How to Be the Best Airbnb Guest EVER

We’re back for the second installment of our Airbnb series! If you missed week one where we talked about what in the world Airbnb is you’ll want to check out last week’s post. This week we’re going to talk about how to be the best Airbnb guest EVER! Because let’s be honest if you make a reservation request, you want the host to accept you…and you want good reviews so future hosts will accept you!

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Airbnb Tips: First-Timers

If you are getting ready to try using Airbnb for the first time as a guest I would encourage you to do a few things so potential hosts will want you to stay at their house…

1. Add a picture to your profile…I want to see who is going to be sleeping in my bed!
2. Complete the verifications…I want to know Airbnb has verified you are a real person in at least a couple of ways. You don’t need to complete every verification but if you don’t even verify your email, then I’m not so sure you’re legit
3. In your inquiry, tell us a little bit about yourself and your visit…again I want to know a little bit about the person who is going to be sleeping in my bed!
4. Fill out the details in your profile…like where you live!  You don’t need to give me a street address (this may seem like common sense but one guest did this!) but I’d at least like to know what country you live in.
5. Use our link to get $40 in travel credit!

If I get a reservation request from a profile with no picture, verifications or any details…chances are I’m not going to accept the request!  I mean imagine if you got a profile like this on a dating website…you sure wouldn’t say yes to a date!

Airbnb Tips: Preparing for Your Stay

1. Communicate your arrival time with the host
2. Be honest! If you book the house for 3 guests, don’t bring 5 extra people with you…trust me this happens and hosts don’t usually like this. Also, if something happens, let the host know right away so they can fix things rather than wait to find out until you leave. One of our guests had the sink back up on them and because they let us know right away we were able to get a plumber to fix things right away and avoid any damage.
3. Check with the host on the policy regarding using their kitchen. If you’ve only rented a room it might not be available for you to use at all times
4. If you have any special needs, ask ahead of time! They might not be able to help you out but if they can they’d love to! We had someone stay with a baby and ask if we had a high chair so we borrowed one for their stay.
5. Don’t forget you are staying in someone’s home…be nice and treat it kindly!  Use things for their intended purposes and try not to leave wet towels lying around.

Tweet: If you’re using Airbnb to travel, @jmdenouden shares how to be the best guest EVER! http://bit.ly/1MmI5gV #Airbnb #travel

Airbnb Tips: Finding the Perfection Location

A few tips as you search for the perfect location for your next getaway

1. Read the reviews before you inquire about a place…if other people have left negative reviews it should be a red flag. If other reviews are glowing, then this might be a perfect place to stay!
2. Ask the host for recommendations and information because they probably know the area better than you do. If you really want to see a certain museum, ask the host how far away the particular museum is so you can decide if it’s the best fit for you
3. Check the cancellation policy….you don’t want to end up losing money if you cancel outside of their cancellation policy window so make sure you check this before booking
4. Be sure to look at the location on the map carefully. If you are going to depend on public transportation you want to make sure public transportation is easily accessible

1. Do you have to provide your own food? It varies place-to-place…some homes will leave breakfast food for you but beyond that you’re on your own. We keep our fridge/pantry stocked with condiments and spices and breakfast food but beyond that the guests need to bring their own food
2. Do you have to clean up after yourself? You don’t need to get out the mop and bucket but the general guideline with Airbnb is to treat it like a campsite…leave it the way you found it! We do love it when guests strip the linens off the bed before they leave…but it’s not required and we won’t rate you poorly if you don’t!
3. Do you tip hosts? No need to tip hosts although some guests do bring gifts which is fun…especially if they are traveling from out of the country!

I’d love to hear from you!  In the comments below I’d love to hear if you’ve used Airbnb as a guest, what tips you have for first-timers? If you’re an Airbnb host, what tips do you have for guests? If you’ve never used Airbnb, what questions do you have about being a guest?

More Posts in the Airbnb Series

Is Airbnb right for you?

How to be the best Airbnb host ever

Top ten reasons to try Airbnb

If you have any questions about Airbnb feel free to leave a comment or send me an email at girlonthemoveblog01 {at} gmail {dot} com.