I remember watching some of the Q&A/Update videos from 2016-2018 that were posted on the Airbnb website and I got the feeling there is a select group of hosts in the US that are/were polled about various topics. This is purely speculation, but my bullsh*t meter thinks they are/were invited to Airbnb events and wined-and-dined (in order to influence them), and are/were not a representative sample of US hosts, much less hosts worldwide.
2 Likes
I think your BS meter is working properly. Probably the suck-up “I just love Airbnb” hosts who attended “listening sessions”. One host from Dublin, who has been quite vocal in her exposes of Airbnb’s illegal and nefarious dealings, told me that after asking some quite pointed questions at one of those meet-ups, and not accepting the corporate-speak answers given, that one of the big muckedy-mucks who was leading the session was visibly annoyed with her and snubbed her at every subsequent encounter they had.
1 Like
For Pete’s sake! I am both a guest and a host and this is the first time I’m hearing about this! I’ve probably been a guest over 25 times and been a host over 150 and this is the first I’ve heard of this!
I’m on the Airbnb app just about every day so I don’t know how it is I missed getting notified about this. Can anyone help me out and tell me where to find the notification so I can opt out of this feature? I do not like former guests being solicited on my behalf to contribute money. While I know some of them could easily afford to make a contribution, I know many others could not. You don’t see hotels going back and soliciting previous guests for money! This is just outrageous that Airbnb would do this, especially without the host’s permission!
You can’t opt out of the kindness cards, but you can opt out of the guest contributions.
On the desktop website, go to Account->Payments and Payouts->Guest Contributions and you’ll see a switch to turn it off.
2 Likes
I received two very sweet kindness cards and I was very grateful for both.
1 Like
Thank you, Brian. I have not been using the desktop AirBnB site, only the one on my iPad. I’ve not had access to my desktop computer for several months because I’m living separate from my family due to the virus. My husband is a long distance truck driver, so he can’t quarantine and I have just about every risk factor there is for having a poor outcome if I catch the virus.
I’ll see if I can find it on my iPad. Thanks!
Would you please remind me where to turn off the “guest contributions button” please? I’ve done it once but never imagined that it can be turned on again by Airbnb. Thanking you in advance!
Look three posts above yours. It is explained.
Have just found the reply to my question. Thanks for having brought the problem with the “guests contributions” button. Mine is always in the Off position.
My iPad doesn’t show a tab for Guest Contributions.
I do have a Donations tab through, and I am appalled to find no way to opt out of it!
You have to do it through a web browser, not the app.
Think globally Dear Hosts, My family traveled through southern Africa last year, staying mostly at Airbnbs. We stayed at a wonderful Airbnb near the Great Zimbabwe world heritage site and were delighted to get a reminder that we could send a gift of support to the family that provided a great experience for us.
We also helped some old friends start an Airbnb and cultural exchange program in Harare, Zimbabwe and continue to cohost, so we know with certainty that business is completely dead there. Across the developing world there are hosts in deeper trouble than any we can imagine in the U.S. and I appreciate the reminder of a small way to give back.
2 Likes