How do you handle last-minute booking requests?

[Elisa]

Hello everyone😊,

I hope your week is going well.

Today, I would love to hear how you handle last-minute booking requests. I know it can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase flexibility and excellent service.

By staying responsive and adaptable, you can turn last-minute requests into positive experiences that build your reputation as a thoughtful host.

I’m curious to know, how do you handle last-minute bookings?

Share your tips with other hosts in the comments!

Wishing you a great day,
Elisa 🌻

[Kelly2345]

I’m always very excited to get a last-minute booking request and I always accept the request in book the house. Have a wonderful day

[Peace-Stays0]

Wow that's 👍 @Kelly2345 

[Elisa]

Hi @Kelly2345 😊, 

Thank you for commenting here!

Why are you always so excited? What aspect do you enjoy the most about it?

Warm regards 🌻

[Kelly2345]

I get excited for any reservation I get because I love the opportunity to try and exceed the guests expectations. I personally have done some last-minute trips, and I love the spontaneity so it’s allowing me to capture the true essence of that. Of course I’m in the business to make money as well and then it is also money in the bank

[Kimberly1231]

If the house is vacant, it will be clean and ready to go.  We have self check in, so the only thing we have to do is send a manual message, because the late booking usually over-rides our automated messaging. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Kimberly1231 😊, 

Thank you for letting us know!

You have a great approach to that. Have you ever experienced a situation where the house wasn’t ready yet?

Warm regards 🌻

[Kelly2345]

I have not had that situation happen as I have a wonderful cleaning company I’ve partnered with  that comes in and is sure to have it done before the next check-in at four. And they do an amazing job. I also have my next-door neighbor as my house manager, so she is there if the need should arise right next-door

[Ketan21]

Hi Elisa,

hope you are also doing well!

Last minute bookings are always a cherry on a cake moment. We wait the whole day for booking and when we get it on the last minute it’s always a great deal to close. I love the notification sound of airbnb, may it be last moment or the advance one. I be responsive for the last minute bookings and help the booker with directions and also ask caretaker to keep the place clean in advance for a better experience, may it be late night i always provide booker the place to stay, this type of gesture makes a good connection between the customer for future bookings too. 

have a good day! 

[Elisa]

Hi @Ketan21 😊, 

thank you so much for sharing this here!

Have you ever received a last-minute booking in the middle of the night? How did you manage it? I suppose you were sleeping? 

Warm regards 🌻

[Karen4309]

We rarely have them because we usually have repeat clients.  I did learn a lesson in accepting a "last minute" booking last year.  I did not sufficiently vet the client's background, and they left our home in terrible condition and claimed the disaster was because "someone must have broken in after we left".  If a last minute booking is not a known client, be sure the person(s) has a track record with AirBNB and at least a few host recommendations.   With last minute bookings, you do not have the benefit of pre-check in conversations to get a well-grounded feeling for the prospective guests.

[Peace-Stays0]

@Karen4309 100 % agree be cautious of last minute bookings as people act smart and if you get mischievous people chaos creating or terrible condition can be your plate.

Be good Host but take care of self too.

Regards

Vikram 

[Elisa]

Hi @Karen4309 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing this here!

I’m sorry about what happened to you, but as you said, you’ve learned how to deal with it.

Have you had any other bad experiences with last-minute reservations since then?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Julian2121]

We always prepare for the next booking as soon as guests check out. So in theory a last minute booking shouldn't be an issue.

But in practice, we tend to block off any unbooked days as we reach them to avoid last minute surprises.

[Kim4581]

We have done this a time or two. We want to be ready for people, but we also have a life. @Julian2121