Airbnb is a tool that allows people to list their own homes, cottages, or rooms for rent to earn extra money. It has become a popular way to avoid the higher costs of traditional homes, but has started to get more expensive in popular travel destinations. Below are some tips to get Airbnb discounts to help make your next trip more affordable.
Last Updated: December 30, 2022
Tips on how to get Airbnb Discounts
1. Book longer stays to get discounts with Airbnb
One good way to save money on Airbnb is to book longer stays. Obviously this isn’t as useful if you only plan to take a short trip, but can be useful if you are staying somewhere longer. Longer stays are nice because you get to become more familiar with an area. It’s especially nice if you have a host that gives recommendations on local attractions.
Booking by the week or month can often include discounts. The amount depends on the host but can sometimes be as much as 10-20%. The amount varies but it certainly can make a difference on the total lodging cost.
2. Reach out to Airbnb hosts to negotiate the rate
Airbnb hosts will sometimes provide additional discounts if you reach out and simply ask them. By clicking the ‘Contact Host’ button on a listing, you can send a polite message with details about your stay and whether or not they can provide a reduced rate. Remember to be very polite, and don’t be pushy if they say no. After all it is their home and they have a right to stick to whatever rate they think is fair. Plus, they might not have issues getting bookings at their full price, so they may not have a reason to provide discounts. On the flip side, they might be willing to provide a lower rate, so it’s sometimes worth asking.
This method can be more effective if you plan to stay for longer, and if you already have good reviews from hosts of previous Airbnb stays. Longer stays will help the host ensure they have more days booked, especially if it’s in the off-season or they are struggling to get bookings. Plus, positive reviews will give them comfort that you will be courteous guests. This is even more important if you are staying longer, since long term visitors tend to make themselves more at home. Hosts need confidence that guests won’t ruin their home, and a history of good reviews will help build trust.
If a host agrees to provide a special rate, they will send you a link with the discount applied. Use that link to place your booking to get the rate you agreed upon. Airbnb recommends that you always book through the site, instead of side deals with the home owner, so that you can utilize their customer service incase there are any issues.
3. Search with Flexible Booking Dates
This tip isn’t necessarily a discount, but it is an effective way to save money. Airbnb has a feature when selecting dates to be flexible. Start by selecting dates, and then clicking one of the buttons to search for stays with 1-7 days on either side of the dates you selected. That way you will see if there are listings for places with lower rates near your original search dates. On the app you can also click ‘I’m Flexible’ when selecting a location to search random destinations that have good deals. This can be a great way to take a spontaneous, affordable vacation. We like to use this feature to help us decide where to travel next to make budget conscious decisions.
Booking in the off season for a destination will often help you find lower rates. Many hosts struggle to secure bookings everyday in the off season, so they will reduce rates. You’ll also benefit from less crowds compared to the busy season in many locations.
This is also why the off season is a good time to try and reach out to hosts to request discounted rates if you’re looking for a long term stay. Again, not all host are willing to negotiate their rate, so remember to be polite and respect their decision.
4. Airbnb Refer a Host Program
At the time of writing this article it is possible to get a $200 referral credit if you refer a host to start using Airbnb. The host will have to sign up and list their place. You will receive the credit once the referred host completes their first qualifying stay.
Unfortunately, they stopped the former $50 referral program that was much easier. You used to be able to refer friends to use the service as guests, not hosts, and once new users completed a stay, you would receive the credit. It’s a little harder to get new users to become hosts, but if you know anyone interested, you could make some money to put towards your next trip.
The old referral program details can be found here. Note the header at the top that states it isn’t active right now. Who knows, maybe it will become active again in the future.
5. Use Frequent Flyer Miles and Credit Card Points to save money with Airbnb
Many credit cards earn reward points for booking travel. While many of them are partnered with traditional hotels, some of them will work on Airbnb bookings, so you can earn reward points for your booking. While it’s not a direct discount, it is a way to save money if you get cash back for your points. You will want to check the terms of your credit card to see if yours qualifies.
Also, some frequent flyer miles will also let you purchase gift cards with your points, which you might be able to use on an Airbnb booking.
Conclusion
Lodging is one of the most expensive items on any travel budget. The tips above should help you to find Airbnb discounts and ways to find more competitive rates. Hopefully, this makes your next trip more affordable.