Third Party Booking(s)

[Sarah327]

I have come across third party bookings on numerous occasions. In almost all, before a booking occurs and I have been able to advise on the subject (i.e., point the "guest" to Airbnb's Help Centre).

I now have two exceptions:

- the first made me aware their stay had been booked by a colleague upon arrival/prior to check-in, and after 3 hours and a long conversation with Airbnb, I helped the guest (who was onsite and intended to stay) set up their own Airbnb profile and book correctly.

- the second occurred this week, unbeknownst to me until the "guest's" left me a thank you note signed, "Kath and Tony". Not the name (of "John") the booking was made under.

I believe John is most likely the couple's son and made the booking on their behalf for ease. As is often the case.

However, I feel rather angry that when I greeted "John" and introduced myself, he made no effort to correct or advise me that in fact he was Tony, and continued his stay under false pretences.

It doesn't help matters that the couple arrived, almost an hour early, and were rather rude when told the cottage was not quite ready for them.

Nor that Airbnb, when I contacted them today to make them aware of the third party booking, seemed completely non plused about the situation. I do understand nothing happened, however, had it I would have been left completely unprotected!

I want to ensure I leave a factual review to warn other hosts of the likelihood of a third party booking, but first would appreciate any advice/thoughts of other fellow hosts, who have experienced similar, before doing so.

[Helen744]

@Sarah327 I agree Sarah it is a vexed and constant issue I had hoped that Airbnb for work would have cleared this up by now. I have IB and Somtimes only find this out, as you say on arrival. Some third party bookings could be easily be incorporated into airs model to my way of thinking if Airbnb held the original bookee responsible overall as well as informing both  hosts of all ids of all guests at all times and made sure that communications with the actual guests was open and above board ,that guests are still required to provide a phone number and a contact person or'head of house' is nominated and all guests are provided with acess to all the rules of the house , same as any other guests.Like all guests third parties are just people but also they can be good or bad ,we just need to have airbnb get on board with a few details regarding them . Anyone know about the  Air 'for work' program because for an increasing number of guests to be 'digital nomads' and a whole 'summer release' being literally built around them and their wanderings the surely that program is functioning somewhere. to have these types of workers for a week or two can be very lucrative for all concerned but i certainly have had nothing from workers for over three months which is odd as our city is fairly ringing with them . Where have they gone ? H

[Inna22]

I used to fight with people who had third party reservations and spend long hours on the phone with airbnb.  Airbnbs position as with many other issues is “we please the guest”. If the guest can’t/won’t change the reservation, guest gets a full refund at my expense. 
I now view third party reservations as direct bookings. Would have I accepted a direct booking? Yes. I check IDs from everybody either way. I have my own insurance. Risk of these people doing anything wrong is the same as with any other booking which is minimal. 

The only additional thing I do is make sure to tell the main person that they are financial responsible for anything that happens on behalf of whoever is staying. I hope they will give the actual guest “the talking” to make sure they behave

[David8879]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but the very simple solution (and a legal requirement in a lot of countries) is that guests must be registered with Immigrations Authorities hence either National ID for EU or Passport for ALL guests must be presented before letting into the accommodations. Even if it is not required - it is your right to know if you are about to let your place to the FBI most wanted (not joking)