@Inna22 @Paul154 @Stephanie
Inna, I'm interested by your comment: 'you can ask the main guest to add the staying party to the reservation'.
It's not clear to me on what basis you make this comment? At least it seems to require some context
Paul rather evidently read-out the Riot Act (if we may call it that in response to "pains in the butt") and Stephanie encouraged Dora to highlight it as 'Best Answer'.
Airbnb 'Help' spells out:
'We require Airbnb reservations booked for personal travel to be booked by the person who's going to stay at the listing.'
This 'Personal' is in marked contrast to 'Work' or 'Business Accounts':
'Airbnb allows designated people at companies enrolled in Airbnb for Work to book business trips on behalf of other people—these people are called bookers'
However... and I would stand corrected, under 'Terms' I can't find a clear simple ruling for 3rd Party Bookings. I've searched periodically, and it could be that I've simply developed a blind spot.... If that's the case, please help me out!
The only sentence that's drawn my attention is under 'Prohibited Activities' currently, 6th point:
: 'unless Airbnb explicitly permits otherwise, book any Listing if you will not actually be using the Host Services yourself'.
This ubiquitous probhibition prima-facie creates the impression that one can get Airbnb permission for a 3rd Party booking.
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In practise, I've found Airbnb to have an ambiguous attitude to personal 3rd Party bookings. The ambiguity is in the attitude and approach of individual Customer Services. Some will flatly state no 3rd PB. Others will for better words 'work with it' or attempt to 'massage' the situation, depending on circumstances. The most explicit response I've received is along the lines,
'Yes, you can if you want, with best advice to ensure via the messaging system that "the booker accepts liability in all eventuality".'
The most overt example I can recall was only last year, when I was actually contacted by CS to rescue a last-minute cancellation by another Host. CS phoned on behalf of a French Guest who had booked for his daughter and two of her girlfriends for a few days. -- It's not unusual for me to receive such rescue calls as I do same-day bookings. But I also won't accept blindly, no IB for me, full stop. ,Therefore, as is my habit, I asked CS to request the Guest contact me directly.
The father did so, and when I mentioned the 3rd PB issue, he reiterated Airbnb were sanctioning it because of the unfortunate situation of the last minute cancellation.
I replied that his response was just a digression, and did not mask the fact of the initial 3rd PB. I further cut to the chase by simply inquiring if his daughter was of an age to have her own account?
He replied 'Yes'. So I kindly asked him to get her to open her own account in order to make the booking. Moreover, I was quite keen on taking this booking, because the father seemed perfectly fine and understanding, he was also a new host himself, and everything pointed to his daughter & friends as potentially normal good guests.
The father agreed it was the best solution and would so a.s.a.p.....
I never heard from the father again, and after a few days, checked his profile, to see a lovely review by another Host close by. So the booker obviously just hopped to the next one, who didn't have any qualms or knowledge of 3rd PB rule... all with the blessing of Airbnb.
This case is far from unusual judging by the numerous 3 PB Reviews I've come across in perusal of other Host & Guest profiles. Indeed, in practise it seems quite permissive.
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I've hosted for 6 years. In the first few years I had very few requests for 3PB, just a hand full. I accepted them all, and don't recall if there was even a rule against it? Of these few, they generally passed well, or with minor problem. no more or less than any other booking.
The last 3-4 years there were gradually more and more 3BP requests.
Unfortunately, I was deceived on a number of occasions by undisclosed bookings. They all proved problematic, with me having to ask one to leave, and another thankfully cutting his visit. They have also always led to negative Reviews and low star ratings, and thankfully too, I managed to have 3 deleted, though not without considerable time and effort in pursuit of Customer Services.
The only ones I even entertain nowadays is if the Booker will actually arrive in person with his/her charge. This is effectively a local with a member of their family or a friend.
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Finally, I would just reiterate, if someone can point out in T&C an explicit rule contra 3rd Party Booking, I would be most grateful.
Otherwise, if it does not exist, then perhaps it should be suggested to Airbnb Law Department to align
with Help' guideline: 'We require Airbnb reservations booked for personal travel to be booked by the person who's going to stay at the listing.'
More significantly, if a rule exists or is to be drawn up, then it should not just be buried in T&Cs, but be front of eye-line for Guests in booking process, likewise Hosts in acceptance.
