Airbnb Pro Pilot a shambles

[Kate292]

As a host being part of the “Pro” Pilot has been very discouraging- from a platform that brands itself on being community led, it was astounding and disappointing to see updates reported to the press today rather than acknowledging those hosts who actually participated in the pilot directly. We were shortlisted for “Select/Pro” back in Nov 2017, complied with requirements underwent the photoshoot, inspection (which we passed in practice) yet the communication and feedback we have received to date has been sparse, if anything at all. What a shambles.

Despite actively chasing Airbnb requesting updates for 3 months, the only responses have been generic “under review” responses. Our specific concerns were not addressed and there have been no follow up with us, no explanations nor suggestions for improvements, let alone “partnering” or a “design consultation” they boast in the PR.

“Luxury”, especially in the hospitality industry, is of course subjective. Like many hosts offering both luxury and non luxury accommodation, we work exceptionally hard to maintain consistently high stands for our guests- that which directly translates into the bread and butter of Airbnb’s profit. We ticked all of the Pro requirements on paper but have been excluded without reason and as result we are now put at a disadvantage: a seeming downgrade in category, certainly now at a detriment from reaching our target (higher end) guest demographic. Airbnb, you have really fallen way off the mark.

[Donna240]

Take heart, many people are going to be looking at your property and any improvements you have made will attract even more guests and improve the value of your property. The pro idea is a fantasy, hoping to attract people willing to pay more for private properties, but many of those people want round the clock service, spas and constant pampering,  which is not going to come from this source.

[Jeff158]

@Donna240 

Its called Airbnb Beyond and the guests will get constant pampering etc.

[Zappa0]

Thanks for the insight 🙂

[Pete28]

I believe Airbnb plus may have some significant downsides

- airbnbs recent change to an avg lifetime rating makes it far easier to drop below the required 4.8 avg and get removed from Plus. This may cause your bookings to be removed, since you will not be meeting the prg standards. 

- you have to accept 95% of bookings and use instant book, so you can no longer filter out the newbies or possible crazies so easily. 

- the new plus guests may be even more picky and thus rate your poorly for anything not of top quality - lack at full cable tv, linens, coffee, kitchen, parking, view etc etc. When I stay at the four seasons my standards and needs are considerably higher than best western...

- once outside plus, a high end property will flounder against its competitors if they are all able to stay in plus.

- taken together the above may create a vicious cycle of host paranoia, stress, and chaos in the Airbnb booking system as properties drop out of plus. 

For most of us Airbnb is just a little extra income, not a desire to endlessly meet the quirks and needs of random guests who don't want to pay full price at hotels. By tieing plus together with superhost, making you accept all bookings and changing the qualifications to a lifetime average I believe Airbnb has created a ticking time bomb for hosts...

[Kathleen176]

It's certainly an interesting evolution we're going through.  I'm honestly considering adding a note that the "rate is the rate is the rate" due to the increase in lowball offers who then tend to have the highest expectations with reciving what I would call "concierge" level service.

I have an upcoming guest who has messaged me some 20+ times and the reservation is still more than a month out. I'm having second thoughts. I really hope I'm wrong, but I suspect this will just be a lesson learned for the books.

Airbnb needs to understand that they need to continue to meet the needs of the hosts as well as the guests. If this gets too hard or too expensive, I'll go back to the traditional lease arrangement on my property.

The flip side is that I've had some truly amazing and appreciative guests from all over the world. 

[Pete28]

Rather than plus I would have done a verified scheme, similar to what a hotel or B and B undergoes to get a license. I would add that this should include more attention to basic life safety and hygiene which plus seems to lack :

- egress space around beds, egress Windows. I see lots of listings where beds are up ladders, bedroom lacks Windows etc. at some point this will hurt when someone gets trapped in a fire

- electrical safety including no electric heaters unless built in, candles, extension cords, gfi for kitchen and bath

- temperature of laundry, provision of clean bedding, towels.

- compliance with local codes 

anyone could apply, and it would add a level of protection. Superhost would be separate for those that strive to do more. Aesthetics is subjective and I wouldn't legislate it.