Airbnb Plus: 10 Key Benefits for Hosts and Guests

Airbnb Plus is a new program that debuted earlier this year to mark the 10th anniversary of Airbnb. Airbnb Plus is a brand of accommodations that are designed to meet specific criteria and offer certain amenities.

Airbnb Plus initially rolled out in 13 cities, including Los Angeles, Shanghai, Toronto, and Milan. Currently, there are more than 2,000 properties available. By the end of the year, that number is expected to grow to over 75,000 properties in more than 50 cities worldwide.

The new brand offers many features for both hosts and guests that are designed to make using Airbnb more enjoyable for everyone. Here is a brief overview of Airbnb Plus and 10 key benefits of the brand for both hosts and guests.

Why Airbnb Created Airbnb Plus

For many guests, finding the right property that matches their specific needs is a challenge. Airbnb has struggled in recent years with a lack of quality control as the number of available rental properties on the platform has mushroomed.

In addition, there are also a large number of people who haven’t yet tried Airbnb simply because they don’t like a surprise. The introduction of Airbnb Plus has made it easier for guests to sort through properties to find the ones that match their preferences. At the same time, hosts now have the ability to advertise directly to the audiences that they want to attract.

In short, Airbnb Plus is a win-win for both hosts and guests alike.

Airbnb Plus Requirements for Hosts

In order to meet Airbnb Plus’s standards for quality, Airbnb has made the new program invitation-only for hosts. Overall, the requirements for hosts who want to be included in Airbnb Plus are fairly strict.

“Becoming an Airbnb Plus host requires the combination of an excellent host and excellent accommodations,” says David Cross, author of Best Airbnb Hosting Tips. “While the requirements are extensive, the rewards can be as well!”

Per the Airbnb website, Airbnb requires that hosts maintain the following minimum standards:

• Well-reviewed. To be included in the program, an Airbnb host’s ratings must average 4.8 or higher.
• The host must accept at least 95% of booking requests that come in.
• Hosts must demonstrate the commitment to their Airbnb businesses by making sure that there have been no cancellations in the past year.

Booking-related metrics aren’t the only thing that Airbnb considers. Hosts are also required to maintain certain standards when it comes to aesthetics and amenities offered.

Hosts must ensure that the property delivers:

• Thoughtful design. Furniture should be carefully arranged and the property should include specific design elements.
• Hosts must make the check-in process as easy as possible and offer hotel-like amenities.
• Technology and safety features. Airbnb prefers properties that offer fast Wi-Fi, must-have appliances, and emergency safety equipment.
• Proper maintenance. Properties must receive regular maintenance and be well-kept.

A full list of the requirements for Airbnb Plus can be found here. Since every property is manually reviewed for inclusion in the program, the final decision on whether or not a property will be included in the program is at the discretion of the Airbnb’s staff. In fact, Architectural Digest has already published a guide on what they think it takes to get your property approved for the Airbnb Plus.

Airbnb Plus Benefits for Guests

Airbnb Plus is all about making using Airbnb more convenient and enjoyable for guests. There are several key benefits that this program delivers for guests.

1. Guests Who Prefer Hotels Can Finally Try Airbnb

For guests who prefer to stay in hotels, the standards established by Airbnb Plus finally make it possible for them to try Airbnb. They’ll no longer have to worry about surprises differences in amenities between their favorite hotels and Airbnb properties.

2. Guests Can Find Properties for Specific Occasions

Airbnb Plus makes it easier than ever for guests to find properties for specific occasions. Whether they are traveling for a honeymoon, family vacation or an active weekend in the outdoors, Collections make it easy for them to find what they want.

3. Minimum Standards for Listings

Guests have high expectations when it comes to booking vacation rentals. Airbnb Plus finally establishes minimum standards so that guests who expect luxury and quality don’t have to waste their time vetting listings.

4. Premium Customer Support

Guests who book properties that are enrolled in the Airbnb Plus program will receive premium customer support from Airbnb. This helps them to resolve issues faster and get support when they need it.

5. Faster Booking

With Airbnb Plus, guests no longer have to worry about being declined by hosts. Airbnb Plus requires that hosts accept nearly all bookings they receive.

Airbnb Plus Benefits for Hosts

When guests are happy, hosts are happy too. In fact, Airbnb Plus offers a wide range of benefits for Airbnb hosts. Here are the top 5 key benefits for hosts.

1. You’ll Earn More Bookings

Airbnb Plus properties represent the crème de la crème of Airbnb options. In addition, because no other vacation rental platform offers the unique features of Airbnb Plus, it is only expected to increase the number of bookings that you receive.

2. Guests Will Trust You More

Airbnb Plus performs the due diligence on every property so that guests don’t have to work as hard to figure everything out. As a result, you’ll get more guests who will just accept that you know what you’re doing.

When you have guests who understand that you’re the expert at delivering a stellar customer experience for them, they can simply relax and enjoy. They’ll be fewer questions and fewer hassles (hopefully).

3. You Can Charge a Premium

Since you’ll no longer be just a Superhost but a member of Airbnb Plus, you’ll also be able to raise your prices on your bookings. Instead of having to compete with every single user on the Airbnb platform, your competitors will become only those other hosts who are in the Airbnb Plus program. If your property offers a fairly unique experience in comparison to other properties, you might even have less competition.

4. You’ll Deliver Better Service

Now that you have to abide by the additional standards of the Airbnb Plus program, you’ll deliver even better service. With the guidance provided by Airbnb staff and vendors, you’ll have access to interior design advice, professional photography, premium customer support options, and much more.

5. You’ll Receive Higher Placement in Airbnb’s Search Rankings

Airbnb has also promised to give its plus listings higher placement in its search listings over its regular listings. This will make your listings stand out to guests, helping you to attract more bookings.

As you can see, Airbnb Plus is a welcome addition to the Airbnb platform that will only make using Airbnb better for everyone.

Source:

https://www.airgms.com/property-management-software/airbnb-plus-key-benefits/