Traveling is one of the best experiences I know. From the preparations to actually being at the destination, everything is magical. If you have already chosen the place to spend your next vacation and are looking for alternatives to hotels, how about giving Airbnb a chance?
The platform is a success all over the world. This year, 14 years of life, it has seen 1 billion arrivals and more than $110 billion in earnings for hosts.
So, take the opportunity to explore the world of hosting in this super complete tutorial. You will know what Airbnb is and how it works, learn tips for using the platform and have the main questions answered.
What is Airbnb?
In short, Airbnb is a platform for renting a season and promoting unique experiences. Now, let's understand this better.
Before Airbnb, to get to know a new place, you had to stay in an inn, hotel or similar. It was even possible to rent an entire house or apartment, but it was a hassle to find them and negotiate the renter's stay.
Now, you can get out of the hotel scheme in a very practical way. And, not only that, you also find really different accommodations – and this statement is not an exaggeration. After all, you can find castles, caves, houseboats and much more for rent.
Take, for example, these delicious tree huts:
In addition, the Airbnb platform also hosts unique experiences. It is a practical way to experience unforgettable experiences while getting to know the city. How about learning how to make a croissant from a chef in Paris?
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What does the acronym Airbnb mean?
The name 'Airbnb' comes from the combination of the English words air (ar) and the acronym bnb (bed and breakfast) – a category that brings together establishments, generally residential, that offer overnight breakfast. By the way, the first name of the platform was precisely: Airbed & Breakfast.
According to legend, the origin of the name has to do with the first guests received by the creators of the platform. The hosts would have put air mattresses to receive some people who were going to a conference in San Francisco, in the United States.
A story of simple entrepreneurship that revolutionized the way to stay.
Airbnb: what works?
The Airbnb platform works as a social network. It connects people interested in finding a place to sleep and hosts available properties. As it is a social network, you must create a profile to use it.
As you make reservations or host guests, you'll receive reviews. For the guest, good reviews help when the host approves a reservation. As for the host, they help in publicizing and looking for donations.
What are the advantages of Airbnb?
In my opinion, the main advantages of Airbnb are:
- It's a hand in the wheel to seek national or international donations.
- Having an entire house or apartment at your disposal. this, you can enjoy family or friends privacy.
- It is possible to save. Even if you don't cut costs on accommodation, you can eat at home and reduce going out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Being able to stay in properties that otherwise would not be available.
- Get more people and animals to enjoy you. Airbnb makes it easy to take a friend, nephew or dog for a break.
does Airbnb work for landlords?
Airbnb has also revolutionized the lives of homeowners. Now, they can be found much easier, manage their property information and see the profile of who they are hosting. All on the same platform.
To sign up for Airbnb, visit the website.
What is hosted on Airbnb
Generally, a host on Airbnb is the owner of a property that hosts a traveler. But it can also mean that person who offers an experience or adventure on the platform.
What is an Airbnb superhost
When the host offers a good user experience, he has the possibility to become Airbnb's 'Superhost'. To achieve qualification, it is not necessary to fill out a form. What you need is to host a certain percentage, receive very positive reviews, respond quickly to users, and have a low cancellation rate.
Upon reaching Superhost status, you will receive a profile badge and advertisement. Now, to keep your badge, you must pass this evaluation again, which will be done every four months.
Among the benefits of being a Superhost are: easier to be found in searches, greater ad visibility, Airbnb coupon, etc.
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Airbnb payment methods
Airbnb payment methods vary depending on the country in which the property is located.
In most countries, Airbnb accepts payment by credit card, prepaid credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. In Brazil, credit cards from the main national and international flags are accepted.
Step by step of using Airbnb
- The first thing to do is download the Airbnb app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) for your cell phone or tablet. Or, if you prefer, access the Airbnb website.
- Although you can search without creating a profile, I suggest you create your account. This allows you to save your favorite destinations while browsing the platform.
To create a profile, you can choose between:
- Create an account from your email or phone number;
- Link your Google, Apple or Facebook account to the platform.
See it's simple!
From the site:
By cell phone:
Just access the app, tap 'Enter' and fill in your details.
- Then it's time to get it.
From the site:
Navigate through the bar on the home and click on 'Places to stay'. When looking for a place to stay, choose: the location; the period of entry (check-in) and exit (checkout); and the amount of people. Then tap the magnifying glass:
For those looking for experiences at the destination, you can select the 'Experiences' tab and select the location and date you plan to go. After that, touch the magnifying glass:
Currently, in 'Online Experiences' you can also find things to do without leaving your home.
By cell phone:
First tap 'Explore' in the bottom menu and then the 'Where are you going?' search box. Then enter the location or choose one of the nearby locations. Now, select between the type of stay or experience:
Then it's time to choose the exact period or search for flexible dates, the amount of people.
- Now, let's browse the results.
