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I’m glad you put “insurance” in quotes. I only book direct for repeat guests I trust. Friends stay free and even friends of close friends stay free or book direct. It’s not worth the relative small savings for a one off. But I’d definitely convert the one week a month every month to direct pay.
Also, if it’s someone who is trustworthy you wouldn’t need to involve Airbnb in most “insurance” incidents. Let’s say your guest wants to cancel, you were going to refund anyway but Airbnb keeps their chunk. A reliable guest will pay for the coffee pot they broke, no need to involve Airbnb.
LOL. I just got an awesome inquiry wanting a 25% discount for a week (mwaahhh, no.). Also, she requested that I make the apartment “available” for her for a specific week that is booked already except for three days
Hey, @RebeccaF, maybe those thrown-out clothes you found were from a different guest that had booked prior and your current guests got rid of her so that the apartment would be available for them? lol
I sometimes have days blocked that aren’t actually booked so depending on the nature of the stay I’d be fine with having guests inquire about days that might not appear on their calendar view. But the 25% discount would be a no from me so it seems you dodged a bullet.
This is the same for me and I don’t mind them asking if days are available; however, her phrasing was “Of course, you would need to make all of the days available for me”.
“Please forward me a copy of your verified VIP badge and I’d be delighted to give you an enormous discount and cater to your every whim, not the least of which is kicking out other guests who booked 6 weeks ago.”
You will likely be disappointed. I went easy on her, though was prepared to continue the ‘conversation’ if she had responded (I’m in a mood ; ) We can all hope that she actually gave it some thought and perhaps will re-think her approach next time.
Me: “Is there a special circumstance on your part that requires such a large discount?”
Guest:
I actually tend to be rather patient and kind with guests, even with inquiries like this that are clearly not going anywhere, but I think I’m getting tired because last week I had a similar inquiry to which I merely responded, “No.”
We are in a bush fire emergency area on the North Coast of NSW, Australia.
Being a small town, many locals know I have 4 Entire homes with Airbnb. I am the only one with my surname in my area.
Airbnb have sent me multiple pushes to register with Open Homes, Mine are already booked. This has been pushed with local media.
I have just had my third abusive phone call from people who want a free stay…I am sorry they have been evacuated, but I am booked and the demanding sense of entitlement was astounding!
