One of the biggest portion of the expenses incurred during travels relates to lodging. But thanks to Airbnb, you are now provided with a much more affordable and accessible alternative to hotels.
Ways to Save on Airbnb
Still, just because it’s relatively less expensive doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for means to further cut down on the cost – even a dollar saved is a dollar you can use for other luxuries and experiences. Here are five simple ways to save on Airbnb for your next trip. .
Tip #1 – Rent Long-Term
Provided your schedule allows, consider renting a place for more than a week or even a month if possible. Longer stays are generally offered at a great discount. This is because a longer staying guest also means lower maintenance on the part of the host and a potentially higher payout since there are fewer or no in-between periods of the house sitting empty for the month.
For a host working full-time, it also means less of a hassle on their side since there is a reduced need for monitoring. Renting longer might also be better in cities with a transient occupancy tax. Just booking a few extra nights over the month could resolve you from having to pay this tax. We’re not just talking about a lower per night fee here but actually saving up on the total cost of the stay.
Tip #2 – Negotiate the Price
Believe it or not, you can actually negotiate the price set by the host. There is a feature on the platform called “Special Offer,” through which hosts can send a custom price for a guest. To avail it, instead of booking a reservation, send the host a message introducing yourself, telling them of your stay dates and why you should be offered a discount.
If you successfully managed to convince them, you will have a reservation booked automatically at the new lowered fee. Not all hosts will be open to negotiations, but it is still worth trying since a lot of money could be saved this way.
Your chances are especially high if the host is new, and their place has no reviews yet. Another situation where you could successfully haggle is if you booked with them at the last minute as it is very likely then for the host to consider lowing the price just to get their room filled.
When negotiating with the host, consider how you can return the value to them for them lowering the price. An example would be giving them a guarantee that you will definitely choose them again in the future for your next trip here or that you might refer the place to your friends as well.
Tip #3 – Travel During Off-Season
The less the demand, the less the price – this is a basic market fundamental. During off-season, where there aren’t as many tourists visiting, hosts have a harder time getting bookings for their place and as such, are willing to charge a lower amount for a stay.
In addition, in reference to the tip mentioned previously, you could potentially cut the already low fees even further through a little bit of negotiation given that you, as a guest, tend to have more leverage in these seasons.
Traveling off-season is also recommended if you want to save up on the costs in general as you can get cheaper tickets for flights and to tourist attractions.
Tip #4 – Refer Airbnb to a Friend
Have friends who still aren’t on Airbnb yet? Consider inviting them over to sign-up using your referral link. For every successful referral, you get to earn a travel credit after the said friend made their first qualified reservation.
For a reservation to be considered qualified, a trip should be of the minimum total value (excluding guest fees or taxes) indicated in the referral invitation. The travel credit you earn will be automatically be added to the checkout when you book your next reservation.
If you have managed to refer enough friends, it could potentially mean enough travel credits earned to get you a quality lodging extremely on the cheap or even completely free. There are some limits placed, however. For a given calendar year, you get travel credits for up to 10 successful referrals and are allowed to accumulate travel credits of up to $5000 only.
Also, be sure to redeem your travel credits within one year of their issuing date as they expire afterward.
Tip #5 – Consider All the Costs
Consider not just the direct costs but also the indirect costs of a booking. For instance, consider the various amenities that a place offers to guests such as a swimming pool, a gym, or a nearby coffeehouse. Choosing an Airbnb with lots of amenities could help you save as it means not having to look somewhere else for such needs.
Another important factor to consider is whether there will be additional charges that you might have to contend with, such as for cleaning services. Be sure to know full well of such fees before booking to avoid having to pay extra.
Location can also matter. A place far away from all the attractions might carry with it a lower fee, but you could end up paying more for your trip because of incurring higher transport costs.