Airbnb Select Program- Anyone have experience yet?

[Ivan-and-Wendy0]

Hi, 

We've been invited to participate in the Airbnb Select program, and I'm trying to decide if we want to join. Any participants out there want to chime in? (Especially hosts in San Francisco, but anywhere else, too!)  

Thanks!

[Jeff158]

Hi @Ivan-and-Wendy0

I know nothing about it but,

Type "airbnb select program" into the community search bar and a few posts come up.

[Ivan-and-Wendy0]

Thanks, Fred. I tried that first - this ain't my first rodeo!  😉

Those posts don't have any information about people actually Hosting in the Select Program, only the "have you heard of this" phase of the rollout. Thanks, though. 

[Jeff158]

Well, you won't find anyone actually hosting on the select program as it hasn't been rolled out yet. Its expected to launch in 2018 but I've read they are behind with inspections so it may be delayed, in the UK the select host meeting was only held about 6 weeks ago, with 98 hosts attending who's profiles are available on the uk website. If you can find the USA list of select hosts you could contact a few and ask questions or nosey at the listings.

It looks like a program to increase guests expectations & abb revenue at your expense.

[Matthew285]

@Ivan-and-Wendy0, I was really hoping someone who was actually in the Select program would respond to you, but I didn't think it would be constructive to be the first post and say only that.

I have been checking this thread every few hours and hoping...

I guess I should just subscribe to it.

[Ivan-and-Wendy0]

Right? Seems like the first rule of Airbnb Select is: You do not talk about Airbnb Select.   🙂

I assume you're like us: invited to join, and wondering if you should.

I reread the other two threads that show in a search for Airbnb Select. The thread "Airbnb Select Program" has some pretty bad condemnations if you look at the three most recent posts. Based on that info - and too much experience with the haphazard ways that Airbnb has rolled out new "features" in the past - I think we'll hold off joining Select. Even if the rollout were perfect, and everyone was extoling its virtues, I'm not sure we'd sign up. We host a lot of Airbnb employees, and they're universally great, but Airbnb employees aside, we often don't enjoy the business travelers we get. It seems like they expect more... our wifi is too slow, the noises from above are too loud, we don't provide breakfast... I don't need that! 

Also, Airbnb has invited us to join only on our actual bedroom, which we rarely rent out. OTOH, we have a lovely guest room that is always listed and highly reviewed, but that one is not invited to join. What's up with that? 

Anyway, good luck, and let me know if you learn anything new. 

Best, Ivan

[Jill2]

I am in the select program in Santa Monica.  It hasn't gone live yet..even though one of my listings say "select"  they sent a photograpger about 6-7 months ago!

[Joe261]

Same story in Silver Lake.  When they approached me, I was one of 30 pilots for the program that was going to launch in August 2017.

Did the Havenly program and passed their inspection.  Did the Host Capital program and upgraded the bathroom and floors.  

My listing now says "Select member since January 2018" so maybe they're finally getting ready to launch?

[Mary593]

Joe, 

I am curious. Did you raise your rates as a result?  I was asked to join over a month ago however they do not have the staff n my area to set an appointment. It lloks to me that it is going to be called Airbnb Plus?  Also you have to pay a $149.00 application fee.

hmmmm

[Qiana0]

Same here! I was invited to join the Select program in the fall of 2017. They sent a photographer who took pictures and conducted an inspection and then I never heard back. When I followed up with Airbnb about the pictures they said that something happened to the pictures when they tried to upload them and they will need to send out another photographer. The other photographer came three weks ago and I still don’t have pictures or an update. Now that AirbnbPlus has launched I’m sure the process is going to take even longer to complete. 

[Martine298]

Quiana,

I was also invited to participate in "Select" then referred to as "Plus" back in 2017. I followed the ever changing rules which Airbnb requested the hosts comply with. I bought many new items for the house, cleared out closet space, cleared out refridgerator, medicine cabinets, I even put in central heat and air, which I wanted anyways.   I  also gussied up my place in anticipation of the Airbnb photographer, following carefully all the Airbnb guidelines. The photographer came out in 2017 took photos and I and did not hear anything after that for a couple months. I waited and waited. In Feburary when my house was booked for a 3 month stay Airbnb sent out an email requiring small, and sometimes erroneous changes that needed to be made in order to get into "Select". They gave us about one week to make the changes and submit photo proof of it.  I did not have access to my house since there was a guest in it. I was able to correct some things however was not able to get a photo of the four pillows on each bed, which was not previuosly mentioned as a "Select" requirement.  Much to my frustration the program launched without my house in the "Select" grouping. Now I can see this new program at the top of every page I search in Los Angeles. My listing, which by the way is very charming and pricy by Airbnb standards is way down the list.  I have to wonder what's going on. I have contacted Airbnb about this and my frustration but they do want to add new listing yet.

How much longer before Airbnb adds new host to their "Select" listings, only they know, and they may just change all the rules again...

[Martine298]

I just want to correct "Plus" is current name for previously named "Select" hosting program.

[Alexandre152]

Already got 2 flats on the Select program in London- UK. Airbnb does the selection and send a photographer converted into a hotel inspector to check several aspects of the property.

Those property should be online soon. 

Best,

[Matthew285]

@Alexandre152, when it does start doing the Select thing, please do come back and give us a review on how the Select thing is!

[Deborah149]

I also was invited, but as I looked at the email invite, the links within the letter did not allow me to validate adherence to stated Select standards and set anappointment for property review and pictures.

After many emails with Sam W, I ended up getting this:

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“ Thanks for the update. By scheduling the walkthrough, you're confirming that you understand the requirements of the program. No need for any formal verification on that checklist page.

I just took a look at the calendar and it looks like you're unfortunately not able to schedule anything because we don't have any available appointment slots right now. Our calendar is set to a rolling 30 day window of availability, with new dates opening up every Sunday. I'd encourage you to check back each week and see if any time slots open up that work for you.”

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amazing that hat this took two hours for an actual answer instead of having the website indicate high demand - check next eeek for new appointment dates.