AirBNB - Direct Booking Discount Request

[Sarah Beilke]

Hello!

It seems like lately every AirBNB booking request I get also comes with a message asking for a direct booking discount.  I only have 1 property at the moment and have not invested in a direct booking site.  I have done some deals outside of AirBNB for a longer term but I feel obligated if they contact me on AirBNB to keep that booking through AirBNB.  I have not read through the details terms of the AirBNB contract but I can't imagine that there isn't something in there to protect AirBNB should you book that guest off their platform.  

Any thoughts on how other people are handling all these direct booking or discount requests would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

[Andrew Steffens]

It is definitely in the ToS for both Airbnb/VRBO not to drive traffic from that site to off of that site.  You can be removed from the platform and that certainly is not worth it.

However, there are some very basic direct booking sites out that are very cheap.  The fees for Airbnb and VRBO combining host and guest fee are around 20%.  You can save your guest money, make more money yourself, and have more control over your business (i.e. no involuntary refunds) by doing this!