You still can leave right star-rating - as I understand it's not visible for the host. Even with bad reviews - you can calmly choose hosts for the future stayin

You still can leave right star-rating - as I understand it's not visible for the host. Even with bad reviews - you can calmly choose hosts for the future staying and ignore few who don't want to rent listing to you because of bad reviews, why do you need those hosts anyway (it's good filter for bad hosts)? And yes, you should have backup plan - addresses/phone number of hotels/airbnb listings you can use in case of emergency. I always try to leave truthful review, with specific detail about the listing because I think it's very useful thing in AirBnB. > As far as I'm concerned the AirBnB refund guarantee is mostly useless. I used it with success. When one host started ignore some additional questions after booking, I decided to shorten my stay there in advance (and was right about it) - host had flexible return policy and I've got my difference back without problems. AirBnB's support was helpful. I used AirBnB for more than 10 times now and overall my experience is very positive, you usually get much more for much less money, compared to hotels. I didn't use it in USA though, mostly Europe and Asia.