FREE for under age two - infants - is not a good idea. This is an issue I’ve broached with Airbnb several times before. It appears that Airbnb is more interested in dictating terms for the host than in letting the host act as an independent agent (which we are - we are not employed by Airbnb - do not even receive a 1099... and we assume a lot of responsibility and liability - despite Airbnb’s impression that you offer services including the property damage insurance, etc.,) we, as hosts, assume all the responsibility - and therefore should be given more latitude in several areas including pricing.
My specific complaint is in regard to how Airbnb lists “under age 2” as free. Yes, I know I can as a host charge; and I do. And yes, I know that as a host I should refer to that in my description; and I do (twice). But you can’t deny that it is a negative, not a positive, when a host must inform and educate their prospective, inquiring guest, who is on the verge of reserving, that, “Oh, by the way, I’ll be charging for your under age two child, as well.” This is not something a prospective guest wants to be met with right at the time they’ve already spent an inordiant amount of time (per guests comments to me) - just doing all the paper work with Airbnb and making the request to reserve - and then be met with additional things to do - that cost them more - no - this is not a good policy. The guest has already been pre-disposed to think all and any "infants" are free... Why would Airbnb do this to us, the hosts?
lf AIRBNB would simply standardize the pricing to include EVERYONE - then I’d have that pleasure of informing my guest of the extra perks, “Oh, I see you have an infant with you. May I offer to you the use of a pack ‘n’ play or baby bed for no additional charge?” Now isn’t that more pleasant than the alternative situation that you’ve set up wherein I must instead inform them of extra charges? Wouldn’t our customers be singing our praises if this were the situation instead of the one you currently have set up - wherein it is scripted who is an adult, a child and an “infant” and the pricing for said individuals?
The fact is under age two children cost me just as much as any other age. (and yes I know I can refuse to rent to children...but that is not what I prefer as the home is a family home conducive to family settings...). Infants or under age two year olds do take up space even if the adult brings along his or her own pack ‘n’ play - the furniture gets moved around - (more likely for floors to be scratched). Diapers are produced and often leave a smell in the home; and/or spit up on floors and/or furniture, sticky hands and drippy bottles leaving residue in unusual places like furniture and windows, walls, etc. - - which can be remedied with a good cleaning - which of course I do. And yes I know I could attach extra cleaning charges via the security deposit - but really - this is a negative, also - and I do not want to work via negatives; I want to work via positives. But for you or anyone to conclude that they do not cost me the host anything and therefore should be free is ludicrous.
I want all my guests to be satisfied. Satisfaction is mostly based on expectations. In order to have expectations met one must define the terms - which I’d like Airbnb assistance on instead of interference with. If one goes into a relationship - transaction - with one set of expectations only to be informed - “nope there are some adjustments to that - which, oh by the way, will cost you more” - that is not leading to customer satisfaction. In addition, according to AIRBNB's own terms 7.12 - the host cannot change the price after a reserversation has been requested. but many times i have received suggestions from Airbnb reps to do just that - read your own terms of service regarding pricing issue as well as tax issue wherein your terms suggest doing this through then "Special Offer" feature - which by the way is NOT available after a request has been made - only availalble after it expires and/or when ain "Inquiry" was made - you're not provided access for the very thing you suggest/recommend as a solution, leading the host to act upon the last resort of "declining" the guest and asking them to re-submit indicating total number of guests including the infant... again not a good way to start and maintain a positive relationship.
RE the cutomser service and pricing - Why not just up front your intentions and form better expectations. How does it benefit Airbnb to list under age two as free? I mean really - are you so desperate to compete with motels and hotels you must adopt their policies as well - when it appears to me your best bet is to separate yourself from that image of motel/hotel. Step out on your own - I thought that was what Airbnb was all about - a novel idea carried to extremes. That is one of the things that attracted me to Airbnb. What a novel idea - rent out an air mattress (or anything else) to adventuresome souls. Not surprised it got its start in a progressive city like San Francisco - but I am surprised, and disappointed, how you are succumbing to commercial pressures to conform.
AIRBNB is the one who makes it very clear that we are not their employees - indeed, we, as Hosts, are totally responsible for everything. that they are just a platform for the transaction for which they have the pleasure of a percentage. IF it is true that we are independent contractors, then let us contract with our guests including over the price of those under two or of any age. Pre-set categorizing and pricing from AIRBNB is an interference to our ability to run our business and it should stop; it is NOT a help - and i don't recall being asked if i wanted it. I petition that we stop it now and trust the Hosts to do their jobs!
