Start Pages: AirBnB

There are mentions of goods from at least one of our partners in this story. We may get paid when you click on links to these goods from our site. The deals on this page are subject to certain rules. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, many travelers have had to change their plans.

Whether it’s a canceled cruise, closed sites, or a complete shutdown plane, the effect on already planned trips has been huge and will likely worsen for a while. Even when the industry starts the long road to recovery, flying will almost certainly be very different than before the spread.

Because things are changing, many travelers are looking for ways to travel closer to home, and short-term rental sites may be a good choice. Airbnb is the most well-known site for finding different places to stay on your next trip. It even won the 2019 TPG Award in this area, so today, I’ll show you everything you need to know to find the right house, condo, or flat for your next trip.

What Is Airbnb?

If you haven’t heard of Airbnb, it’s a website that lets people rent out their homes to travelers. The online press for Airbnb says that the company has more than 7 million ads in more than 100,000 places in more than 220 countries and regions.

In other words, if you’re going somewhere, you’ll likely be able to book an Airbnb home, even if it’s a unique place. Keep in mind that the site offers many different kinds of places to stay. Even though we’ll talk more about these below, you may find some or all of the following in your search results:

• Sharing rooms: Individual rooms with places that you and other people use together, like sharing bathrooms
• Private rooms: separate rooms with bathrooms and showers
• Hotel rooms: Private or shared rooms at small hotels or hostels.
• Entire apartments/condos/houses: Completely private lodgings, usually with full-service facilities such as kitchens.

As you can see, you have a few choices, and the prices will change. Look carefully at each item so you know what to expect.

Type Of Place

As was already said, Airbnb shows a range of places to stay, and based on where you look, you can filter to only show certain types. To use, click on the “Type of place” button, check the boxes for the type(s) you want, and then click “Save.” This will change the list of features so that only the types you choose will be shown.

Price

When you open the price tab, you’ll see the average weekly rate for your search criteria. From there, you may choose a range of nightly prices by dragging the scales or putting in your maximum and minimum amounts. When you click “Save,” the site will only show homes within your set range.

But it’s important to know that these prices are just the starting point, like many hotel booking sites. Taxes and fees are not part of them. You’ll always see an extra Airbnb service fee; almost all homes also charge a cleaning fee and other taxes and fees for staying there. You’ll need to click on each item and look at the price list to see the full price.

How do I use Airbnb to Book a Room?

Once you’ve set up the options that meet your needs and found a good home, you can start the booking process.

1. Click on the home in the list of findings from your search. Depending on how your computer is set up, this should open the item in a new tab or window.
2. Read about the location, including what it has to offer and what other guests have said about it.
3. Look at the prices split and ensure your dates and number of guests are right. Then click “Reserve.”
4. If you haven’t already, sign in to your account.
5. Review the house rules, click “I agree,” and proceed.
6. Type a message to your host, and then click “Continue.”
7. Choose how you want to pay. Note that this last step may show you some extra choices. Some Airbnb bookings are qualified for the Pay Less Upfront option, which lets you pay for the duration of your stay in two payments. Also, the button you click to confirm your booking will say either “Request to book” or “Confirm and pay.”

In either case, you agree to pay for the ticket, which is important to remember. For a place where you can “request to book,” the host must accept your ticket before you can pay. After confirming your ticket, you can add friends and give them access to the property’s information.

But you’re still the main person in charge of the ticket, so you can still talk to the host and see a record of your stay. Lastly, it’s important to note that Airbnb is working on putting in place new cleaning rules for its homes, such as a suggested 24-hour wait between guests and better ways to clean.

Best Deals on Using Airbnb

There are millions of places to stay worldwide, so determining the one that fits your requirements can be hard. But we have a full guide to help you choose the right Airbnb. Here are some of the best tips from that piece, as well as some tips I’ve learned from booking more than 20 Airbnbs over the years:

• Prices: Rates can vary depending on how far in advance you book, how many people you have, and what fees each property charges. Ensure that all of your search information is correct, and look over the price split carefully to know exactly how much your stay will cost.
• Reviews: Previous guests’ experiences can be a great way to determine if a place is worth booking. Look at more than just the number of stars because one bad review about an issue the host has since fixed could bring down the average. And after your stay, make sure to write your full review of the place. Including information that isn’t widely known, like how comfortable the bed is or what’s in the kitchen, will help potential guests decide if the house or flat is right for them.
• Communication: You can talk directly with the host through Airbnb, which makes it easy and quick. You can ask about a specific feature or service before booking; in some cases, you’ll need to give information about friends or sign a separate rental agreement after booking.
• Reward: When you rent a home on Airbnb, it counts as travel on many famous cards, particularly the Chase Sapphire Reserve® as well as Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which gives you 3x and 2x Ultimate Rewards points, respectively. This would also let you use all the trip protections with these cards. You can also earn 3x British Airways Avios or 1x Delta SkyMiles for every dollar you spend on Airbnb bookings. This is an extra 4.5% or 1.2% return, according to TPG’s most current calculations.

Last, consider what you want to bring to your Airbnb. Many places on the site have everything you require, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re unsure, ask the host before you leave, and if something you need isn’t there, pack it yourself.

Conclusion

Airbnb is a great option for normal hotel rooms for travelers who want a better location, more space, or a unique place to stay. My first time using Airbnb was on a trip I’ll never forget to Colmar, France, where there were no big-name hotels. Since then, I’ve been happy to use the site. This guide showed you how to book an Airbnb as you plan your summer and fall trips.