Maybe they don’t have photo ID uploaded ? @lisanddavid
Yes, it turns out, that was it! I didn’t even realise this at first because they had other reviews and I had just assumed that they must be verified if they’d stayed at other Airbnb places. But I was wrong. I explained to him about how he’d need to do the identity verification process through Airbnb, he did that, and then I accepted his booking request.
I’m really grateful for the good advice I got here!
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It’s good to have certainty about a reason. Also note that in another thread some hosts with IB on were getting inquiries. It was noted that Airbnb actually encourages guests to contact hosts even when IB is on. I never knew this.
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I haven’t had a listing since April 2020, but when I did, the answer is no, I didn’t accept reservations without a verified ID. When I signed up as a host in 2018, Airbnb made a big deal of verifying my own ID, they made it seem like I wouldn’t be able to open a host account unless I did so, but I later found that wasn’t the case. My opinion is that if Airbnb said I had to do it to prove who I am, then I don’t think it’s unreasonable for guests to do the same, especially since I was not allowed to take photocopies of guests’ driver’s licenses/passports like most hotels do. I’ve seen some indications that hosts have a little more leeway now, but to be honest, I don’t think most hosts should be allowed to either view or store that type of guest information due to security and privacy concerns.
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Some people don’t understand how to use the Airbnb platform. It could be as simple as user not understanding that they could. have instant booked. .
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I get these all the time (I have IB on), and I wouldn’t read too much into it. The fact they are older and coming to a morose event (funeral) tells me however they are not your classic candidates to throw a party, that is good news. They are ‘just’ retired and that is another plus, young enough to still be cool.
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