Profile photo

[Andy606]

A lady has just instant booked my room so presumably has answered my preset questions although I can’t see the answers. Airbnb have confirmed her request so answers must be ok? But, her profile photo only shows a man with 4 young children? Isn’t it supposed to show her?

[Branka-and-Silvia0 · Accepted solution]

@Andy606 

guests can use whatever photo they want, flower, dog, their children... Airbnb doesn't care. If you want to see her profile photo you should tick this requirement under your "booking settings". It doesn't mean every guest will have their own photo but in this case, you can ask your guest to upload it.  (Isn't that great?)

Guests can change their name and profile photo whenever they want. So she can book under her husband name and later change it to her name and her photo. (Isn't that great?)

The biggest joke is - third party bookings are not allowed 😄 😄

Anyway, the only way you can really know who has your keys is to ask them to show you their IDs at arrival. But... you have to have it written in your house rules.

If she didn't answer your pre-booking questions then you have to ask her again. As we all know - people don't read.

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Andy606 if you haven't seen answers, there are none. 

What I do in this situation with instant book is send something like

"We look forward to hosting you, in order to confirm your booking please answer the required questions and upload a profile photo that shows your face."

If they don't, I refer to airbnb and say I'd like them to cancel if the guest doesn't comply.

The only person who hasn't uploaded a pic has sent one via messaging - and it was her, she was just paranoid about the internet.

[Andy606]

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately Airbnb had already confirmed the booking. I had already (3 hours ago) asked the preset questions via message but haven’t had a reply yet. So, none the wiser. I will adjust settings though for future bookings and message her again.

[Mike-And-Helen0]

Just for the future - I realise the booking was confirmed, however the wording is a polite way of saying "if you want to stay, you need to follow the instructions".

[Andy606]

Thanks for that. I messaged again and she rang to confirm things so all good. Am changing settings though for future bookings. We’re supposed to have a days notice but because she booked late last night after we had gone to bed  I didn’t see it until this morning. Doesn’t give much time to sort out if there are any difficulties. 

[Sarah977]

@Andy606  Guest's shouldn't call you to confirm their answers. Ask them to keep the communication on the Airbnb message thread. A guest could contact you by phoning or text to say that yes, there will only be 3 guests coming, and then show up with 6. If their confirmation that it would only be 3 isn't documented, but was only done by phone, it's simply their word against yours. This sort of thing has happened to many hosts. "No, I never said only 3 were coming." "No I never said I confirmed that I understood you had a No Pets policy"

[Andy606]

Good point. Hadn’t thought of that. Thank you. We have only just started hosting Airbnb and it’s a steep learning curve!! 

[Linda108]

@Andy606   I am assuming you are using Instant Book since you did report the confirmation of a booking without your having to accept.  In that case, if you feel that the poor communication from the guest is disturbing, then call Air BNB and have the reservation cancelled.  You might send an additional message to this potential guest emphasing the requirement for good communication and response to questions.  Give them a couple of hours to respond.    Meanwhile, as previously recommended do change your booking settings.  Good luck!!