Why are two parties paying different rates when I haven't changed the cost?

[Karen816]

One couple, coming for two days March 9-11, is paying $45 (what I charge) and the next couple, coming March 13-20 is only paying $35/night and i didn't change the charge..

[Rebecca181]

@Karen816 Do you have 'Dynamic' pricing / 'Smart' pricing on? Or, did you perhaps check the box that says AIrbnb will start lowering the price of your place 7 days before an available date to get it rented? If not, I would call Airbnb, as obviously something is wrong.

[Steve143 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Karen816,

It's because you seem to have a 21% weekly discount set. That kicks in for stays of 7 nights, like the March 13th to 20th one you mention. 45 - 21% = 35.55

Steve.

[Karen816]

Thanks Steve, I checked my pricing and you are right, the weekly discount is the reason. In your opinion, is a weekly discount smart policy for a host?

[Steve143]

Hello @Karen816,

Provided the discount just reflects the lower overhead costs of multiple night stays but still leaves you with a nightly rate that works for you, yes I think it's worth having a weekly discount.

A little discount could have the effect of giving guests a nice surprise when they fill in the dates having already seen your listing. I wouldn't give a large one as you may then end up with bargain hunters, who're just looking for cheap accommodation, staying with you for a whole week. Hosts often remark that such guests are often high maintenance and unappreciative of hosts' efforts.

I offer a weekly discount, but only one booking in 1.5 years of hosting has been long enough to trigger it. 90% of my reservations are for 1 night only so the discount isn't going to wring another 6 nights from them. It was nice to have the discount for the one group as they were really great guests with whom I've kept in contact.

Steve.

[Matthew285]

@Karen816, if you do offer a weekly discount, please make sure that 7 nights always costs more than 6 nights. With a discount of 21%, it will actually be cheaper for a guest to book 7 nights even if they only plan to stay 6 nights. This wastes a night for you.

Some host's weekly discount is so high that 7 nights is actually cheaper than 5 nights, and so guests will book a whole week and leave 2 nights early (as they always planned) just because the weekly rate was cheaper.

I agree with @Steve143: offer a weekly discount if it reflects costs savings for you. I have no weekly discount at all, but since there is a cleaning fee, longer stays cost less per night than short stays anyway.

[Karen816]

@Steve0: That is a very good point. I will try to figure out how to reduce the weekly discount. It seems like Airbnb set the discount.