Hi Sam,
I was invited to apply for the Plus Program by an e-mail which stated, "We took a look at your current listing photos, and are really impressed." So I scheduled a visit from one of their professional photographers (a.k.a. Air BnB Partner.) He spent about 3 hours in my home, verifying about 100 amenities required for Plus verification, then taking photos. 18 so called "fixes" were suggested, most of them minor. However, contrary to what their own colleagues had previously indicated, the Plus Team determoned that in their opinion my guest room "seemed dated," and that I should consider replacing furniture and decor to meet their "high standards of design."
It's important to note that the photo accompanying this suggested fix (and most of the others as well) was sub-standard at best, and so dark (all lights in the room turned off), that the only things visible in the photo were a lamp shade and a comforter. I myself would never book this room based on these photos...looks like a flop house...terrible. The Plus team did acknowldege eventually that they had better photos, but declined my request to share even one for comparison, indicating they were "not allowed to share photos with anyone until they were published on the Plus listing page." Huh??
Bottom line: the Plus team insists that I follow their re-modeling request if I want to move forward with the Plus program. I have since e-mailed them indicating that upon further consideration, I was withdrawing my application.
As an aside, I've noticed to date only one Plus listing in this area of Cape Cod...not on page 1, but page 3! So where's the promised "better listing placement" for Plus program members? And guess who's on page 1? Lil ol' non-Plus member me. Go figure.
.