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Airbnb should have a public % number for hosts for both acceptance rate for "open" dates on their calendar and for cancellations. I was traveling the world for

Airbnb should have a public % number for hosts for both acceptance rate for "open" dates on their calendar and for cancellations. I was traveling the world for the last 9 months and we fairly quickly stopped using AirBnB in favor of Booking.com and Agoda (which had hotels, guesthouses, and even hostels if you're so inclined). Host behavior was the problem. We'd contact a place that supposedly had an opening. Nope. Contact another. Nope. Contact a third. Yes, but they work until 10pm so we need to go find them for a key. AirBnb was an amazing experience when it worked, but time-intensive and frustrating for most transactions.

clamprecht 13y ago
What part(s) of the world did this happen to you? I've used it at least a dozen times and this hasn't happened to me. I've only used it in the US (SF & DC), a few countries in Western Europe, and in South America. Maybe hosts' behavior is different in different countries?
- webwright 13y ago
  Most recently, 3 "nos" in New Orleans (non mardi-gras season). All had time in their calendars. Also had some difficulties in Spain. I always have had great experiences when I successfully book, but it was aggravating in places with slow internet to have to cycle through the "request" process rather than being able to predictably just book something (or at least 95% of the time). I'd much rather just blast an "are you really available" note to a shortlist of 5-10 properties and then 1-click book something.
doodilin 13y ago
I've been traveling for the past two years, and fortunately have only had positive experiences with Airbnb. I agree that some hosts can be less responsive others, so I've taken more time on my end to have a bit of back-and-forth with the right ones before booking. Paul does make a good point regarding host cancellations, and your suggestion to publicly display acceptance or cancellation rates might be helpful to prospective guests.
- webwright 13y ago
  Yeah, I've always loved it when it works, but the back-and-forth can be frustrating on near term bookings... Especially when you are traveling with semi-shakey internet connections.

clamprecht 13y ago

What part(s) of the world did this happen to you? I've used it at least a dozen times and this hasn't happened to me. I've only used it in the US (SF & DC), a few countries in Western Europe, and in South America. Maybe hosts' behavior is different in different countries?

webwright 13y ago
Most recently, 3 "nos" in New Orleans (non mardi-gras season). All had time in their calendars. Also had some difficulties in Spain. I always have had great experiences when I successfully book, but it was aggravating in places with slow internet to have to cycle through the "request" process rather than being able to predictably just book something (or at least 95% of the time). I'd much rather just blast an "are you really available" note to a shortlist of 5-10 properties and then 1-click book something.

doodilin 13y ago

I've been traveling for the past two years, and fortunately have only had positive experiences with Airbnb. I agree that some hosts can be less responsive others, so I've taken more time on my end to have a bit of back-and-forth with the right ones before booking. Paul does make a good point regarding host cancellations, and your suggestion to publicly display acceptance or cancellation rates might be helpful to prospective guests.

webwright 13y ago
Yeah, I've always loved it when it works, but the back-and-forth can be frustrating on near term bookings... Especially when you are traveling with semi-shakey internet connections.