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Introducing Airbnb Plus

airbnb.com

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Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#141

Post by MechanicalTim »

BugsJustFindMe wrote: post #104
MechanicalTim wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a host I use a chrome plug-in that shows me every review a guest has written for their stays

As a guest, though, if a host is actively weeding out people because they speak out about being scammed by shitty not-as-described slumlord empty-ikea-box listings, then I probably don't want to give that host money anyway.

I totally agree. To clarify I'm a very active guest as well, so I'm well aware of mis-represented listings. I simply use this as another data point when evaluating a guest.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#142

Post by ultraflux »

annexrichmond wrote: post #36

This is strange marketing as it almost sounds like the non-Plus listings aren't what people already expect to some degree from an airbnb. > With Airbnb Plus, you can always check in effortlessly. Every home is equipped with a lockbox, keypad, or a host who is on-call to greet you. This is so weird. How would you otherwise check in to a home if it doesn't have self check in or a host? > When you book an Airbnb Plus ho…

Agreed and as an Airbnb host myself, slightly confused. To add to what you said, why book and pay a premium for an Airbnb+ when there are thousands of standard listings that already crush plus listings.

As it stands, I have hosted 273 stays and have 184 reviews with an average rating of 91% five star reviews between two rooms.

The number one comment I get from guests is that my place is far better then a hotel and far less expensive. Enter Airbnb Plus "hotel like quality" which from my perspective and my guests, Airbnb Plus would appear to rank lower than many standard Airbnb listings.

And this does not even take into account hosting element.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#143

Post by prepend »

BugsJustFindMe wrote: post #100
grapehut wrote: post #62

I travel a lot and have stayed at 50+ airbnb places all around the world -- but the biggest problem is that the reviews are always so artificial you honestly have zero idea of what you're getting into. Worst of all is the amenities, which are more often incorrect than not. I generally filter for places with washer + drier, as I'd rather not be looking for laundromats. Probably over 80% of listings that say they have…

> but the biggest problem is that the reviews are always so artificial you honestly have zero idea of what you're getting into. > I just add the problem by leaving positive reviews even when I'm unhappy with the place So stop actively making the problem worse. Retaliatory reviews aren't a thing, because the host can't see your review until after they post theirs, and the only outcome from a potential host tracking do…

Future hosts will see your reviews and refuse to host. Since the reservation has to be confirmed by host, it can be a pain to go through a few hosts.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#144

Post by ultraflux »

calbear81 wrote: post #92
annexrichmond wrote: post #36

This is strange marketing as it almost sounds like the non-Plus listings aren't what people already expect to some degree from an airbnb. > With Airbnb Plus, you can always check in effortlessly. Every home is equipped with a lockbox, keypad, or a host who is on-call to greet you. This is so weird. How would you otherwise check in to a home if it doesn't have self check in or a host? > When you book an Airbnb Plus ho…

Airbnb employee here: Re: the check-in and on-demand requirement, this means that there is 24 hour check-in available vs. a pre-set check-in time that you would have to coordinate closely with a host. This would mean that there's a keypad, lockbox with a key and/or a doorman or local key person who will bring the key on demand when requested.

I already do this and this is standard with the local airbnb hosts I know. I get that this obviously does not happen across the board but I can assure you anyone serious is already doing this. In some cases I even pickup guests.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#145

Post by ultraflux »

spaceflunky wrote: post #47
annexrichmond wrote: post #36

This is strange marketing as it almost sounds like the non-Plus listings aren't what people already expect to some degree from an airbnb. > With Airbnb Plus, you can always check in effortlessly. Every home is equipped with a lockbox, keypad, or a host who is on-call to greet you. This is so weird. How would you otherwise check in to a home if it doesn't have self check in or a host? > When you book an Airbnb Plus ho…

New slogan: "Airbnb Plus: Everything else is a dump"

Except that most standard listings are a step up on plus. Which just goes to show how bad they messed up here. In some ways it has an Apple feel to it, charge more for less.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#146

Post by ultraflux »

sf_rob wrote: post #118
apetresc wrote: post #99

They don't explicitly state this, but I really hope one of the things they guarantee with Plus is that the host isn't expecting you to cover up the fact that you're in an AirBNB. I love the service overall, but I absolutely hate getting the morning-of-checkin email saying "Hey can't wait to host you, by the way, tell the receptionist you're my cousin and if any of the neighbors are in the hallway please just pace aro…

This happened to me in Toronto (my local coworkers said it was a common thing) and the doorman threatened to not let me in and to not return my bags that the airline temporarily lost and delivered there.

This often only happens in Cities where Airbnb is either illegal or is fighting with local cities.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#147

Post by ultraflux »

wugie wrote: post #129

New revenue stream for the company growing its presence in the premium segment.

Seems they may have missed the mark here. I would not classify hotel-like quality as the premium segment. Many of the standard Airbnb's I've stayed at beat hotel-like quality in every way.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#148

Post by gautamnarula »

ghaff wrote: post #77
user5994461 wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll agree with the previous post that renting a room or a flat on airbnb is a terrible experience. People really have crazy expectations and you need to be a professional hotel to handle it. I'm a firm believer that most hosts will stop renting after a few guests. The turnover must be high, only covered by the new supply of hosts following the hype. It will dry up eventually and mostly professional hotels will remai…

I felt the same way about eBay back in the day. I quickly came to the conclusion that there were very few items I wanted to get rid of that were worth the hassle. The last time I had some camera equipment to get rid of I just sold it to Amazon. I'm sure I could have gotten more $$ through other channels but it was so hassle-free that it was worth it to me.

I actually have bad reasonably good experiences selling random stuff around the house on eBay. I also thought it had been overtaken by professional sellers, especially when bidding is basically no longer a thing on eBay anymore, but I set up 7 day auctions for a dozen items I wanted to get rid of (books, computer accessories, old games, etc) and all but one sold without much hassle.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#149

Post by dawnerd »

thinkythought wrote: post #127
dawnerd wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hope their check includes people listing "whole homes" as actually being an entire house and not just someones basement or granny flat. Also a room with an attached bathroom isn't an "apartment". Seen quite a few of those being listed as whole rooms too. I don't really get it, if they fool me do they expect me to be happy when I show up and find out Im basically sleeping like harry potter?

How is a granny flat with it's own entrance, kitchen, etc not a "whole home"? those are often rented as apartments anyways

Because a lot of the amenities listed are actually in the main house. If Im renting a "whole home" I dont really want to be in the owners back yard, ya know?

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#150

Post by randycupertino »

prepend wrote: post #143
BugsJustFindMe wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but the biggest problem is that the reviews are always so artificial you honestly have zero idea of what you're getting into. > I just add the problem by leaving positive reviews even when I'm unhappy with the place So stop actively making the problem worse. Retaliatory reviews aren't a thing, because the host can't see your review until after they post theirs, and the only outcome from a potential host tracking do…

Future hosts will see your reviews and refuse to host. Since the reservation has to be confirmed by host, it can be a pain to go through a few hosts.

My biggest issue is hating all the weird host rules. I don't want to tip toe around and abide by your curfew when I'm on vacation. I also don't want to pay an outrageous $250 cleaning fee. At least with a hotel I know what I am getting and don't get any surprises.
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