A few weeks ago I had to move up a flight to 6am at the last second because an important work meeting got put on my calendar that would have potentially conflicted with my original flight. Flying in a night early wouldn’t have been possible with my schedule. We stayed with friends so it was a non issue, but if we’d be in an Airbnb where guests were already booked the night before, I would have appreciated the tiny little gesture.
I did that once but the night was open on my calendar… got a 3* review out of it. Guest said it seems like your listing is available for the night of x.
Now I simply say I cannot guarantee an early check in. If I have a good chance of rebooking those dates, I ask them to cancel within 24 hours.
A box of local pastries is a tiny little gesture, what you’re talking about is a free night in someone’s place of business (with a 6am checkin no less). Why wouldn’t you just reserve a hotel room to fill in the gap?
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When asked for an early check-in or late check-out during the stay (or right before check-in) I usually say that we already have scheduled maintenance and cleaners but would be happy to offer a complimentary hour early (or late).
If the request comes up during booking (which seems to be rare for us) I tell the truth: that unfortunately we can’t offer check-in or check-out beyond our usual hours as that could infringe on another person’s booking or required maintenance. We totally understand if that doesn’t work for their plans and please feel free to cancel within the 24 hour window to find the perfect place to fit their needs.
So far no negative feedback by guests who we let down gently 
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the Milk&Cookies guest: if you offer them milk, they will later ask for cookies.
@JJD i think @jane1234 was talking about the free coffee or mimosas at a nearby restaurant, not an early morning check-in.
Jane, my problem with what you say you do is that it feeds entitlement. A guest is not entitled to an early check-in, but giving them free drinks is giving them something free to make them feel better about not getting what they want. That’s the way we get spoiled children, and entitled is just the grown-up word for spoiled.
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I just tell them it depends on my cleaner’s schedule, it’s not like most of us have permanent cleaning staff like a hotel, and I’ll let them know if it is possible the day before. If not it is the usual check in time of 2pm.
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This is what we say:
There are two ways to handle an early check-in. If you want to guarantee the spot, we do charge a $50 fee for early check-in. We would handle that through the Airbnb Resolution Center. Otherwise, if the cleaners are done early, we will let you know - there is no charge for this option, but there is also no guarantee.
Please let us know which way you’d like to go with that.
If they are a returning guest I will consider early check-in with no fees, and block the night before. Others, if they inquire, I let them know about possible ready earlier, but it usually backfires and they are late or within the regular check-in window anyway.
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Is there a difference in requesting payment through the Resolution Center and requesting payment as an additional charge outside of the Resolution Center?
The Resolution Center is the only way of requesting payment on Airbnb, as far as I’m aware. What do you mean by “outside the Resolution Center”?
Under “Support” [far right column under “Reservation Details”] you can request or send money.
That’s how I’ve been doing it. Is that not the appropriate way?
You can do it through reservation change and change the price. I have done that many times to lower the price when something was not working.
Yes, that link takes you to the resolution center. It’s the same.
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This was the way an Airbnb CS rep told us to handle it several years ago - we’ve been Airbnbing since 2013. Always better and makes the guest feel more secure if you handle additional trip-related charges on the platform. But I’m not saying you can’t do it another way.
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I think it is good business to allow guests to check in early if this is possible. I’m not sure why people want to charge for it – it really doesn’t cost me anything to have them come early if the house is ready. Maybe a couple of bucks of extra electricity. So it depends on the timing. I have the calendar blocked out to allow a prep day so they are usually able to clean the day before the guests arrive. Then, if it is cleaned, I let them know that the house will be ready for them in the morning and they can check in at whatever time they like. This is much appreciated by guests!
Why shouldn’t guests ask for what they want. You can always just say no.
It costs a day’s booking. If you choose to block a day between bookings regardless it’s still costing you.
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Well, yes, I am losing that day as I blocked it out. In any case, though, I would let people know if the cleaners are done that they can go ahead and check in. If they ask in advance I say that I won’t know until the cleaners are done but if it turns out to be available early then I’ll let them know. My point, anyway, is that it doesn’t cost anything to give people a little more and this does help make for happy appreciative guests who leave good reviews!
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your situation is probably different than mine or others. In my case, it is not possible to offer early check-in. It would be terrible business practice to allow early check in my case.
I just don’t want guests who want a free night before or after, so I do my best to avoid getting bookings from them.
Do you realize that guests are wasting host’s time by making demands for things that are not offered part of the listing?
Why don’t these guests book something that meets their needs rather than making unreasonable demands?
I help out other hosts but writing up such guests in my reviews.
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