Is Check-In Guide sent automatically?

[Jennifer1152]

I have the Check-In Guide set up for all my properties but I find that guests don't see it until I actually send the link in my Inbox conversation with them. A few questions...

1. Instant Booking has been good for me and I'm doing a great job of managing my listings despite being in an area with limited cell service and internet access. If someone instant books after check-in time (which I'm fine with as long as they get sent the right info) and I'm not reachable immediately to send them the link to the Check-In Guide, are they sent it automatically? The address and lock-box code in particular are of greatest importance.

2. As I mentioned before, I find that guests don't see the Check-In Guide unless I send them the link in the Inbox conversation. Are guests supposed to know intuitively to look for the check-in guide? Are they being sent a link they should be seeing? Or is there a way to have an automated message sent through the Inbox message? I think the latter would be the most helpful as guests are usually super responsive to Airbnb Inbox messages as it's coming directly from me. I use a another booking platform for the majority of my properties and it's so customizable (automatic messages can be sent x days before check-in, x days after check-out, etc.) and I'm getting very frustrated with the limitations of Airbnb but I feel that I have to stay with it because this is the way the world is going (isn't that a great business model for Airbnb?!)

Any tips appreciated!

Jen 🙂

[Hilary79]

Hi Jennifer,

I do not know how the check-in guide works as I just send an email template with all of that information.    I have self check in as well.   Upon receipt of the instant booking, I send them a response confirming the upcoming visit and that the access code will be sent to them the morning of arrival.

For security reasons I intentionally do *not* provide anyone with the access code upon receipt of the booking as they could cancel and I don't want that information readily available.  Additionally, as the code is changed frequently, it is also easier for me to ensure they receive the correct code.

You mentioned in your post that the check-in guide contains the lock box code - I personally would remove it from the guide.

Best of luck!

[Jennifer1152]

Thanks so much for your reply! From what I can gather, the check-in guide is only visible 72 hours prior to arrival for each reservation, which is why I didn't mind including it in the check-in guide. I have a total of 50 cottages, suites and hotel style rooms, and most of them are booked directly through our property webistes so automation is easy and already set up for those. I only have 7 of them on Airbnb but I'm getting bogged down with sorting through who has the check-in guide and who doesn't, especially given the connectivity issues in my area. If the link to the check-in guide were sent automatically via the inbox the day before check-in it would make my life soooo much easier.

Back to the most important bit of info though - do you know if it's correct that the check-in guide (which includes lock box code) is only visible 72 hrs prior to arrival? 

Thanks again!

Jen 🙂

[Christine615]

Me too. I have an email template that is essentially the house rules and check-in/check-out instructions. Then you can edit to personalize for the circumstances but it makes life much easier to click "use saved message" when sending instructions a day or two before the guest arrives. Also gives them an opportunity to talk if they have any questions before arrival.

[Jennifer1152]

Thanks for your reply! The Saved message option is very helpful. I'd just like to be able to set an automation time to some of them so they are sent automatically the day before arrival. My property management system (which is how I take at least 80% of my bookings) runs seamlessly and I'm getting bogged down with the Airbnb ones. With my property management system if there's a feature I'd like added I contact the IT team and if it makes sense it's done in a few days for me and for everyone else who uses the platform. I guess I'm spoiled, but it makes my life sooooo much easier. 🙂

[Jeannette66]

Have you tried using 'Guesty' to automate all your messages on AirBnB?

[Lorie7]

It does not appear to be sent automatically, and I can only see it on my phone, not on my laptop for some reason.  I just realized it was at the bottom of guest reservations on my phone this past week and I now send it all the time with general info for check-in, locking doors upon exit, parking, room location, etc.  Even if I accept a reservation on my laptop I have to go to my phone to send the check-in guide.   can't even find it on my laptop.  Ugh...

[Cathie19]

The link to checkin for the specific property is the key at the bottom of the messages page. The guest uses their Airbnb log in to access it. Click on the key and it sends the link.

I also have a basic Google directions and map that I also send in case the guest is travelling, and they receive these only within the last 24hours. They can screen shot the images to assist especially if they do not have a working Australian SIM card with data whilst travelling in Oz.

[Andrew217]

There's currently really no way to do this in Airbnb. I had the same desire and use a service called Smartbnb (https://smartbnb.io/messaging) which has really enhanced the way I host because it offers sooo many features. It allows me to automate this type of message as well as so many others. 🙂