Hi,
I have not found any info about this in the previous post so I wanted to check what you guys think about the following issue.
I started hosting less than a month ago. 2 days ago I found out that my listing is not visible under "Instant Booking" category even though I have had this option turned on for more than 2 weeks now. I reached out to Airbnb to clarify what is going on and this is what they replied:
Message 1 "Upon checking, our system converted your listing from instant book to request to book. This is done to introduce additional confirmation requirements to the booking process to ensure a host is ready to accept the reservation. As bookings are successfully completed, you will be automatically assessed and your listing will be returned to Instant Book. This assessment is completed every 7 days."
Message 2 "Our system notice that there are some denied and expired reservation. This feature identifies hosts with a higher risk of canceling and convert their listings from Instant Book. We are helping the host from the booking process to ensure that you are ready to accept the reservation. However, you will see a notification on the message thread that we wanted to confirm that you are ready to host and accept a guest. You will also receive an email with the same information. You don't have to worry, if you will be automatically assessed and your listing will be returned to instant book. Be sure to be responsive and active."
I had 10 bookings so far, 1 has been declined by me as - my bad, I haven't updated the calendar, that was before i turned Instant booking on, the second one I have cancelled after a lenghty conversation with Airbnb helpdesk and identyfing a shady guest who didn't want to verify his identity (he booked with instant booking). All other 8 bookings have been accepted/confirmed.
Is this normal? I though I can cancel booking requests without any penalty from Airbnb and when a guest uses Instant Booking I can cancel up to 3 per year if I don't feel comfortable.
I have the feeling I am being penalized for these two cases and I am loosing on bookings, there is definitely less interest if a listing cannot be instantly bookable.
Thanks,
Maria
