Reservation Request for too many guests!

[Becka0]

Is there a way to decline a reservation request without being penalized? My house is clearly listed for 6 or less people and the guest sent a request but let me know that they actually have 9 people that they want to stay in the house. It is just too many for the space, which I explained to the guest, but she is still requesting to stay. Is there any way to decline the request without my commitment rate taking a hit?

Any feedback is much appreciated! 

Thanks!!! 

[Jeet0]

Hi @Becka0,

I don't think there's a way. Don't worry about the commitment rate taking a hit. Try not accepting or declining the request and leave it as it is, maybe then it might not reflect on yoir commitment rate. 

Jeet

[Becka0]

Thanks @Jeet0! The problem is Air BnB blocks your calendar for the dates if you dont respond to the inquiry.. I would hope there is a way to decline an unreasonable request without the host being penalized..

[Jeet0]

Hey @Becka0, that's not true. I don't think your calendar gets blocked. If you open your listing without logging in, and check the calendar, the dates would show as available. Could you check? If not, just go ahead and decline, doesn't make a big difference.

Jeet

[Allison2]

You might want to respond from the website, not the mobile app.

At least on desktop, there's a checkbox for "block my calendar" that's marked by default (because they have so many flaky hosts who decline because their own calendar isn't up to date). I don't know that the mobile app has a way to uncheck this (anyone know for sure?)

Be sure to uncheck that before declining & you should be all good. Declining doesn't hurt your search results in the same way that not responding does, so don't sweat doing it - much better to decline than host guests you don't want!

[Sandra126]

The fact that you decline OR accept counts as long as you do it within the time. No way can you accept a larger group that your max. Just hit decline. I would.

[Andrea9]

@Becka0 ( @Jeet0 )

First of all,  if you don't accept or decline a booking REQUEST (not an inquiry), then the dates WILL be blocked. This was implemented by Airbnb this year because too many hosts apparently didn't respond to requests.

Secondly, say no your listing clearly says 6 and not 9. Then choose the decline reason that guests had other requirements (sorrry, can't remember exact wording).

[RobandAnna0]

There is no penalty for declining. You just have to do it within the time frame.