Updated July 23, 2020

By Jenny Javitch, Airbnb Superhost & Founder of Global Game Plan

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Airbnb and other vacation rental companies have become much more popular in the past few years, and for good reason. I’ve used the Airbnb platform as a guest and as an Airbnb Superhost for two Airbnb apartments in the charming river town of Stillwater, Minnesota - and there are a few tips for Airbnb that you should know before committing to an Airbnb rental.

Whether you’re a first-time Airbnb guest or have been using Airbnb for years, the following essential tips will help you understand how to book on Airbnb.

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1. Know what you’re looking for in an Airbnb booking

Are you staying in an Airbnb because you’d like to have more space while traveling with your family? Looking for a change of scenery or a vacation where you can social distance? Are you searching for a deal or looking for a more unique or local neighborhood experience? Maybe you just want to see what all the fuss is about…

Airbnb rentals may be touted as a cheaper option than a hotel, but that’s not always the case – and Airbnb cancellation policies can be stricter than hotels. In my experience, high-quality Airbnbs are not likely to be less expensive than hotels, especially for two people paying together. However, they can provide great value for groups where individuals are paying separately, more space for families (think separate bedrooms for your children or teens!), private amenities like a pool, hot tub or rooftop deck, and overall travel savings if you stock up on groceries or use the kitchen to cook.

Think about staying in an an Airbnb vs. a hotel then plan your search while keeping your desired lodging characteristics in mind.

How to save money while traveling

2. Read the Airbnb listing and the Airbnb guest reviews thoroughly

Seriously, read the Airbnb guest reviews and the ENTIRE listing (every last piece of information)! I can’t stress this enough. Airbnb is based on mutual input from hosts and guests, so it’s a host’s job to accurately list their space and a guest’s job to read all the information provided to understand what is and is not included.

Reviews are important to see feedback from previous guests, but also to “read between the lines” and get a better sense of the details for your Airbnb rental. This includes things like parking, Wi-Fi performance, kitchen utensils, noise, interaction with the host, and more.

That being said, as with all reviews, keep in mind that there are two sides to every story so read enough reviews to pull out themes of past guest experiences. Spend some time looking through the photos to corroborate what the listing text says and to get a feel for the space.

This is also the time to carefully read the cancellation policy for your Airbnb options. Each listing has its own cancellation policy set by the host (which they choose from some preset standard options) so make sure you can live with it before you go through the booking process.

Related: How to Be a Great Airbnb Guest

3. Look at the Airbnb bed configurations

When I am searching for an Airbnb as a guest, the sleeping arrangements are the most important feature I look at. The home may say it sleeps 8 people, but how are the beds set up? How many beds are in each bedroom? Is there a sleeper sofa or air mattress in the common room? Are you willing to share a bed or sleep on the top bunk?

For the best experience traveling with a group, I recommend discussing bedroom/sleeping arrangements and the number of bathrooms in advance.

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4. Understand the total Airbnb rental cost (including all taxes and fees)

Knowing how to book on Airbnb includes understanding the pricing structure, which unfortunately can be a little tricky. The presentation of prices starts with a base price shown during your initial search, but that doesn’t include a possible cleaning fee and all of the taxes and service fees. This is important because the Airbnb platform (not the host) controls the way the price is listed – and if you don’t click all the way through (especially when using the Airbnb app), you won’t be able to see the complete price.

This is frustrating for both the guest and the host. To find the total cost (including taxes, cleaning, and other fees) choose the exact days you’ll be traveling and be sure to keep clicking until you get to the screen that shows the “price details.” This way, you’ll see the full cost of your stay.

Compare Airbnb prices and more with this FREE Airbnb chart!

5. Book with an Airbnb host that’s a Superhost, if possible

A Superhost rating indicates a responsive host who provides high-quality customer service for their listing(s). When it comes to finding the best Airbnb, this is important! Airbnb has specific requirements and rules that hosts need to follow in order to achieve and maintain Superhost status.

When an Airbnb host has the Airbnb “stamp of approval,” they’re listed as a Superhost, which is noted on their listings and by a special icon on their profile photo. I have some concerns about long-term hosts with multiple listings who haven’t achieved Superhost status, although there could be a valid reason for this due to Airbnb’s strict guidelines for Superhost status.

I wouldn’t completely rule out a non-Superhost listing (although it’s really not preferred), but if you’re sorting through a large number of listings and looking to narrow down your search results anyway, the Superhost filter will help with this.

Related: Interested in becoming an Airbnb Host? Click here for helpful information and resources!

6. Only book Airbnb rentals with an average of 4 or 5 stars

If an Airbnb home is high-quality, there’s no reason to have reviews with fewer than 4 stars. As mentioned above, there are two sides to every story and a guest can easily write a bad review. However, the average star rating should account for those, so please make a reservation for places with a high rating and positive comments!

Be very cautious of booking listings with no Airbnb host reviews. However, one exception to this recommendation would be if the new listing is hosted by a Superhost. Superhost status is attributed to the host across all of their listings, so if an Airbnb host has a new listing, their Superhost status follows them and will give credibility to their new listing based on the quality of their other listings.

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7. Don’t be shy about communicating with the Airbnb host in advance

It’s always better to discuss any questions or concerns with the host in advance so you understand up front what the listing is about. If the Airbnb you are looking has the Instant Book setting turned on that means you can reserve the Airbnb right away, without communicating with the host. If this setting is not turned on, you will have to send a request to book/message first anyway, so introduce yourself (and your travel companions) and feel free to ask any questions about the Airbnb rental.

As a host, I’m happy to answer questions that a potential guest asks – it gives me an opportunity to get to know who will be staying in my space and a chance for me to show that I plan to be a responsive host. Remember, the Airbnb platform is designed to be community-based, so try to build a nice rapport in advance of and during your stay. This can also lead to positive reviews or helpful feedback for both parties.

Before you leave on vacation, be sure to download the Airbnb app to your smartphone and log into your Airbnb account so you can view the Airbnb messages, directions and communicate with your host in the easiest way possible.

8. Confirm that your desired Airbnb is licensed

Not all cities allow short-term rentals like Airbnbs or VRBOs, so be aware of the rules in your destination before booking. An unlicensed Airbnb doesn’t necessarily mean that the space is terrible, it simply means that the owner hasn’t received permission from the city to operate.

In this situation, the Airbnb host assumes most of the risk. However, if you book one of these Airbnb rentals, there’s a chance that the host will get caught in advance of your booking or that you may have to hide the fact that you are renting through Airbnb (from neighbors for example) during your stay. My Stillwater Airbnb rentals are licensed, and we’re required to share this license number on the listing – so this is something to look for during your search. Also, this is a great question to ask your Airbnb apartment host (in advance of booking) if you’re unsure.

A few concluding tips for Airbnb:

Safety is always important when you travel – here are the Guest Safety Tips posted by Airbnb and an article by Afar Magazine about How to Avoid A irbnb Scams an d Find Legit Vacation Rentals Online.
If you’re not sure whether to stay in an Airbnb or a hotel then this blog post will help you with choosing the right accommodation.
Use my handy Airbnb Comparison Chart to help you research the best Airbnb for your trip. Purchase it on Etsy or download it for FREE when you sign up for the Global Game Plan newsletter.
Want to become an Airbnb Host? CLICK HERE to get access to tons of helpful resources.

Now you’ve learned how to book on Airbnb! If you liked these tips for Airbnb, there’s more where they came from. Check out the travel planning services that Global Game Plan offers…it’s our job to make travel easier for you! We can help plan your trip activities and destinations, and we’re happy to help with Airbnb rentals as well. Contact us today!

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