Does the $40 new user discount cost host money?

[Lisa1900]

Hello, I received my new user $40 discount code and found a place I'd like to book.  Unfortunately it's about $10 under the minimum required to use the code. My question is whether that $40 comes out of the host pocket or airbnb?  If the host doesn't take a hit, I was wondering if it's possible/reasonable/too weird to contact the host and ask them to raise the rate to the minimun price so I can use the code.  Obviously I don't want to do this if it would actually cost the host money.

[Emiel1]

@Lisa1900 

It's a gift from Airbnb, host will not even notice if you use it as payment for the booking.

I myself (as a host) would not honour such a request, but maybe others do.

You could sent host an inquiry by "contact host' textlink on the listing, explain your wish and host can sent you a "special offer".

Or book an extra night !

Best regards,

Emiel

[Alice595]

@Lisa1900 It is the promotion from Airbnb for new guest and it will not affect host. Just make sure that you find the final cost at the last step before you submit your booking request. There are service fee charged by Airbnb and may be a cleaning fee in addition to the nightly rate you see on the first page of the listing.

[Cheryl389]

I have the impression its from AirBnb so the host gets paid. I have allowed new guests to book with me in the past and I haven't noticed a price issue. New hosts can also issue a discount with their permission to make the booking more attractive and start getting reviews. For me, I allowed a 20% discount to the first three guests, but this happens with our permission and is not mandatory.

[Emilia42]

@Lisa1900 Hosts do not know if a coupon is ever used.

I actually had a thought about doing the same thing (asking the host to raise the price) when my boyfriend was booking with some promotion Airbnb was doing through his credit card. Instead we just booked a second night. But I don't think it is that weird. Just make sure you clearly communicate with the host about why you are asking this so they don't think it is some sort of scam.

[Sarah977]

@Lisa1900  Yes, it's normally guests haggling for a discount- I think most hosts would be shocked to get a request asking if they'd please up the price. But if you explain it, I don't imagine a host would balk.