I just received my first group payment booking - for a party of 2, but my cabin could sleep 6. It was all a surprise to me, I must have missed the notice about this "new" feature when it started. Does anyone know when it started? I am also unsure about how it fully works - like does the original request need to state the total number in the party - or could party size go up without my acknowledment? . . .and if they party size goes up (reservation request changes), do I need to wait more time to get a confirmation?
From reading what Air BNB states in their blurb after I accepted the booking, I find It certainly is a disadvantage to the host. The booking I just took was for about 30 days from now, but I would have been in stitches if it was for next week. Does anyone know if they allow this option for ANY arrival date - like 4 days from the booking request? I live in a seasonal tourist zone in a remote location and timing is essential when you have a vacancy. Weather changes and local events make bookings within the week fairly normal for me. If my calendar looks full, then I lose out if the group doesn't get their act together.
If anyone knows more about this, I appreciate the feedback.
As it turned out, I asked this guest more specifics about her plans and confirmed it was just going to be a party of 2. She offered to pay in full now (so she had the option of taking the group payment option off on her end). She did this and the booking confirmation was sent within minutes. Then it occurred to me, even though AirBNB now gives a 48 hour "free" cancellation for guests, this "group payment" option can acctually extend this to 4 days, with no penalty to the guest. Even a "couple" might use it for this reason. I suspect all they would need is to have 2 AirBNB accounts set up. Then at the end of the 4 days, they could still pay with one account (like my guest just did). It seems like all downsides of this option are born by the host.
By the way - I have years of experience in the Alaskan lodging business, along with booking my husband's 6 person charter boat. In the old days - when land lines were the only method of booking - I spoke to MANY "groups" who tried to coordinate 6 guys to go on an Alaskan fishing trip together. It was one of my pet peeve's then too. There was always one laggard in the group when I had to get several cc's to get all the deposits - like squeezing blood out of a turnip. It's one of the reasons I sought out a platform like Air BNB, to not have the hassle of waiting, and following up on a booking requests. I think this payment route will get more negative feedback from hosts. I hope AirBNB hears it and responds accordingly.
As a host, I would, at least, want the option to cancel an acceptance of a booking if I could not "wait" the 4 days for their group to pay . . . and not be penalized for this.
