Won't let me book because apparent "Party Risk" ??

[Steven1487]

Age 30, residing in WI. Trying to book a home for 2 nights to see family in LA, CA. Keep getting denied for party risk... I don't understand, I thought I meet the criteria to not have this issue... Am I missing something?

[Linda793]

Your account is brand new. That’s a red flag for parties, and if it’s a big house. 

What criteria are you referring to ? 

You’ll have to call support. 

[Steven1487]

Thanks for the response. I've had an account for years, but have only hosted. Other people in my groups made the reservations for Airbnbs I've traveled to in the past. Regardless, I do agree with you I could see that as being an issue, but after speaking with support they didn't say anything about my account being a limiting factor. Only the group size as a "potential reason for the algorithm." I asked for any definitive actions or solutions I could pursue, but they didn't have any answers other than recommending hotels and private rooms...

[Helen744]

@Steven1487 did you try to do instant book or an inquiry to the host. ?Talk to the host and explain who will be staying and that this is a family event , not a party event . If the host generally hosts larger numbers then they should have a process.,. it could be because you have no previous reviews, or have not had a conversation with the host or have not advised the host of an answer to any host questions. Read the listing carefully ... H

[Steven1487]

Good questions. I did in fact speak with the host, and they were more than happy to host my family and I. Unfortunately, they didn't know of anything to try differently on their end to allow the booking attempts to process. I even tried, with the hosts permission, selecting only 8 people as the group size when attempting to book and was still denied.

Clicking the "learn more" link on the party risk pop-up, it mentioned something along the lines of the booking being short notice as potential concern. It's a whole month away though so I'm guessing that's just generic info.

At this point, I'm assuming it's due to lack of reviews as a guest like ya'll have suggested, despite Airbnb support ambassadors saying otherwise. I've given up and our family is getting separate hotel rooms. It is what it is. Maybe I'll give Vrbo a try instead.

[Bhumika]

Hi @Steven1487 , 

I just wanted to drop this link that talks about party risk in case you wanted to explore further : Reservation screening – potential party risk . I hope it sheds some light on your situation.

[Steven1487]

Spoke with Airbnb's customer service, and was informed because its a group size of 12 people the algorithm has a high potential to flag reservation as party risk, despite my age, location, and the listing stating it accommodates 16+ people. So I tried rebooking with only 8 people and I'm still getting flagged for party risk. I don't understand.

[Alexandra1881]

Did you ever find a solution? @Steven1487 

[Mary1523]

Hi Steven

The Algo is still picking up not what you request, but the size of the house so even if you chose 2 people, it will still pick you up. It thinks you might book for 2 then have 40 uninvited people there!

And booking less than a month out will also flag it. Group bookings usually have much longer time spans to book, like with my large property, it averages 3-6 months before. 

It could also be something to do with the host property, perhaps someone in the comments talked about parties, or its an area thats known for parties. The Algo probably gets external data inputs (well i would be sourcing that if I was airbnb). I'm also surprised an airbnb property can advertise greater than 16, 16 is the maximum.

Did you try someone else in your group just booking? That's the workaround i recommend to my guests when I hit this issue.

I have learnt that the Algo is just that, an algo, not based upon set rules that someone can get around, but a multitude of things. Nothing can be done to get around it.

Kind regs Mary

[Taylor698]

I’m having the same problem 

[Rosa4133]

same here… been with them about 4 years and many bookings… these last two months i’ve gone with hotels because airbnb suspects a party and i have no bad reviews to my knowledge

[Sharlene45]

Same issue! I’ve been booking with Airbnb for 8 years, I’ve booked plenty of times this year and last, I don’t have any bad reviews, I tried booking a 2 bedroom apartment for 2 people and was denied because of a party risk as well. The hosts can’t do anything, Airbnb customer service is outsourced in another country and they can’t do anything…the representative said it’s basically an algorithm. My husband tried on his account and he was denied as well. Does anyone know …What in the world is going on?! 

oddly when I tried booking on my husbands account, the listing was $200 cheaper. I’m pretty disappointed since I’ve been using Airbnb almost every other month 

[Mary1523]

Hi

Sounds strange. Usually its large properties, or the fact you are local or that it's very close to the arrival date and usually because you are younger than the normal guest bookings. However it also could be something to do with the property you are trying to stay at, rather than you. Could be something in reviews or in the comments or in the area known for parties? 

Did you try another property similar or near by and have same issue? 

Andby the way, re pricing, there is such a thing as smart variable pricing for hosts where the system picks the pricing dependetn upon demand, booking patterns etc. I don't use it myself but airbnb doesn't know you have access to 2 accounts with different rating profiles. 

Sounds like a right pain either way given you've been a loyal airbnb user. Would be worth contacting airbnb to see what they say, would love to hear their answer given you don't seem to fit the usual profile of who would be flagged. But it is an algo, at the end of the day, not a list of criteria.

Kind regs

Mary

[Blair149]

I've just experienced the sane/similar issue. I've had an Airbnb act for a year, I attempted to reserve a 3 bedroom/5 bed home for 2 adults and 3 children. Basically, my request for reservation aligns exactly with the listing's offer

However, and to my surprise, I was denied because the algorithm flagged me as a "unauthorized Party" risk.

Understanding that computers aren't perfect, I reached out to customer support. Of course, no one spoke with me.  I simply received an email indicating that after review, Airbnb was upholding it's decision because I create a party risk. What kind of customer service is that? At least have a conversation to understand the context, then rule out a decision.

Apparently, It's more convenient to simply deny a request via electronic notification than to have verbal conversation with a human being. Minority Report comes to mind.

Anyway, I'm not looking for a resolution on here, I'm simply ranting, as I can relate to the frustration of others on here.