Places appearing unavailable when user didn't reply on book request

[Lucio182]

Several times I've tried to book a place and when the host doesn't reply to the request after 24 hs, the request get expired right? but the problem is that the place gets locked for that same dates period (same exact dates period) for a long time, i.e. it's been more a week and the place is still blocked for that same dates. So I (in fact nobody) can't send another request. It already happened to me 4 times, with different places.

I don't know if this is a bug or what.. I thought airbnb would release the soft hold 24 hs after the expiry. It's a shame places got blocked that much time when a user doesn't reply to a booking request..

[Shelley159]

@Lucio182 

I'm sorry that you've experienced so many hosts that don't reply on time. I think it's a good thing that the dates remain blocked so those places can't get booked - responding on time is one of the most important hosting tasks. I hope you soon find a place with a responsive host!

[Lucio182]

well 24 hs is not a lot of time..specially that I'm trying to book almost an year in advance.

if you ask me it's also bad for the guests not only for the hosts. the hosts just miss the opportunity to earn the stay. the guest (me and others) has now to look for other places, usually more expensive, or maybe not the perfect one in terms of beds, location, etc.

And when the city / location doesn't have a lot of accommodation to look for, whether hotels or b&b, is kinda hard to find alternatives in the same price range and location..

Is is possible to the host to unlock it if I message him/her?

[Karen114]

@Lucio182  If it was a request to book,  yes,  their calendar will be blocked for the dates you requested.  Really no excuse for the host not to respond in a 24 hour period so that is their punishment. 

I have experienced Air messages telling me my calendar will be blocked within minutes if I don't accept or decline the request. I have of course responded to the guest however  sometimes I am coordinating with my housekeepr to make sure the place is clean or will be clean in enough time before I accept.  

[Lucio182]

@Karen114 Is is possible to the host to unlock it if I message him/her?

It's not so easy to find airbnb in some places within the same price range. maybe the guy didn't see the email, I don't know..seems kinda excessive to block the stay if you didn't reply for only a day..

[Bhumika]

Hi @Lucio182 , did you eventually hear back from the host, or have you booked another stay elsewhere?

[Lucio182 · Accepted solution]

I didn't want to take the chance to wait (I mean about the risk of losing the places that I could afford) so I had to book in other (less convenient) places.

PS: I'll be traveling to a lot of cities next year in Europe so the annoying of this is it happened me a lot, it wasn't the kind of a one-time problem (I blocked like 4 - 5 places just in a week X)

[Shelley159]

@Lucio182 

You could select the Instant Book filter, then you don't have to wait for a host to approve your stay.

[Bhumika]

That's a nice tip @Shelley159 ! Thank you for sharing 🌻

@Lucio182 have you started using the instant book filter while searching for a stay? 

[Lucio182]

@Shelley159 Thanks for the tip, I know, but that reduces a lot of available listings since there are very few hosts that accepts instant booking, so I never filter out by that option. In my experience, only people that run a business out of their places and/or property managers use it.

Anyway, the question was already answered, and the answer is that Airbnb "penalizes" hosts that don't reply in 24 hs by blocking that dates "forever". Of course is debatable (you can see it in the comments) whether that is a good or a bad idea.

[Karen114]

@Lucio182  I suppose what you could do is try different dates for the same property and in the message let them know your intended dates. I get this a lot as well when a guest is trying to message me, they put other dates in. 

I know myself when I have an inquiry I get a text message, channel message as well as email message from Airbnb on the host side. 
I find it hard to believe the host is missing these messages altogether. Seems strange. What do their reviews look like ? 

[Frances3408]

@Lucio182. Hi Lucio, the host is usually able to unblock the dates after 24 hours their end if they have responded. I have this happen to me in the opposite when the request to book booker doesnt respond to any of my messages (as they invariably have not switched messages on!) so it lapses. I prefer not to decline someone hastily.

So as soon as I unblock those dates they book again. Some hosts if its the end of a busy season are fatigued, unavailable, disorganised or just dont really want the business at that time.

Best to keep searching for other places who do want your business.

[Robert375]

There are many reasons a host may not respond in 24hrs. In my case, I was traveling and the message was delayed while I crossed the border - I never received the notification as a result. The booking was a good match and the guest very much wanted the place long term. I was blocked from contacting the guest and the guest was blocked from contacting me. Airbnb's policy can be harsh and I understand that they exist for a reason, though I do not think that blocking both guests and hosts from communicating after 24hrs is beneficial to anyone, especially if the host is a superhost in which case they should be given the benefit of the doubt. Am I wrong?

[Lucio182]

I think the same. Also, from my point of view, blocking stays not only prejudice hosts (which for that matter I understand Airbnb's posture is "you deserve it"), but it prejudice hosts for worst, because blocking stays for those dates creates less offer for places in that particular location, and with automatic pricing (lot of hosts set this), prices will increase because of a now scarce offer of places. So guests have to pay more because of some hosts that couldn't reply in 24 hs, kinda insane...

[Joelle43]

Hello @Lucio182 

Another reason why you might be experiencing a lack of response on behalf of hosts is the fact that you have given the bare minimum under your profil - there is just an email address that's it!  There's a whole section that you can fill out about your interests so that hosts get a better idea of who they are renting their place to.

You have no reviews either so you are not eligible for Instant booking if a host has ticked the box that requires a guest to have a good track record.

Booking on Airbnb is very much based on trust - this is true for hosts as well so filling out our profil information  is important for both parties.  The more information you give to a prospective host, the more likely they are to accept your reservation request.

Good luck planning your upcoming trip!

All the best

Joëlle