Choosing your Airbnb well during Covid

Published on 20 October 2020

Are you planning to go away for a weekend or vacation in the coming days and weeks? Then first of all, bravo, you've got some nerve, with the current health situation it's a downright adventure, especially if you head beyond France's borders!

So we're going to help you out a bit by giving you some tips on "how to choose your Airbnb" when planning your vacation. These tips, which aren't all obvious, come partly from our own experience as Airbnb hosts. Because yes, being on the other side of the system also lets you know which traps to avoid, and also flag a few points of vigilance that aren't necessarily obvious. Here we go!

1- Being able to cancel

Choose an Airbnb that offers free cancellation up to the day before your arrival! Right now it's clearly essential. All over the world health conditions are evolving, the conditions for entering countries and regions change every day, as do travel conditions. Everything is too uncertain to commit yourself!

What's more, you probably don't know this, but Airbnb pushes hosts to offer cancellable bookings! So those who refuse won't actually do you any favors in case of cancellation. At the start of the pandemic, Airbnb did still agree to refund travelers in case of a Covid-related problem… that's changing! Indeed, no traveler can pretend to be unaware of the risks when booking their trip anymore, so Airbnb now considers that travelers are responsible if they take the risk anyway. The only case where you might be able to get refunded is if you catch Covid yourself and can prove it, and even then it's not automatic.

In short, so choose accommodation with cancellation, IN ALL CASES.

Oh and don't fall for the "10% discount if you choose the non-cancellable booking", because there too, in case of a problem, you're done for.

2- Having all the details of your arrival and departure ready

When you take an Airbnb, the trickiest thing is always managing the arrival and departure. Your train arrives super early in the morning at your destination? What are you going to do with your luggage before you can get into your Airbnb, and for departure? What times would suit you? Do you need parking?

By having carefully noted all your departure and arrival times, but also your train's arrival time, your flight's, the station concerned, airport, and even the type of shuttle that'll bring you to your Airbnb's address, you effectively have all the information that will reassure your host and let them accommodate you as best they can. Thanks to their experience, they'll be able to estimate your real arrival time at their place, anticipate any delays, and spare you any nasty surprises.

When booking, check that the listing includes the possible time slots for arrival and departure, the possible solutions for your luggage. If this information isn't clearly indicated in the listing, send a message to the host before booking! Most hosts are ultra responsive, and it'll let you avoid booking accommodation that doesn't match your schedule or logistics at all.

3- Choosing well

So yes, the ratings of the accommodations help, but also read the comments, especially the most recent ones. A place can have very good ratings, but offer lame service for a few weeks without it affecting the overall rating. The recent comments will help you.

Don't be afraid of accommodation that doesn't offer instant booking; once again, most hosts will accept (or not) your bookings ultra quickly. If you make a booking request, don't hesitate to give a ton of information about yourself, your companions, your stay. It's very reassuring for a host to have lots of info, and they'll be more inclined to accept your booking.

Don't hesitate to ask questions before booking. For example, if peace and quiet is paramount for you, ask them if there's construction work in their street. If you want to avoid walking too much or, on the contrary, taking public transport too much, ask them for details about the tram/metro/bus stations, the distances to the points of interest, etc.

4- When to make the booking?

Booking at the last minute isn't necessarily a bad plan, especially right now. Since tourism is down, renters are rarer, and many hosts lower their prices as the dates approach. Conversely, many hosts set very high prices on distant dates, "just in case" travelers book without being too picky.

5- Get a Covid test!

Besides the fact that it's sometimes required for your arrival in certain countries, if during your stay you fall ill, or if a test is done at the arrival airport, you risk being quarantined, at your own expense, in a place that will often be imposed on you! It would be dumb for your two-day discount weekend in Rome eating too-good pasta on Piazza Navona to turn into 14 days locked up in a motel on the outskirts of Rome at 1,500 bucks for the stay, having disgusting meal trays delivered to you.

Then beyond the hassle for you, it'll keep you from spreading the virus everywhere during your stay.

6- Keep your host informed of your journey

During your trip to your destination, send little messages regularly to your Airbnb host to keep them posted, even if you're not running late, it'll be appreciated and earn you stars. Communication is a criterion at least as important as cleanliness on the Airbnb platform.

If you're running even the slightest bit late: APOLOGIZE. It seems obvious but most travelers don't apologize, as if they were arriving at a hotel. An Airbnb host who has to wait several hours for you can literally have their day ruined if you're late. So a little "really sorry" is essential, even if you're not responsible for your train's delay.

7- A bit of hygiene

Obviously wear a mask on arrival, and only take it off if your host offers it. Don't hesitate to bring along a pack of wipes or a disinfectant spray, because even though Airbnb hosts commit to doing a big clean, not all of them really do, and having something to clean at least the contact points will keep you from getting contaminated the moment you arrive at your destination.

Air out your Airbnb as soon as you arrive, then very regularly throughout your stay. Yes: even in the middle of winter if it's 3° outside.

8- Odds and ends

Read all the details of the listings carefully and check for hidden fees! Some will charge you for a late arrival, or Internet access. Everything has to be specified in the listing.

Clearly state the number of travelers when booking. Are you two, four? State it when booking and don't lie about this point, otherwise a host may refuse you access (because the rates are often not the same).

Favor Airbnbs run by individuals, the value for money will be better. To do this, look at your host's profile: if they have one listing they're an individual, if they have a ton of them it's surely an agency.

There you go, if you have other ideas or advice, the comments are open!

Photo credit: DR

By Paingout