicated with the guest beforehand and made the decision to let them into your home.

[Cathie19]

Hi @Lauris-and-Gene0, @Linda108 is correct in commenting on logic, or lack of it! Airbnb is so busy growing their story, that they have misplaced it in the clutter. (Check out Susan from Dublin’s thread:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/The-38-Billion-Question-quot-What-Even-Is-Airbnb-Anymore-qu...

But I have to say that I’m with @Emilia42  with instant book.  I have had no issues (touch wood) with using IB. But I do have all security requirements and questions on offer, turned on.

I have a requirement for a two day notification before arrival set up, so someone can’t book just before midnight and roll up the next day... and yes, this is a thing! This gives me time... which can be very important for trust, communication and preparation.  

But I also cover compliance requirements in my house rules. My rules state you need a facial profile image of yourself, you need to have a profile: have some story about yourself visible and for visiting, government ID and an acceptance of my overall house rules: no exceptions.

My home, my rules because I’m the boss who has the responsibility to keep myself, my family, my asset and the guest/s safe and comfortable with each home stay STR experience.

A mobile number and email account alone, just doesn’t cut it for me! And yes, if I have a feeling that just is not sitting right, I will ask to see ALL government IDs on arrival of all guests, before stepping into the STR space. That alone has scared off the dodgy.

[Clara116]

NOW Dec 2020 ---during the pandemic I have to ask: Why is Airbnb still pushing IB - instant booking?  For almost 4 yrs. now  I still feel penalized that because I refuse to do IB.  guests can just have an email/phone number and "its all good".  They are in.....so I have to question them back and forth and still I'm never sure they are who they claim they are..... and who are we kidding. And guests can set up as many of those accts as they want in 10 mins. 

 I know what the said reason for this is: discrim.....but most hosts do NOT discriminate! 

All people/guests should have to submit Govt ID - ALL and sure I know it makes it just a little bit more time with the set up.....BUT think about how much time, effort and care your hosts are putting into sharing with people from everywhere. WHY NOT give hosts this gift so we don't have to be detectives to verify guests.....it makes each stay extra work for hosts like myself that want to book everyone - BUT, not sure they are who they claim they are.  Maybe 16 yrs old wanting to party and trash a place. Come on @Catherine-Powell I'm counting on you to help me and so many like me understand this and not waste so much time in having to do detective work before clicking the accept button. It can get exhausting, trust me.  

Why I will never do IB - PTSD - I've come a long way.

Hoping and trusting you @Catherine-Powell will look at this from a different angle with Hosts in mind. Blessings - Happy New Year, Clara

[Emilia42]

@Clara116 Have you ever used instant book before?

[Colleen253]

@Clara116  Any host who doesn't use IB can still require guests to have verified ID. I started doing this when I turned IB off. It doesn't mean much though, when it comes right down to it. When I was a new, uninitiated host, I had everyone's worst nightmare guest (as in 'known to police' nightmare), who IB'd with verified id. I no longer trust in ABB to verify id whatsoever, but I still require it as it remains a somewhat useful part of my process for guest approval.