first time airbnb booking

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quokka77

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Just made my first air bnb booking today. Apartment in Melbourne's South Bank for next year. Amazing value compared to chains. Will wait to see if reality lives up to description and photos. This is a work trip and usually I'd try to book a hotel with a big points bonus but I've got the family along so really wanted kitchen dining and separate bedrooms.
 
Just made my first air bnb booking today. Apartment in Melbourne's South Bank for next year. Amazing value compared to chains. Will wait to see if reality lives up to description and photos. This is a work trip and usually I'd try to book a hotel with a big points bonus but I've got the family along so really wanted kitchen dining and separate bedrooms.

In my experience for a family, and wanting space and cooking facilities AirBNB is half the price and twice as good!
 
If by chance anyone has a NYC or SFO contact on AirBnB, would you plse share w' me by PM? I have 2 10 stays next year.
 
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I've just made my first Airbnb for NYC next year. It is at least 60% off a comparable place and found a location where there were few hotels.

Anyone wanting a bit of a discount on their bkg, let me know as I now have a code to get people reductions and for myself too, for anywhere that is.
 
We tried to book using abnb previously. The timing failed is in the end but the customer service didn't.
 
I have used them a few times, and will keep doing so. Just pick somewhere with more than a handful of reviews.

And I keep forgetting about the coupon discounts for others to use. :oops:
 
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Airbnb came in handy for my first week here in Switzerland.

It was quite tough in a way because many of the ads are in French. I put in many requests, a couple declined and a few more with no answer. Luckily one person eventually confirmed.

Stay was great as the host left all the necessary instructions and a friend of his met me at the apartment to hand over keys and explain a few more things.

Overall my take home is be prepared to request a few places rather than just one. Your first stay might be difficult to get, but it should get easier once you have a few runs on the board. Make sure you always complete a review, and of course make sure you leave the place in immaculate condition.
 
We tried to book using abnb previously. The timing failed is in the end but the customer service didn't.

customer service may be OK, but the website sucks. I have on many occasions tried to access it from overseas but it defaults to the language of where I am (spanish) and will not change back to english. Error in page design. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get the english versión.
 
customer service may be OK, but the website sucks. I have on many occasions tried to access it from overseas but it defaults to the language of where I am (spanish) and will not change back to english. Error in page design. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get the english versión.

Maybe there's something I'm doing or what not, but I have no problems changing the language to English and keeping it that way for at least the current session.
 
I am planning on using Airbnb for a trip in April next year. I haven't booked anywhere yet but have my eye on a couple of places. Definitely a cheaper option for a family of four with teenagers!
 
customer service may be OK, but the website sucks. I have on many occasions tried to access it from overseas but it defaults to the language of where I am (spanish) and will not change back to english. Error in page design. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get the english versión.
Hmmm. That's curious. While not discounting your experience for a moment, I've used the website from quite a few non-English speaking countries and have never run into that problem. Will keep an eye on that when next booking while away from home.
 
I found that for NYC I had to book now for next May as all the good places w' lots of + feedback were coming perilously close to being booked out. I also asked all those that I contacted how they would cope w' the NYC law on no short-term sub lets, and they all answered well, except one that I have not heard back from, so she's crossed off. Also, watch the cancellation clauses.

I am planning on using Airbnb for a trip in April next year. I haven't booked anywhere yet but have my eye on a couple of places. Definitely a cheaper option for a family of four with teenagers!
 
Hmmm. That's curious. While not discounting your experience for a moment, I've used the website from quite a few non-English speaking countries and have never run into that problem. Will keep an eye on that when next booking while away from home.

Today it is working again (as in allowing the change to English) Infuriating problem :)
 
I also asked all those that I contacted how they would cope w' the NYC law on no short-term sub lets, and they all answered well, except one that I have not heard back from, so she's crossed off. Also, watch the cancellation clauses.

Yes I think plenty of renters would usually prefer if you pretended that you were a friend visiting / house sitting than someone paying to stay / using Airbnb. Which is fair enough really.

Cancellation policies can vary from renter to renter, as it is their choice, and you're right - it is worth keeping in mind each time you're looking at an ad. Airbnb charges a fee for every booking (a decent chunk in the cases I was looking into) which IIRC is strictly non refundable if your booking is accepted.

Do note too that you can't rent from Airbnb without signing up as a member (it is free though). If you cancel a booking, even outside of any penalty period, you will have feedback automatically posted onto the renter's room record of the fact.
 
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