Dear fellow hosts, I need your guidance, please. While I’ve been a host for a while, I’m at a loss as how to send an invitation to book or how to send a special offer. Here’s the scenario: I’ve blocked a few weeks in 2020 on the request of a previous guest who requested my two apartments for the guest and his in-laws but who was not yet ready to purchase the flights. Now the guest and in-laws are ready to book because they have booked their flights – is there a way that I can send a special offer? Right now the dates are “unavailable” because I blocked the two listings for the weeks in question. While I normally would never do that, I knew that if these folks didn’t book by the deadline that I had mentioned it I would have enough time to find other guests during this specific period. I look forward to your helpful guidance, thank you.
I don’t think so,
A special offer is only available on a booking enquiry, you would have to contact the guest from the old booking and ask them to send you an enquiry for any date, then alter it to suit.
Similar to what @HumptyDumpty suggested but different…
Notify guest via Airbnb message that you will unblock the dates so he can book. Ask what date & time the guest will be available to do the booking.
For example if they say they will do the booking request Sunday after 3 pm, you unblock those dates at 3 pm. It is now on them to follow through.
Leave the dates unblocked. If they don’t request the booking at least you have an opportunity to fill those dates.
You’ve gone above & beyond to help them. You have limited your opportunity to get bookings. It is now their turn to step up.
Just block out the dates and take it as a direct booking, as they have booked before and presumably you are happy to have them stay again @MissMiami
If you look under reservations you can click “ALL” that will give you a list of all your reservations, on mine it has their telephone number listed. I just ask for an e-transfer. Win win when you have repeat guests that you are familiar with.
I’m not really sure why you want repeat guests to go through Airbnb?
Some of our repeat guests do, for reasons known to themselves, but most book directly to avoid the fees - and the hassle.
Just got a $5500 booking because the guests tracked me down on line…when they looked at doing a booking through the platforms, most of the fees were appalling.
This is an Australian businessman who released this…
@jaquo @robin1@helsi @Annet3176 and other hosts: thank you for your guidance. The reason I don’t normally suggest that guests pay me directly (outside of the Airbnb platform) is that I can’t process their credit cards – am I missing something? Are you suggesting that I ask guests that I already know to make a money transfer?
I’m not—- always stay within the platform. My suggestion has them booking via airbnb
If you were saying this is a private rental, I missed it. If it is a private rental you should have their contact info and accept a check or paypal or whatever you can.
If not private, stay within Airbnb.
@Annet3176 I rent my listings (two apartments in the same building) via Airbnb; on some occasions, for longer stays or with guests I’ve had before, I will accept checks or money transfers (usually as suggested by the guests themselves and not suggested by me). For instance, one of the guests in early 2020 has paid the first month via Airbnb and the second month will be paid cash.
Missmiami, only do what you feel comfortable with, I have repeat guests and advertise outside the platform, it saves my repeat guests money. I have been at this for quite sometime, I am comfortable taking a 50% deposit & the remainder to be paid 1 week prior to arrival.
ABB fees are extremely high for a long term stay. I accept e-transfer and also have a square card reader so I am able to process debit cards and credit cards. My one or 2 night regular stays just pay cash. I have a suite in my home so it is more on a personal level, they just leave cash on the table, I understand that this honor system does not work for everyone.
@robin1 thank you for your valuable guidance, perhaps I should get a square card…
I have one and it is really easy to use. I will send nay do it with the card present, explain to the guest that they pay the 2 %
Fee and the money is in my account next business day. They plug in their mobile number and they get a receipt
You can also ask them to do a direct bank transfer, paypal or similar @MissMiami. Here in the UK a bank transfer comes through to your account in minutes.
I wish I knew all this information prior. My first Airbnb stay was for 3 months in Miami area while we were renovating our home. We were the host’s first guest as well. Our stay totaled almost $6,000 we had a good but expensive first experience. Wish the host would have offered us to pay on the side after the first month.
Yes you can send an invitation to book. Email the guest, call them. Take paypal, sign up for Square, accept cash when they arrive. Keep the money to yourself you do not owe Air for every future booking.
RR