If you’re a member of the Airbnb community, you’ve probably noticed the Instant Book option and are aware that many hosts currently use it. If you haven’t had a chance to try it out yet, here is all the information you need to obtain a better grasp of this feature.
Instant Book was launched by Airbnb to enhance the user experience on the platform and expedite the booking process. However, this option has several drawbacks that you should consider before using it in your listing.
What Is Airbnb Instant Book and How Does It Work?
Instant Book is a feature that hosts can enable for their listings on Airbnb. It enables guests to automatically book a residence. Instant Book reservation requests are not subject to host approval. Rather than that, guests can enter their travel dates and move directly to the check-in process with the host.
Instant Book is described by Airbnb as a feature that assists in reducing the hassle associated with the booking process. It simplifies the booking process for guests while improving host revenue. At the end of the day, it results in a win-win situation for both sides.
Should You Use Airbnb’s Instant Booking Feature?
If you’re still on the fence about whether the Airbnb Instant Book function is right for your business, here are some of the benefits and drawbacks to consider.
The Advantages of Using Airbnb’s Instant Book Option
• Increases your reservations
Having Instant Book enabled will assist you in securing further reservations. Guests benefit from a simple booking process. As a result, they frequently use filters to locate listings that can be booked with a single click. This is why, by enabling this function, you can expedite the booking process and increase the number of prospective visitors that view your listing.
• Helps you rank higher on Airbnb
When you disable Instant Book, your listing’s position in Airbnb’s rankings is automatically dropped. Add this option to your listing to ensure that it appears towards the top of Airbnb’s search results. By increasing your ranking, you can boost your listing’s visibility.
• Contributes to an increase in the number of reviews
Simply simple, more reservations equals more reviews. When you enable Instant Book, you’ll be able to gather more reviews and earn the Airbnb Superhost title much more quickly.
Guests may book properties without the host’s approval. This eliminates the need for you to reply to guests’ queries consistently. You can repurpose time spent on guest communication for other critical duties.
The Drawbacks of Using Instant Book
• Increased number of cancellations
When Instant Book is enabled, Airbnb guests tend to book first and discuss details with the host later. When guests do not read the regulations, this may increase cancellations. Additionally, it may result in a loss of profit if you receive a last-minute cancellation.
• Possible unreliable guests
Hosts are at a loss as to who makes reservations for their holiday rental. “Many hosts want to vet their guests before allowing them to stay in their homes, which they believe Instant Book eliminates” – Lodgable.
If you’re still uncertain about how to use this feature, the following techniques will assist you to understand how to cope with Instant Book visitors.
Five Effective Strategies for Dealing with Instant Book Guests
1. Establish a Dialogue
To begin, if you have any reservations about your guest, attempt communication with him/her. During a conversation, you can gain a better understanding of the type of guest you are dealing with.
For instance, you can inquire about the guest’s expected arrival time, whether he or she has read the house rules, and whether they have any special requirements. Additionally, you can inquire as to whether they have any questions or reservations concerning the house rules to ensure that they have read them.
2. Give Your Instant Bookings a One-Day Notice
Allowing same-day requests with Airbnb Instant Book is one option you may wish to avoid. Bookings for the same day can be challenging to handle, particularly when it comes to property preparation and cleaning.
To discourage last-minute surprise bookings, require a minimum of one day notice for all reservations, or more if required. Airbnb will automatically reserve the dates you choose in your calendar.
3. Establish a minimum and maximum stay period
Instant Book on Airbnb enables you to utilize filters to weed out short bookings and guests looking for a one-night stay. You can add a two- or three-night stay minimum to ensure that your home is prepared for the next guests. Additionally, requiring a minimum stay will assist you to deter guests who hire a house only to hold a party.
Additionally, you should establish a policy for your vacation rental’s maximum stay. If you do not specify a maximum number of nights, Airbnb will default to a 14-night maximum stay.
4. Increase the Minimum Requirements for Guests
Airbnb asserts that your guests will satisfy all of Airbnb’s reservation standards before making a reservation. Airbnb cannot, however, guarantee that all standards will be met. That is why it is prudent to add additional guest restrictions to safeguard yourself, such as:
- restrict bookings to visitors who have submitted their government-issued identification to Airbnb; and
- accept only guests who have previously used Airbnb and left favorable reviews with other hosts.
5. If Necessary, Cancel a Reservation
You are not obligated to accept a reservation that makes you feel uneasy or raises doubts. According to Airbnb’s terms and conditions, you have the right to cancel reservations if you have a compelling cause to do so. This option gives you greater control over your reservations, even if they are promptly booked.
What Do Airbnb Instant Book Hosts Have to Say?
“Whether a host uses Airbnb Instant Book or not is entirely up to the host’s discretion. Indeed, hosts have discussed the benefits and drawbacks of Instant Book on the Air Hosts Forum”, explained the leading vacation rental experts, Lodgable.
“I am a single woman who has entertained well over 200 guests in the last nearly three years. I’ve had IB for the majority of that period without incident. You have the option of requiring a government-issued ID for Airbnb.
Additionally, you can verify their identification upon their arrival at your rental. Concerning the rules, people must certify that they have read them and agree to them. Airbnb has no way of compelling them to comply. You must attempt to police them.” – K9KarmaCasa K9KarmaCasa
“I do not utilize Instant Book, and it does not affect my bookings rating, but I do not have a private guest entry and want to know who is coming, when they are coming, and to guarantee their needs are met.” Emily –
As you can see, hosts have a variety of arguments for and against enabling Instant Book for their listings. It’s prudent to read what others have to say about their experiences with Airbnb Instant Book on a variety of forums. In this manner, you’ll be certain that you’ve chosen the best short-term business decision possible.
Conclusion
Despite host complaints, Airbnb Instant Book benefits both guests and hosts. Numerous hosts have experienced a considerable increase in response rate, increased visibility on Airbnb, and hence increased reservations. Give it a try and determine whether Airbnb Instant Book benefits your business. You can determine whether or not to continue using it over time.
To mitigate potential hazards, ensure that additional visitor requirements are enabled and that the option of penalty-free cancellations is available if a guest appears suspect. Always err on the side of caution.
