Can we block guests from coming again?

[Donald28]

Honestly, there's some guests that I wouldn't want to stay in my airbnb again. They always say... "we'll be back when we are in the area". BUt, some people just aren't a good fit. Especially, the ones who leave bad feedback and less than 5 stars. Why would they want to come back and why would we as hosts want them back to leave us another less than great review? 

Airbnb really pushes hosts to use instant book but that feature leaves hosts with zero ability to prescreen guests. 

Is there a way to block people from instant booking? If there isn't, there should be. 

[Alexandra316]

@Donald28 Unfortunately, the only way to prevent someone from booking with you is by reporting them. See https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/2020/how-do-i-report-a-message-or-block-someone-on-airbnb for details on how to do that.

[Donald28]

Thanks but the way this reads is that even if you block a guest from essaging you, they can still use instantbook and book your place. Does everyone else read it that way. 

"If you block someone, they won’t be able to send you messages, send you a reservation request, or accept a reservation request from you."

It sounds like I'll be leaving a lot more 3's in my reviews of the people I don't care to host again. 

[Alexandra316]

@Donald28 I think it's the way you're reading it. They can't book with you if you flag them: they are essentially "dead to you".

[Tiffany189]

I just had someone whom I blocked book again through instant booking.

[Joan2709]

@Tiffany189 

Yes...another reason to turn off Instant Book.

The new "Block a Guest" option is not working. Even though the Help Article says clicking the "Block a Guest" button will prevent future bookings...it doesn't. We had the same problem using the Block a Guest feature, but fortunately we don't use Instant Book. We were able to decline the request a 2nd time (we had already tried to block guest after the first request). We then blocked them using the old method. "Flag this message" and/or "Flag this profile". 

Block a Guest in Message Thread

Hover over message

Click 3 dots

Choose Report This Message

Report Guest Profile

Click Guest Profile Photo

Scroll to Bottom

Choose Report [Guest Name]

[Myra-Desiree0]

Yes, I agree! Instant book is a no go for me. They cancelled, we charged a fee and want it back. That diesn’t Work for me 

[Patrick2694]

This is really stupid

[Tiffany189]

Right?! I have instant booking on as I manage many units and it is helpful to me. I shouldn’t have to turn on that feature for blocked guests to not be able to rebook. A blocked guest should be blocked otherwise what the heck is the point.

[Joan2709]

Yup...agree with you. Since the block a guest feature isn't working, then the only options until Airbnb fixes it is to:

1. Use the old way of doing it by flagging the message/profile (screen shots shown) or

2. Turn off Instant Book 

You can provide feedback to Airbnb that the block a guest feature doesn't work as well.

[Sharon807]

We had a very nice guest stay with us but he was really noisy (coughing and moving around his room all night) I couldn’t sleep. This is the only time I’ve had this issue. I don’t want to give him a bad review but I don’t want to host him again. He is a bad fit for our space. We really need a way to be able to block unsuitable guests without giving them a bad review. He could be a wonderful guest for another space!

[Patrick2694]

It's incredible they don't give us this control over our own business. Right to refuse service is essential to operating a business. I can't book to customers that cause problems, but these guests do not always deserve a negative review.

[Helen3]

What do you mean @Patrick2694 ? - of course you're in control . Why aren't you ticking the I wouldn't host again button when you review a guest. You can just do a neutral one.

and of course you can block a guest from contacting you on the platform.

[Patrick2694]

I've ticked it 3 times for this particular guest and he continues booking

[Helen3]

If you've ticked wouldn't host again and you've blocked the host on airbnb messenger as I suggested I am not sure how this is happening. Ask Airbnb to cancel penalty free @Patrick2694