The guests is a company checking-in for their clients

[Kedar2]

Hi everyone, 

We have a booking for next week. The guests is a company with no reviews as yet, they're in events and have ten guests from China who will be staying at our place. I have asked for IDs and he sent them to me by email which is fine. However when I mentioned I would be there to do the check-in and receive the guests, he said they wouldnt have time to check-in because they have an activity packed day, and that a colleague of his will do the check in for him. I havent found any information on the company, website, address or anything. Could you tell me if this is normal and what I should do?

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Kedar2 uh, not good...

First of all if you always meet your guests and have a reason to do it, then they should obey it. You are the property owner and you set the rules, not your guests ! 

Third party bookings can be done but just in case when a company book for it's employees. Those employees have to make their own accounts and those accounts have to be linked to the company account. It is described here: https://www.airbnb.com/third-party-booking

You should contact Airbnb and let them contact this company and sort this out. You can contact ABB here: https://www.airbnb.com/help/contact_us#/

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Kedar2

It sounds like a small (maybe not even properly registered) travel agent made the booking for a package tour group - not good!!! I would suggest you do what @Branka-and-Silvia0 recommend. Good luck~!

[Helen3]

I agree with @Branka-and-Silvia0

Bookings with Airbnb can only be made a) with a registered guests b) with a registered business partner.

If the person who booked is neither, then it's a third party booking and against Airbnb's rules.

Give them a call now, let them know you are uncomfortable the booking and don't want a third party checking in.

[Kedar2]

Thank you for your help guys, I contacted Airbnb on the 17th explaining the situation, to see what steps I should take now. 

Its been a few days now and Ive received no response from Airbnb, theyre still "looking into it". The problem is now there are three days left for the guests to arrive, and if I cancel I do cancel, they should get enough time to make alternative arrangements, be it against rules or not, they should not have their holiday ruined, its unethical. Do you think I should still wait for Airbnb to "appear" or should I contact the guest and cancel the reservation? Thanks again!

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Kedar2

I think you should contact them again. I haven't had to contact Airbnb often, but it seemed that if there is no response within 24hrs, then they have dropped the ball and I need to contact them again to make sure my issue didn't fall through the cracks. Good luck! 

Make sure Airbnb understands that you will NOT accept 3rd party reservations - and you will turn these guests away if they show up on your doorstep. 

[Marit-Anne0]

@Kedar2

If you have already accepted/approved this booking, I cannot see how you are able to back out at this stage.  Would have been different with an Instant Book, not so easy with an accepted booking request.