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. 

[Kelly149]

@Donald28 Don't feel bad about the report feature, ABB clearly doesn't do much with that feature but it is your one way of not re-hosting guests you don't want to have again.

So, in the message thread, click the Report, then Other, then it will ask 'do you want to Block?' 

yes, yes you do

I utilize this often for guests who review badly and/or for attitude that doesn't seem enjoyable to have back.

[Katie449]

When I tried to block a guest using the message thread and your instructions, the option was not given.

[Jean4929]

Does it affect your Superhost status if you block?

[Kris60]

I took off instant book last yr-hasnt affected me a bit. I want to pre-approve everyone. I dont host alot so it works for me. There is a previous guest that I really dont want back and if he was to inquire, I will politely decline him. However, I do not see why anyone would re-book the same place if there were issues and a low rating. 

[Dianna17]

Sometimes they don’t see an issue with themselves but some people are not a good fit. Mine is a local issue. I’m tired of locals booking me for one night stands. This is still my house.

[Helen3]

You could try having a minimum two. Night stay ?  @Dianna17 

[Dianna17]

Thats an idea but I have in the past had travelers stay two nights or tourists. I wish I could do that with the locals. 

[Inna31]

So agree! Same here. They are always a hazard.  And not only for one night, but any last moment booking for the same day reservation for one or few days. Now I am still having instant booking but requested government ID verified, do not do last moment discounts, and the best thing I did - 7 days ahead reservation request. So now, if I have 7 nearest days open it will require guest to send me a request for any of those 7 days, other than that it will be instant booking. I always can find a reason do not accept the reservation. Those locals do not plan more than 1 day ahead. Only once I had a not local person booking the same day.

[Tanya194]

I just reported a want-to-be guest because she doesn't have any reviews on her profile, and though our listings are set to book only to reviewed guests, I guess it still allows the viewer to see the listing.

This particular guest is basically harassing me via airbnb text and has done so all day. So I clicked report her, and expected to see the block gesture thereafter but it never offered block as an option.

We have been lucky with our guests and only had a few bad ones, and they were all non reviewed prior to booking. So, non reviewed is not an option.

I think I'll set my airbnb to request booking only. They either need to give hosts control of their booking or expect hosts to take control by other means.

[Dianna17]

Totally agree. I have requests such as; reasons for visit etc. they go right around it. Yesterday a young girl instant  booked me then said she was on her way. It was 2 hours before check in. I explained it was at 3:00pm and she disagreed so I screen shot the listing. She shows up on the check in time in her bed clothes. 

I wanted to stop the instant book reservation  but would have got penalized and lost my superhost and received a $100 fine?????? 

It was as expected! I had a unsanitary mess to clean up and I was angry and frustrated. 

Something needs done.

[Donald28]

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@Dianna17 wrote:

I wanted to stop the instant book reservation  but would have got penalized and lost my superhost and received a $100 fine?????? 

I don't think you are fined or lose superhost status by simply turning off instant book. I did it with no backlash like that. I'm pretty sure you are mistaken. 

[Dianna17]

Everytime I go to turn off my instant booking it gives me a message as though my listing will be placed at the bottom. Just makes it sound like you are placed in the dog house for choosing to do so. 

[Donald28]

I have been off instant book for quite a while now and I love it. Having say over who comes and when they come is monumental. I do not want people just showing up unnannounced like they did when I had instant book. I don't feel as if my listing has slowed down due to the fact. 

[Michelle2464]

I agree,

I did this about 6 months ago in advance of the opening season after the closures we had due to COVID, and it's the best, ABB keeps suggesting I switch back, but no way.  I've been able to weed out weirdos or odd requests. I am thankful this option is available now, especially here in Chile where certain regions were closed off to others where guests couldn't cross county lines but wanted to either way to get away, as it would get us in trouble if they were found out, so it was a nice option to be able to screen and refuse to ensure our safety and longevity.

[Vicki37]

I called on that message saying my listing would go to the bottom, the rep told me not to worry. I kept my Super Host and am happily off instant book.

Nothing changed. The rep was a host also and agreed he did not like instant book.