Days show as blocked when they're not

[Alexandra316]

Hello all,

For July and August, I only rent my vacation property for full weeks, Saturday to Saturday. When you look at my calendar, it shows that every day but Saturday is unavailable. If you click on the Saturday, the calendar does open up and shows that you can book the full week, but it just seems really misleading, and it seems like it would discourage people from even trying to book. I've heard other people complain on the same issue, but has anyone heard that it's a glitch that's going to be fixed, or is it just a really dumb business decision?

I'm discouraged with booking my secondary property through Airbnb. My primary is great, but the secondary is getting no bookings, and this just seems like another nail in its coffin. I just don't get it. I'm getting bookings like crazy on the same property through other sites, and Airbnb is just a complete washout. I think that with properties that are expensive, it's also hard to convince people to book and pay in full this far in advance (right now, 5 months until prime vacation time even starts). I really wish that Airbnb was offering more flexible payment terms like they do on other sites.

Thanks,

Alexandra

The Flat on King

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Alexandra316 it doesn't metter because guests set a date range they want to book and hit "search" button. If they intend to start their trip on saturday and end it at saturday then your listing will show up. Otherwise will not.

[Alexandra316]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 But what if they're flexible? They want to book a week, but they would consider Friday to Friday, Saturday to Saturday, Sunday to Sunday? I'd think that's pretty common, especially as most places in my resort community book that way: it's a destination, not somewhere you stay while you're doing other things.

When I use Airbnb personally, I often take a look at what's available without entering dates.

Again, what's being done is obviously not working, because I'm getting bookings elsewhere but not through Airbnb.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Alexandra316 well if they are searching that way they will soon realize what does it mean if they can click on saturday only. You are probably not the only one with such setting, it is common for such destinations as yours.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

p. s. @Alexandra316

The Pay Less Upfront Feature allows Guests to pay a portion of a booking’s Total Fees at the time of booking and pay the remainder of the Total Fees at a later time prior to check-in. 

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/help/article/1696/pay-less-upfront-terms

[Alexandra316]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 Yes, BUT Airbnb only offers it on select stays of their choosing. On other sites like HomeAway, the owner makes that choice.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Alexandra316 are you sure? Bc I found this:

• To qualify, the total stay must be $250 or more, and be booked at least 14 days from the check-in date.
• It is available to guests booking anywhere in the world, with the exception of Brazil, China, and India.

[Alexandra316]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 I just got my sister to try it on my listing, and it didn't work; it's not offered. She couldn't have tried to book less than 14 days in advance, because the property doesn't open until May.

[Alexandra316]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 As is typical with Airbnb's policies, it's about as transparent as a wood door: "The Pay Less Upfront Feature is available to Guests for eligible bookings when they pay with certain Payment Methods. If your booking is eligible for the Pay Less Upfront Feature, the Airbnb Site, Application or Services (collectively, the “Airbnb Platform”) will notify you during checkout."

They don't spell out what qualifies as a "certain payment menthod", or what makes it eligible. Basically it just says that if they feel like offering it to you, they'll let you know.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Alexandra316 yes, I found this sentence too , ah...  😞

You have good experience with VRBO ?

[Alexandra316]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 With my premium property, yes, business is good. With my main Airbnb, not so much so far. I expect more business in the summer, when the area is generally busier.

[Lizzie]

Hello @Alexandra316 and @Branka-and-Silvia0, 

To come back to you on what is covered by "Certain Payment Method" this refers to payments being made by either Credit Card or PayPal. To add, if it is possible to book the reservation via Pay Less Upfront, this option will appear in the Checkout page of the booking. 

There is some more information outlining this in this Help Center article: Can I split the cost of my reservation across multiple payments?

I hope this helps.

Lizzie