A text instead of email can also work for some.
1 Like
Yes, true! I just prefer the email route because I have more control over it, e.g. a dedicated email just for contacting guests. And, to me, an email seems less invasive coming from someone you don’t really know. But it’s just my preference.
1 Like
I didn’t realize this undertaking would require so much hand holding!
2 Likes
Yes, I have one of those right now. Booked a month ago for this coming week and asked a bunch of questions. I answered, and asked a few of my own. Radio silence. Then last night I got a “have been too busy at work” note along with how they really deserve this vacation. Doesn’t bode well. Guests who “deserve” a good time tend to forgive themselves any lapses, but woe to the host. I’ve got my armor on. 
3 Likes
I think quite a few people deciding to become a host don’t realise how much work is involved. Airbnb and other STR companies sell the STR dream, that it’s something anyone can do and say how easy it is.
However the truth as you are finding out is that whether it is a room or two in your home or multiple whole listings, it is a business and to run it effectively takes time and effort.
2 Likes
I am “on duty” 24 hours a day.
This is my income and choosing to be a host means I have to manage everything.
I have 4 entire houses that are on 4 different booking sites, plus direct bookings.
My husband has a medical procedure tomorrow, so juggling arrivals so no one is left standing outside.
I always try to see it from the guests point of view and treat them the way I would like to be.
4 Likes
I never had it happened. I had once a couple mixed up dates but they stayed 2 weeks. But one night… makes me think they were lying to get late check out
1 Like
Nah, it depends how it’s done. For one nighters we often ask what their plans are for the following day, and drop in the midday check out time.
We’ve got a bit of flexibility in respect of our parking (private garage) so, depending on a) do we like them and b) what our garage availability is like for the following day we’ll sometimes let folks leave their car in garage for an extra hour or so to let them get some lunch before hitting the road.
The past few times we’ve done that, with BDC guests, they’ve hit us with 10’s across the board and the last one left a €5 tip; straight into the oloroso fund! 
JF
2 Likes
I am not convinced it’s an honest mistake. Booking for one night is obvious. I think they had one priority: hit the hills. And they stretched boundaries.
The problem is that you were booked,and that means moving people’s stuff around. I avoid that at all costs.
You can always confirm the ETA of the next guests and see if they’re tracking a bit late.
Fingers crossed.
I wouldn’t penalize them unless they get in late. But I would mention it in a review to dissuade others.
I would also suggest a 2 night minimum.
I really don’t think it is somehow. I wonder if it has to do with the app. It seems there are lots of issues of incorrect bookings when using the app. I believe it has something to do with the UI or process. I’ve had several guests do this and it’s always been for 1 night but they thought they booked 2 nights. I 100% believe each one of them. It is of course possible that OPs guests are scamming but since she doesn’t know for sure, it seems harsh to
Wow, I personally can’t see how it could be an “honest mistake”? How do you book and pay for one night and think you have booked two? Maybe it’s just me, but I cant imagine taking a trip and not knowing how many nights I’ve booked somewhere, especially a single night booking. We discourage late check-outs by using a digital keypad lock, but do not allow self-check-in. When we meet the visitor on check in, we give them a card that shows them their unique key code, with a reminder that the “key code expires automatically at check-out time: 10:00am on (date).” We also include in our house rules, "A $50 fee will be levied if guest checks out late (See Check-out time above) without prior authorization. Late departure beyond one hour will result in a charge equivalent to a full days stay. These are penalty charges and do not entitle guests to stay on the property any longer than the original check-out time. " So far, no late checkouts. And no, it doesn’t really automatically expire at that time. We could program it that way, but figure it might cause unnecessary problems if someone’s a few minutes late.
2 Likes
It is just you. LOL. I think most of us feel as you do but I’ve had guest who were confused. Also I was a school teacher and have seen first hand that brains are all different, there’s no such thing as common sense or “everybody knows.” I’m not excusing the guest but we do need to have strategies for dealing with these confounding situations.
2 Likes
I agree with you, @highstone. I can’t imagine how anyone would think they were booking for two nights.
Booking on Airbnb is basically the same as booking a hotel. If someone told a hotel that they thought they’d booked for two nights, would a hotel say they could just stay at no charge? No way!
2 Likes
Yes, but not everyone understands that (or even how booking at a hotel even works). One of the common posts that repeats on reddit is people asking how the booking works. E.g. they want to know if they are going to spend 4 nights do they book Dec 10-14 or Dec 10-15. It’s surprising to me too, but people ask about it a lot.
For my guests that booked one night thinking they booked 2, two of them told me that it “was confusing on the app” and all 3 of them were booking multiple stays at one time for college tours in different areas of the country. They were all competent people but just got confused. None of them were trying to “trick” me. 2 of them gladly added and paid for the 2nd night. One of them couldn’t because it was already booked. I helped her get in a night early at her next airbnb and so she did that and then sent me an “I’m so sorry” gift - because they checked out late, thinking they had another night.
1 Like