From the site:
Properties that match your search criteria will be listed on the left and displayed on the map on the right. If you want to change any information previously entered, just click on the search bar:
By cell phone:
Search results for properties appear similar to the site. The difference is that the map appears at the top and the list below. If you want to change the information, just click on the search bar:
- After browsing the available donations on the map or the list, take the time to see more photos and information about the donation. To do so, just click on the ad.
Now that you've found where you're going to stay, just check your stay information and tap 'Book'. You will still not be charged:
In the next window, enter your credit card and billing information and tap 'Confirm and pay'. At this time, your request will be processed and the charge made to the card.
Ready! Now just wait for confirmation.
Tips for using the platform
Now that you know the basics of the Airbnb platform, how about learning the tricks to get better results? We have set aside some tricks for you.
Apply filters to your search
Search filters will help you select the properties that best suit your needs. It is useful to use it, for example, if you need an accommodation that has a kitchen or that allows pets.
From the site:
By cell phone:
Rate the entries of other guests
Guest entries are an excellent source of information for you. Take advantage of the resource to find out the honest opinion of those who went to the place.
Here are some suggestions of what to watch out for:
- If the location is really good – look for information about what you find around. For example, if there is ercio nearby or if it is next to a karaoke bar.
- If the photos match the actual state of the apartment – look at what people say about the housing situation and cleanliness.
- Hospitality – here, you want to know if the hosts' personality matches your expectations. It is important to choose according to what you like. For example, do you like to be paid more attention or do you prefer to be left more at ease?
See competing platforms
After Airbnb's worldwide success, several similar platforms were born or gained visibility. And, even those that were focused on other services, started to offer accommodation in houses and apartments as well.
Currently, the main competing platforms are:
- TripAdvisor Rentals
- booking.
- Vrbo (formerly HomeAway)
- Wimdu
It's just because they don't have the same appeal as the Airbnb brand that you can find good opportunities there.
Don't book last minute
The earlier you book the better. That's because you find more interesting opportunities – both in terms of prices, as well as in grant differentials.
Unlike hotels that offer a lot of rooms and services, it is more difficult to find a house that is available for a long time on the platform. Even more so if your list of requirements is long or the period of your trip is restricted to certain days or months of the year.
It's that story, traveling out of season is much less crowded, for example, than enjoying the summer on the coast or enjoying the cold of the mountains in winter.
contact host
Before booking your accommodation, send a message to the host explaining the reason for your trip, how many people will be traveling and any other information needed.
Why is it important? Because, with the exception of Instant Book spaces, the host will have to approve your stay.
I suggest sending the message before to book because that way you already match the owner (which you will have to do anyway) without this making it impossible for you to close another host because you are looking for the same date.
This strategy is especially interesting for those who are just starting out on Airbnb. Hosts may not approve your reservation because you don't have reviews yet.
An extra tip is to always connect with the host through the Airbnb chat, because your conversations are archived and are not deleted, as can happen via messengers or WhatsApp.
Pay attention to the final price
In the list of ads, we can see the final price to be charged on the platform:
However, it is only when we click on the ad that we will know what will be charged in detail on the platform:
Find out in the description of the ad or in the conversation with the host if there are other fees to be charged at check-in.
Use Google Maps to know the location
Within the Airbnb donation listing itself, you can access the Google Maps tool. In addition to seeing the distance to your points of interest, you can use it to view the surroundings of your location.
Explore the feature on the website. To do this, drag the little yellow figure to navigate through the streets you'd like to see:
Make payments only on the platform
When choosing the location and joining the host, pay for your reservation only through the Airbnb platform. This prevents, for example:
- Fraud: your card information being cloned;
- Scams: the hosting is fictitious and you have not made the reservation;
- Abuses: improper charges for unsolicited services.
It is good to know, however, that there are charges that are allowed as long as they are approved by the platform and communicated in advance by the host. This is the case for charging local taxes and fees for Wi-Fi, gym, breakfast, etc.
What is Airbnb: frequently asked questions
If you are not yet ready to choose your donation, check out a selection that we have prepared the main questions from users.
Is Airbnb Reliable?
The Airbnb platform is reliable – at least until proven otherwise. This is because, like any online service, there is a possibility that the website or app can be hacked.
But thinking on a scale, Airbnb is closer to the “very reliable” option. That's because you create a password profile and your payment details are stored only by the platform.
Is sleeping on an Airbnb property safe?
Security is an important topic anywhere in the world, but especially here in Brazil. If you are thinking about traveling alone, then you should ask yourself if it is safe to stay on Airbnb.
The best way to ensure a secure donation is to choose those Superhost, lots of positive reviews and ratings, and good location. Remember to use Google Maps to explore the accommodation's surroundings.
Airbnb also has an Urgent Care Line that allows direct access to a security team. The resource is available in the app itself and appears 24 hours before the start of the stay and disappears 24 hours after checkout.
