If you are someone who takes advantage of the amazing house deals available on Airbnb, you have probably noticed that many of them are pricey. You might want to book a particular place, but it is above your budget. And that is sometimes disappointing.
But what if you could negotiate those prices? Can you negotiate on Airbnb? Keep reading, and we’ll show you how to get a discount if it is even possible to do so.
Can you negotiate on Airbnb?
The simple answer to this question is yes. You can negotiate with hosts on Airbnb, but there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so.
First off, it is important to remember that just because you asked doesn’t mean they are going to give you a discount. A lot of Airbnb owners might not be open to negotiating their rates for various reasons. Their place could be that expensive, or they might have had previous bad experiences with people who asked for discounts and got them. Either way, just keep an open mind when asking to negotiate the price.
Can you negotiate a cleaning fee on Airbnb?
It is possible to negotiate a cleaning fee on Airbnb. But you should know that the majority of hosts will not be open to it. In fact, wanting to negotiate the cleaning fee might be seen as a red flag. As it is the consensus that renters who negotiate the cleaning fee tend to be problematic.
Also, before reaching out to negotiate the cleaning fee, ask yourself a few questions. Would you be negotiating because you are offering to do the cleaning yourself? Why should the host lower the cleaning fee?
Most times, cleaning is done by contractors and it is often at a fixed rate. That is what you end up seeing on the app. It might even be less than what the host pays for cleaning. If you planned to do the cleaning yourself, that may not be such a good idea. The host would likely be uncomfortable with having a stranger do the cleaning for the next guest, and might not even have all the cleaning supplies handy.
Instead of negotiating the cleaning fee, it is a better option to negotiate the price per night. This would give the host more leeway, and you have a higher chance of getting a discount following this route.
How to ask Airbnb host for discount
So, you now know that a discount is possible. But…how? In the next few paragraphs, we will show you how to ask for a discount. What to do, and what you should avoid. Keep reading.
1# Contact the host before booking
Before you book the Airbnb you have your sights set on, contact the host to ask if prices can be negotiated. There is no runaround to it, you simply have to ask. Keep your message respectful and concise as well.
There’s a button in the app where you click to contact the host with any questions you might have. Add a friendly greeting, and then make your inquiry about possible negotiation.
2# State your reason for requesting a discount
In the message where you ask if the host is open to negotiating, it would help to add why you would benefit from a discount. Could it be that you love the place but it is a bit above your budget? State that.
It could also be that you are staying for a long time and want to see if discounts apply. Let them know. It could help to compliment the place or say why you would love to stay there also. Remember to be respectful, clear, and concise.
3# Do not ask for discount months in advance
If your dates are far off in the future, possibly several months away, it might not be a good idea to ask for a discount. The chances of getting it are very slim.
This is because hosts would want to leave it open for potential customers that would pay full price. However, this could work on short notice. Perhaps a week or two away. They might be more inclined to work out a deal with you. The shorter in advance, the higher your chances of getting a discount.
4# If possible, try this as a returning guest
Many hosts might be skeptical about giving discounts to new guests. If you have stayed with a host and you created a nice relationship, they might be open to a discount if you ask for one when you’re returning!
Read also: Best Places to Get Family Vacation Deals
What to do when faced with Airbnb price increase after inquiry
Have you ever been in a situation where the price of the place you want to rent increases after inquiring? Well, here’s why that happens.
Some Airbnb hosts use Airbnb dynamic pricing, which causes the price to go up under certain conditions.
We’ll explain.
If you inquire about a place, and that place receives a lot of bookings afterward, the price goes up if the host uses Airbnb dynamic pricing. The reason is that more bookings translate to fewer spaces available for rent, which in turn causes a price increment!
When this happens, you could simply contact the host and respectfully ask if you could get the first price you saw when inquiring. This tends to work for many guests, and many hosts are receptive to this form of negotiation!
How to avoid Airbnb fees
There are two ways to work around Airbnb service fees, and we’ll tell you.
First, you could factor it into your price per night. If you already know what you would like to make as a profit, calculate the possible service fees and add that to the price. So, when the service fees are deducted, you still get to keep your money in full.
Secondly, if you can gain enough returning guests, you could offer the option for direct bookings. Although you would no longer have access to Airbnb’s customer support services, you would avoid the service fees!
