Hello someone from the UK has requested a 10 day stay for 2 people. This is my guest room so I don’t use instant book. I replied asking who the second person will be (I don’t do children) and if they will be bringing a car. They have 0 reviews. Have not responded. If I decline am I penalized?
Thank you
No you’re not penalized for declining a request to book. Only for cancelling actual booked reservations.
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Send a follow up message asking them to clarify. If they don’t respond then decline.
I think you can just let it expire since it’s just a request.
@Betty_A, you could consider accepting the reservation. I don’t know what part of the world you host in, but I host 2 guest rooms in my home and use instant book on both of them, with some restrictions about who can instant book.
Four seasons in, 300+ reservations, and I have yet to have someone with nefarious intent walk through my door. I’ve hosted dozens of people with no reviews. It’s pretty common for guests to not bother checking their Airbnb acct/messages until THEY need or want something, but so it is.
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I sure would not decline a 10 day booking over the fact that someone didn’t name who else was coming with them!! That’s the second most common new Guest mistake; first being only clicking 1 guest when they are coming with a partner.
They could be traveling in the UK and there are a LOT of places there where Wifi is non-existent!
You do have to respond to a Request To Book. “Decline” is one response. You will have to state a reason for declining a Request to Book. “not comfortable…” is the most common response. You do not have to reply to an Inquiry and will not be penalized if you let it lapse
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You didn’t say how long ago they booked and how long they’ve been maintaining this radio silence. I’ve said here many times before that guests rarely get in touch after booking unless they have specific questions about matters vital to them or until the morning of arrival. Of course they don’t understand why a host needs to know these things so don’t understand that it’s helpful.
I also like to know whether guests have a car, although it’s not essential to know, but again it’s usually discussed on the morning of arrival, If a guest hadn’t let me know by check in time, that’s okay. I never ask who the second person is either (I don’t do children either) so you can see that the guest won’t see either of your inquiries as urgent or even important.
So I’m not even sure why you’d even think about declining as this sounds like just a normal booking.
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You could decline, then you would be out the money for no good reason. Give it more time, ask again. If your listing says no kids and they show up with a kid just do not let them in.
RR
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I sent 3 messages in total and no reply to any until after I declined. They replied asking to still come and we were able to connect… I excepted now payment is pending LMAO
I couldn’t give it more time Airbnb controls the 24hr window not me. Also I’m not necessarily home when someone checks in, I travel for work so I don’t want to come home to any surprises. That’s why do not have instant book enabled.
It’s a common courtesy if you can’t reply to a text you can find someplace else to stay.
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Thank you I’m still new at this so I’m trying to make it work for me. So far my guests have been awesome!
If they are what I call click-book-bye people, and you have reached out multiple times, get airbnb involved saying they are not answering your messages.
It would help if you put all this in your house rules then you can state house rules to get airbnb involved;
Also, you have their phone number maybe try to whatsapp or text. This is controversial some users here say never go outside airbnb app. I have found it’s sometimes necessary to whatsapp to get their attention, especially newbies who doe not have the app and put airbnb messages to spam. say hello on whatsapp or text and redirect them to airbnb.
Your house rules should also be clear on the no children thing, if that is the case and they have children, call airbnb support talk with a real person and get a cancellation.
Do not cancel by simply clicking if you want to keep your superhost status.
Of course you want to know these things! You want to provide the best service, know when they arrive, not make them wait for the keys or for access to the apartment.
Some people - not all - couldn’t be bothered and don’t know why you ask: what is your flight itinerary, how are you getting to the apartment, car hire or taxi? It all is a question of timing and organising your day.
I hope next phase of airbnb will be “educating the guest”, but I doubt it!
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That’s the main issue is they are new to Airbnb so don’t know to reply or what to expect.
Here I am still my calendar blocked with these same people because it’s been 3 days of this! I should have stuck with the decline … had a gut feeling and of course no reply since the credit card has declined.
I have a single wide drive I need to know if they will be parking a car or not… if I’m home from a trip expecting guests I won’t park there as to not be blocked in. Also I need to obtain a guest pass.
Yes 3 days of BS no
Payment Airbnb cancelled it if they contact me again I’m not taking them.
OK WOW she booked again 