Thanks to everyone who tried to answer the question, and yes Rebecca, that is exactly what I'd like to know: How can you apply? I'm going to take the time next week to call Customer Service and see what they will do.
Some background on me: I'm an artist and I work with an East Coast museum that has a large Native American collection. I'm helping them organize a trip this year to Santa Fe for Indian Market; I collect and support younger artists and I volunteer for a lot of arts related programs both at home and in Santa Fe. One of the reasons I bought my little house is because it had historical roots that spoke to me: its former owner in the 1900's was a man who was the first director of the NM Art Museum and a well known painter. He used the house to host traveling artists.
AirBNB has unilaterally decided to change the cancellation policies hosts are allowed to offer (which guests are free to accept or not, so no one is twisting their arm if they chose super strict, they can purchase travel insurance which many do for expensive vacations or book another property with a less strict policy) but AirBNB is allowing some hosts to offer stricter policies. This seems at odds with trying to treat everyone fairly in a hosting economy.
I offer the best of everything, from sheets to shampoo, great wifi, custom printed cards, usually a welcome bottle of wine or flowers, a personable friend who greets them, a guide to all the art in our home and how and where to find it. I help them plan their trips if they want help.
Rob ... I read your bio. You sound like a great host with a guest studio. You're retired. I'm sorry to hear about your wife's health. Your situation is very very different from mine. I'm disappointed you needed to post something so judgemental, so personal. But yes, I did sound angry.
AirBNB is not the company it was, it is a very big business that is making serious money. Over the past two years it has become very stat driven, constantly hectoring hosts to lower their prices. And, they definitely changed the landscape for people like myself who own one very special property they wanted to share. They also encouraged Santa Fe to offer 750 new short term rental permits when there used to be just 350 of them which created a lot more competition. I had a legal short term rental. I paid my taxes. It's been a bit hard to deal with a global company that decided to alter the economic reality of my hosting experience.
The company has also been very quick to support guest rights. This is important when it comes to issues like Fair Housing and non-discrimination. I just think they need to think a little more carefully about treating all their hosts with the same care, with the same transparency, and fairness.