Young and new to airbnb

[Erika426]

Hello, I'm new to airbnb and I'll be 20 at the time of my travel. I'm looking for an entire apartment for my trip but it seems every listing I request I either don't get a response back, the host raises the price for my requested week, or I get declined (the hosts excuse was that she forgot her calendar was already full for my requested week). So far I'm on my 5th attempt of a reservation. Is this common that I have to go back and forth with people? I'm nervous theres a prejudge because of my age. I've been traveling internationally with my family starting from a young age and I know the type of condition it is expected of me to leave a location in. This is going to be my first trip alone and I'm nervous that I'm not going to find a place that approves me in time. Any suggestions? 

[Ana1136]

@Erika426 just look for a place with IB and you shouldn't have problems. I don't thing the reason is your age, maybe because you are new and with no reviews they are a bit reluctant. I hope you find a nice place to stay 🙂 

[Erika426]

Thank you Ana! That sure is a confidence booster on my part. 

[Ana1136]

@Erika426 it is like looking for job for the first time and they all want experience but you need a job first to have experience 🙂 It is easier after the first stay! 

[Lisa723]

@Erika426 I would look for a superhost with, as @Ana1136 says, instant booking. Make sure you have completed every form of identity verification, as hosts may limit instant booking to guests with verified id. Good luck!

[Sarah977 · Accepted solution]

@Erika426  You can't do anything about being new to the platform and having no reviews, but you can  write up a nice profile for yourself which could put hosts' minds at ease. "Lives in Jacksonville, Florida" doesn't give a host anything to go on. 

Mention the fact that you've been travelling internationally from an early age with your family, that even though you're young, you are mature and well aware of how to treat a place respectfully, that you're not a partier (hopefully that's true, at least not in someone's Airbnb home), etc. mention what you do for work, or if you're a student, what you are studying. You could even say something like "I'm new to the platform, so, of course, don't have any reviews yet, but I hope you'll give me a chance." (You can always edit that profile when you do have a review or two).

In other words, write an engaging, friendly profile for yourself and I think you'll find you won't get so many declines.

[Erika426]

This is a really good response, thank you! I'll do that now. I appreciate your well written answer. 

[Paul1255]

Very nicely said @Sarah977 !

[Ava30]

@Erika426- Good job on the profile, I would accept you as a booking guest. I would also suggest that  when you send in your Request to Book that you tell the host what is bringing you to the area. For my listing, for example, I usually get "We are coming to visit the Redwoods. Your house looks great for our family, can't wait to go exploring". That is a great opener, tells me why they are comng, that they are a family group, one of my favorites, and that they will most likely be out all day. Good Luck!

[Erika426]

Thank you for that! I try to do that but I never know what say. You've given a good example. I try to sound more like that in the future when I request to book.

[Emilia42]

@Erika426, speaking as a guest, that has happened to me as well. I've waited 24 hours for a host not to respond and then I’m back to square one trying to book another place. Putting a big delay in getting my travel plans confirmed. When you book a listing with Instant Booking enabled your booking is automatically confirmed. You should write the host a short note about yourself and your reason for visiting. But once you hit confirm you will receive the booking confirmation.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Erika426 

your age and photo are not visible to the host before the booking is done so it could not be the reason.

As others have said - look for listings with instant booking option and super host status. I hope you will find a nice place to stay 🙂

[Erika426]

I am aware that hosts are not able to see my age and photo. However, in all of my booking requests so far I have mentioned my age. In hindsight, maybe I shouldn't so I can see if that is the issue. My greatest fear is to be turned down later and then be stranded. I'll try and see if theres any options I like with the instant booking feature. Thank you for your input! 

[Emilia42]

@Erika426, I cannot imagine a host refusing to let you through their door because you are 20 years old. Hosts may be hesitant to initially accept the reservation because they may think “young” = naïve, partier, disrespectful etc. (This has not been my experience as a host and I would consider myself young.) Don’t mention your age, it's really not important. Once you get there you can prove any stereotype wrong.