Tips for using Airbnb?

**marywantsmoney** · 09-01-2015, 07:26 AM

I just booked an Airbnb. Does anyone have tips for how to make sure it goes well?

**Blessed** · 09-07-2015, 09:38 AM

I've used it for two different trips in the last 30 days. A family member uses it a lot and convinced me to try it. Read the reviews of the home etc you are considering. Make sure you understand the cleaning fee and damage deposit if they apply. Read the cancellation policy. Only pay though the airbag site. If you have questions ask the person you are considering renting from before booking.

Both home rentals went well for us. It was a great experience! The $ saved renting a home in New Orleans compared to two adjoining hotel rooms was great.

**Breton Wench** · 09-08-2015, 04:06 AM

All I can say as a host is - it is NOT a hotel.Or even a gite. You are staying in someones house. We had a major misunderstanding this year as we rent out a small cottage that is a maison secondaire for my family 9 months of the year. We let it out for people who want a quiet, cheap break.
Disgruntled guest was not impressed by the homely furniture and 'lived in' feel of the cottage. Which is throroughly cleaned before each guest, BTW.

Everyone else loves the quirkiness of it.

**disneysteve** · 09-08-2015, 04:27 AM

It amuses me how AirBnB has become the hot new thing. We've been renting homes when we travel for more than 20 years. Initially, we did it through our travel agent. For years now we have done it through VRBO.com and other sites. We love it. We've never had a bad experience, though once or twice the place we rented wasn't quite as nice as we would have liked, but it was still fine.

We mostly do it when we go to Disney World but have also rented in Stowe, VT, Richmond, VA, and I helped coworkers rent in Maui and in Turks and Caicos. They were thrilled with their accommodations.

AirBnB is just the latest company to do something that's really been around for a long time.

**Blessed** · 09-09-2015, 04:14 AM

We used the VRBO DisneySteve mentioned for a cabin and that was also easy. On another note lots of landlords here are pulling in pretty good income with Airbnb.

**disneysteve** · 09-09-2015, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by Blessed View Post

lots of landlords here are pulling in pretty good income with Airbnb.

This is especially true if you live close to some major event site. I've heard of people renting their homes for $6,000 for the week that the Pope will be in Philadelphia this month.

**wonderwoman** · 09-09-2015, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

It amuses me how AirBnB has become the hot new thing. We've been renting homes when we travel for more than 20 years. Initially, we did it through our travel agent. For years now we have done it through VRBO.com and other sites. We love it. We've never had a bad experience, though once or twice the place we rented wasn't quite as nice as we would have liked, but it was still fine.

We mostly do it when we go to Disney World but have also rented in Stowe, VT, Richmond, VA, and I helped coworkers rent in Maui and in Turks and Caicos. They were thrilled with their accommodations.

AirBnB is just the latest company to do something that's really been around for a long time.

That's really interesting. I didn't even know it was a thing until Airbnb. I suppose now that company has made the home sharing process easy enough, everyone is now catching on.

**disneysteve** · 09-09-2015, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by wonderwoman View Post

That's really interesting. I didn't even know it was a thing until Airbnb. I suppose now that company has made the home sharing process easy enough, everyone is now catching on.

I've never used Airbnb so I'm not familiar with the process. I'm curious how it works and what about it makes it easier than something like VRBO. I'll have to check it out.

**corn18** · 09-09-2015, 06:08 PM

Just checked out the AirBnB website for a trip I am planning to Old Quebec City. Wow. Amazing places at great prices. And the reviews are very helpful. I will definitely give this a try.

I have used VRBO in Cancun and Paris and both were great places at a much better price than an all inclusive. Really liked that as well.

Tom

**disneysteve** · 09-09-2015, 06:12 PM

Is Airbnb mainly regular folks renting out their personal residences as opposed to dedicated rental properties?

VRBO does both. The homes we rent in Florida are rental properties. The homes we rented in Stowe and Richmond were actually the owners' homes. They live there when the place isn't rented out. There's definitely a difference between the two experiences.

**riverwed070707** · 09-10-2015, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

Is Airbnb mainly regular folks renting out their personal residences as opposed to dedicated rental properties?

VRBO does both. The homes we rent in Florida are rental properties. The homes we rented in Stowe and Richmond were actually the owners' homes. They live there when the place isn't rented out. There's definitely a difference between the two experiences.

I think the biggest difference is that with AirBnB lots of people rent a shared space. Yes, you can rent a whole place and yes it can be a dedicated rental but lots of times its someone's personal home and its the only one of the vacation rental sites that gives you the ability to book just a room in someones house, making it a good resource for budget travelers.

**disneysteve** · 09-10-2015, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by riverwed070707 View Post

its the only one of the vacation rental sites that gives you the ability to book just a room in someones house, making it a good resource for budget travelers.

Ah. Now I get it. So you can actually be staying in a stranger's home while they are there? No thanks. I'll stick with VRBO and skyauction (for timeshare rentals).

**riverwed070707** · 09-10-2015, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

Ah. Now I get it. So you can actually be staying in a stranger's home while they are there? No thanks. I'll stick with VRBO and skyauction (for timeshare rentals).

We did this during the state fair this year. All the hotels in town sell out and people end up staying 30+ miles away. We rented our basement for $100/nt and ended up making $700 over the 11 days of the fair

While I've never rented a shared accommodation on airbnb, we've done hostels when we travel sans kiddo and always enjoy that... but we're a bit nontraditional when it comes to traveling so I definitely get that its not for everyone.

**disneysteve** · 09-10-2015, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by riverwed070707 View Post

While I've never rented a shared accommodation on airbnb, we've done hostels when we travel sans kiddo and always enjoy that... but we're a bit nontraditional when it comes to traveling so I definitely get that its not for everyone.

If I was traveling alone, I'd be fine with it. My wife, not so much. She was bothered enough by the place we rented this year in Richmond. The guy had just recently started renting out his place and really didn't put much thought into making it "guest ready". I sent him a pretty detailed review with suggestions of ways to make the place seem less like we were crashing on his sofa and more like we were actually renting a place to stay.

Tips for using Airbnb?