@Quincy What a great poll to start. From my perspective, its always been appreciated by my guests when they read in my listing that pickup/drop off services are provided (given enough notice of course) for an extra fee. However, for those who are going to the airport early in the morning, we don't charge for them to catch a ride with my husband who is going into work at 5:30am that allows them to get to the airport at the appropriate time and gets him to work on time too. Some have been kind enough to tip my husband bc he also loads their luggage into his surfer van at 5:00am while they enjoy a cup of coffee and muffin with me.
1. Here's what else we do for our guests that stay with us who do not have rental cars. I always give them a 24 hours heads up when I will be driving into the direction of the downtown area for work meetings,( 30 mins away) or run errands, or taking my daughter to dance class. Actually any direction that might help them save money on UBER or time on a public bus. Many of our guests have used this FREE option. Some show appreciation at check out and some don't. But we like to show our Aloha Spirit this way.
2. If a guests is coming from a foreign country, and doesn't rent a car, I will always make my schedule available to help them out because it can be quite taunting and worrisome for guests arriving into the USA for the first time. I arrive with Hawaiian cold bottled water, Hawaiian fruit and Hawaiian chips. (sometimes even a cold beer because they've mentioned to me they love beer.) That surprise is always a big hit. (guess it makes up for the bad airplane food) haha. Some of my arrival times have been at 5:00pm, 6:00am, midnight, and as late as 2:30am. Either way, the smiles on their face is worth me losing some sleep. And yes, I still get up to make breakfast at 7:30am.
3. In Hawaii, we share our love by greeting folks with beautiful fragrant flower lLeis. These airport arrivals give me a chance to do that for our ABB uests. I am actually going to be doing this tomorrow at 7:00am for our Korean Guests but they dont' know it. Mother and daughter are a bit nervous as new folks to Airbnb and first time to USA. I feel this is a great way to decrease their nervousness.
4. If I can't pick up the guests, I always make sure to send them my UBER code $20 which gets them to my house for $20 after the promo code. My guests love this money saving tip as I also share it with their traveling companion to use for another day in Hawaii. I have a LYFT code that I share too. This gives them 4 rides actually.
5. Another service we provide for those who arrive early and want to spend the day sightseeing/beach, is to give them the address to my husband's big boat to drop off their luggage for free and go about enjoying their day. Its only 3 miles from the airport so most just take a bus or UBER / LYFT to get there. This has been a big hit for our guests who can't check in early because I have other guests staying. And my husband brings home their luggage for them at check in time. Its always here when they get here. We even put it into the room for them.
6. I also bought to-go cups for guests to take coffee with them and muffins when they are leaving early on check out day for them to enjoy as my husband or I drive them to the airport especially they don't have time for my sit down breakfast which is always served at 8am. As a superhost, I try to think of any way I can provide great service.
7. I understand everyone's concerns about insurance which is why both of my vehicles are registered under my company name which has business commerical insurance to protect everyone in the vehicle. I agree that hosts should consider this if they are transporting guests to and from airports, train stations, boat piers, etc. Its not required if you take no payment, but we do. Not all the time, but once you take a payment, its considered a business transaction. For those wanting to get around that loophole, then donations can be mentioned in your listing under Transporation Services.
8. Not every host can provide this pick up service, and that's understandable. But I think we all can think of different ways to make it easier on the guests for check in and check out to help them perhaps save money. Thats what makes this ABB community so awesome bc many hosts are doing this. I know a Super host in another country that has a friend who owns a Taxi service and she made a contract deal to provide her guests pickup and drop off service for a special price and she arranges this ahead of time with him to ensure dependable arrival time. And her reviews reflect this great service. I love how she thought about what she could do to get her guests taken care of and arrive safely and no stress to find her place. What a great host.
9. By the way, I have proof that it cost $75 for my guests to take a taxi from the airport to my house, so I charge half of that. And my AC works everytime. haha EDITED TO ADD: I always give a fun mini tour too after I pick them up. No taxi does that. 🙂
10. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share what we do as ABB hosts and hopefully it inspiries another hosts to add to their ABB service by mentioning some of these great options in their listing. There are quite a few hosts who are taking cues from me and other great hosts on how to provide more exceptional service for their guests and adding to their income too. One recently wrote me from Spain telling me that he now charges a half day rate for morning Checks-Ins just like I do. Why not? Its a Win-Win for everyone.
If you feel that me or another host have helped you, feel free to click on the "thumbs up" button at the end of any post. Thank you so much.
Aloha, Momi
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