Among the situations dealt with by this team are threats to physical security, hosting an unauthorized party and violating privacy. When making the call, in just 30 seconds the guest or host is connected to a team professional.
What is the fee charged by Airbnb?
The total price of your Airbnb reservation depends on certain fees. The only fee always charged is the service fee, which is the cost that Airbnb charges to offer its services.
There are other extra fees that some hosts may charge, such as:
- Cleaning fee: to cover expenses in this area;
- Additional Guest Fee: calculated for each additional person above the number specified in the ad;
- Security deposit: it is a security deposit that will be used if there is any damage to the property. It is also a fee that Airbnb may charge on some reservations;
- Government taxes on service provided electronically: charged in some countries and, therefore, different abbreviations may appear – IVA, VAT, JCT and GST;
- Local taxes: may be charged at time of booking or check-in, depending on local regulations. Therefore, ask the host if there is this type of fee before closing your reservation.
Is the daily rate charged per person on Airbnb?
The Airbnb night is calculated by renting the entire room or space. So, if the ad specifies that the place accepts 2 guests, the value will be the same for hosting 1 or 2 people.
However, some hosts accept to receive more people and, in these cases, they charge an additional per person hosted.
What is Airbnb zip code?
If you've ever signed up for a credit card through the app before booking a place on Airbnb, you've been asked to enter a zip code. It is nothing more than the zip code of your residence.
In the past, the field brought many doubts and problems to the user. But it seems to no longer be the case. Now, it only appears when registering a credit card in advance through the app. In other cases, the zip code appears.
What is the Airbnb service charge?
Airbnb's service fee is how much the platform charges to offer its services. This amount includes, for example, costs to keep the website and application up and running.
Other expenses that are not so obvious are the 24-hour customer service and reimbursement of damages caused to properties advertised on the platform.
What is security deposit on Airbnb?
The security deposit is a fee charged to the security deposit to cover any damages that occur in the accommodation. It can be requested by both the host and Airbnb.
The amount will be held on the card from 2 days before your check-in until 14 days after checkout or until the next guest check-in, whichever comes first.
It is important to know that:
- The value varies according to the daily price and the number of nights;
- All accommodations are covered against damage – and not just those with this security deposit;
- If your card has no available security deposit limit, you will be notified by email and will need to change your payment method. If you don't, your reservation will be cancelled.
What is instant booking on Airbnb?
Instant Booking is an Airbnb feature to streamline your stay. So you don't have to wait for your request to be approved by the host. It is a feature available to anyone who is up to date with their account setup and there is no additional fee to use it.
This feature is useful for those who travel at the last minute, for those who had another reservation canceled at the last minute or who want to escape the bureaucracy of being approved.
Can I cancel my reservation on Airbnb?
Yes, you can cancel your booking on Airbnb. However, you probably won't get a full refund of what you paid, which would only happen in cases of force majeure (natural disasters and wars) and cancellation by the host.
The refund calculation will consider whether you paid only a portion or full amount, the service fee and the host's cancellation policy, which can be found in the listing information:
Remember that the cancellation deadline takes into account the date and time of the destination place (not where you live). If you miss the deadline, you will be charged the service fee.
Two other cases where the service fee will not be refunded is if you have booked for another location on the same date or have canceled more than 3 times within the last 12 months.
After requesting cancellation, the deadline for you to receive the refund is up to 15 days. But this will vary depending on the payment method (debit or credit card, PayPal, etc.), the card issuer and where you live.
What happens if the host cancels my reservation?
If the Airbnb host cancels your reservation, you'll be refunded in full. He, on the other hand, may face some penalties from the platform, paying a cancellation fee; keep the donation calendar blocked for the period; among other punishments.
The problem for the user is not being able to make a new reservation in time. This is because canceling close to the date of travel makes it difficult to find available accommodations.
In addition, the user may not have money for a new booking due to the refund processing time or because there is no credit card limit.
Do you like horror story? I'll tell you one then. Once, a deaf couple went to Florianópolis for a congress. As soon as they arrived in the city they discovered that the accommodation reservation had been canceled by the host.
In addition to not knowing the city, they could only communicate with people in writing. They didn't have the money to settle in another place and they stayed in the street wondering what to do.
Then, by luck or fate, a friend of mine found them, managed to understand the whole problem, and finally received them at her house. The moral of the story: always have a plan B.
Conclusion
No wonder Airbnb is so popular. After all, it is a robust platform with several navigation facilities. In other words, another step towards democratizing travel.
Use the tips we teach you and make the most of it when making your reservation. And remember, have a plan B every time you travel, okay?
If you're not in the mood to travel, how about meeting new people on the Omegle social network? Click on this tutorial and learn how to use the website or app to chat with new people.
Now, if you're going to travel, get to know the best good camera phones to take unforgettable pictures of the destination.
