I read a great conversation started by @Cassandra176, where she requested that search filters for the nightly rate include all fees and taxes, and the total price be displayed in all search results (app, desktop and mobile browser, map display). https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/Feature-Request-Filter-and-sort-by-TOTAL-price-including....
I think she has a legitimate gripe and request, and it made me think about the things I'd like to see implemented as a traveler and host.
1. Most guests and hosts are unaware that the only way a special offer can be sent to a guest is in response to a booking request. Let's give guests the ability to submit a formal special offer as an inquiry or request to book. Also, allow hosts to send a special offer in response to an inquiry similar to how they can send special offers as a response to booking requests. With these features, the reservation is automatically confirmed when the offer is accepted by the propositioned party. Right now, a guest can send an inquiry message with a suggested special offer, and the host can pre-approve/decline the inquirer to make a reservation at the listed rate.
2. If there is an agreement on a special offer, the host can only change the nightly rate in the reservation, and has to do extra calculations to reduce/eliminate any fees to determine the final price. For example, they agree upon a 10% discount on a $60 nightly rate for a three night stay, and elimination of the $20 cleaning fee. The host has to calculate the nightly discount ($60 x .10 = $6), then divide the cleaning fee among the number of nights of the stay ($20 + 3 = $6.67), add the two discounts ($6 + $6.67 = $12.67), reduce the nightly rate by the total nightly discount ($60 - $12.67 = $47.33), and then multiple the reduced rate by the number of nights and enter that that number as the new nightly rate ($47.33 x 3 = $141.99). It would be clearer and easier if the host could adjust the nightly rate and fees separately, and have fields for discount amount or discount percentage.
3. Another item is enable guests and hosts to extend a reservation within X hours after checkout ends, if the extension doesn't conflict with the booking buffer of the next reservation. For example, guests send a message to the host that they want to stay two additional nights. The host updates the reservation dates, but the guest doesn't see the message before checkout ends. The reservation preference is set up with a two day booking buffer before and after each reservation, and the next reservation is scheduled a week away. The guest are unable to reserve the two days immediately after their initial reservation unless the host temporarily removes the booking buffer. During this time other guests would be able to make reservations that require a turn over faster than the host can support.
What would you wish for other than not having your bookings canceled due to bogus EC claims, and being able to get CS before your phone battery dies?