Instant Book among others

[Trish---Duke-The-Pug--an0]

I like the instant book feature and think it increases bookings, but I don't want to allow any Saturday night only bookings.  My understanding is that I can set a 2-night minimum with instant book, but I ONLY want the two-night minimum to apply during the weekends (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) and not during the week when 1 night stays are welcome.  I don't understand why airBnB cannot accommodate this simple feature?  The alternative for me is turning off instant book altogether which then lowers my bookings and thus less money is made all around.  The other thing that is SUPER painful is the ridiculous cancellation policy - if I want to cancel a Saturday night only booking made via instant book I face twenty-to-life in airBnB prison - it makes absolutely no sense.  Lastly, why won't airBnB provide a separate line item for taxes?  We have to pay city lodging taxes in addition to those paid to the state by AirBnB - having to incorporate these taxes in our rate just makes the rate way higher than all the other NON-TAX-PAYING airBnBers out there.  It is inherently wrong and I see NO REASON why a separate line item can't be added for taxes.  VRBO/Homeaway has it as a feature so the fact that airBnB doesn't seems shady to me.  

[Clare0]

@Trish---Duke-The-Pug--an0 Hi there! Yes, you can set minimum night stays for Saturday requests!   Go to your calendar and to the right click on Availability Settings.  There you can set a minimum night stay for specific dates.  I've set 3 night minimums for major holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc. 

With regards to local taxes, I agree 110% with you!  I'm in the same boat...I choose to incorporate in my nightly fee too which causes the tax to be higher and my Airbnb fee as well.  It would seem to be easy to do...just let the hosts put in the percentage required and presto! Done!

So hopefully this will help....and no more Airbnb jail!

[Lizzie]

Hey @Trish---Duke-The-Pug--an0,

Just wondering if you managed to sort this out? It would be great if you could update us.

Thanks again @Clare0 🙂

[Trish---Duke-The-Pug--an0]

Hi Lizzie,

Yes, I found the link where I can set a two-night minimum for Fri/Sat night Instant Book requests - thanks for your help with this.  I still think airBnB's cancellation policy (when a host cancels a reservation) is over the top, and am also still waiting for airBnB to add separate line items for taxes and a Pet Fee like VRBO - there's one for a cleaning fee so why not a pet fee and lodging taxes?

Thanks again for your help.

Trish

[Peg0]

the taxes. I'm a new host and realized AirBnb doesn't help me take care of the lodging tax in Maine. I want my rates comparative also, even in my area with the Vrbo rentals , which as you say does separate the add ons for the renter. Does airbnb receive % based on the total? 

   At this point I will be responding to requests with a special offer message which will inform them of the 9% lodging tax that I guess I will have to collect when they arrive, not what I want to do.  Peg