@Beth80 , @Lisa723 , @Alice595 @Mike-And-Helen0 have all given you advice. Here’s my take and mindset change....
Hi @Kate898.
You need to do what works for YOU and how you run your Airbnb space. Only you need to know those details...
Considerations for me: I live on site and launder and clean the space myself.
I always discuss checkout before checkout day, and this alleviates any misunderstandings or poor and rushed decision making and communication with the guest. I then recount the conversation on the Airbnb message site so it is documented.
I have just extended my current guest’s checkout by four hours, free of charge, as they are catching a long haul international flight, coming off a conference.
They have had almost a two week stay and I have had a good payout. I consider in these circumstances it’s good will.
- but I have previously blocked the calendar for the couple of days in between their checkout and the next incoming guest, so no turnover issues.
- I won’t clean till the following day as my own social calendar is busy. I can start the laundry when they leave.
==========
BUT when it doesn’t affect MY personal commitments or cleaning schedule, I work to suit both our needs. Consider it as an extra service, rather than an inconvenience. Sure, I can’t clean at midnight (or won’t), or welcome new guests, but I wasn’t going to anyway..... it won’t affect my cleaning and my other non Airbnb work commitments.
What works for me:
1. Generally, if someone has an evening flight, I offer a half day rate. That day is already blocked on my calendar, as my preparation day.
2. I then go into my calendar and ensure the following day is also blocked, to avoid any fast fingered instant bookers..... ( I have a minimum of 2 night stay)
3. I then change the preceding day’s rate to the agreed half day rate. ( the check out day)
4. Then I send a change of date reservation, which gets accepted. Easy peasy for MY NEEDS.
5. They are very happy, I get a half day $$ bonus that I would not have got, and this usually makes you a “better” host in the review process.
For me, it’s a win - win.