AirBNB - Share your experiences here

[get me outta here]

A couple of years ago I had a stay in NYC in the LES with a 'superhost'. Does anyone know how to narrow down a search for superhosts in general on abnb?

 

[Princess Fiona]

A couple of years ago I had a stay in NYC in the LES with a 'superhost'. Does anyone know how to narrow down a search for superhosts in general on abnb?

Filters

 

[get me outta here]

Thank you, very good.

Filters
View attachment 80961 View attachment 80962

 

[coles525]

Freakin.. I typed heaps, but didn't update!

Might just cut and past later, as I wrote notes on one of our bnb nights.

 

[coles525]

Lets try again!

This was in Delhi within the last week, for a 1 night stay in an apartment room. Long story short, after our bad review one of the hosts contacted as by sms saying we should have made contact with them to sort things out, not through a manager at the location.

We did in fact 1st make contact with one of the hosts, but they said speak to the manager on duty!!!!!

 

[fairbasa]

Is there any way to filter by cancellation policy? I find it really annoying you have to click through the property to read the cancellation policy...

 

[Princess Fiona]

Is there anyway to filter by cancellation policy? I find it really annoying you have to click through the property to read the cancellation policy...

No there isn't I'm afraid

 

[kpc]

I've moved onto Airbnb past couple of years.... looking at cancellation clause is also important. I booked in Notting Hill for upcoming trip. The reviews were fine, I just never felt comfortable. I cancelled, it was strict cancellation. Lost half of my money. Next time I will be more aware.

Is there any way to filter by cancellation policy? I find it really annoying you have to click through the property to read the cancellation policy...

No there isn't I'm afraid

I'm looking at booking AirBNB next June in New York for a week for 4 guests. I have never booked AirBNB before but all the properties I have looked at have a "strict cancellation" policy meaning if I cancel, I'll lose 1/2 the amount which is a lot if the total costs are more than $2000....a bit nervous booking now as it is 8 months away! Also, any disadvantages (apart from commute time) staying in Brooklyn (near a subway station) as opposed to Manhattan as this seems to be cheaper. Any hints / advice appreciated!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I have never used Air BNB but I did read this story in a newspaper online recently. I couldn't remember which site - but googling it comes up with -

I would be very careful about NYC and renting privately !

NY enacts restrictions on Airbnb, with fines of up to $7,500 | Fox News


then there is this - "Why are vacation apartment rentals a bad idea in New York City? "

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Trav...City:New-York:Vacation.Apartment.Rentals.html

 

[get me outta here]

Under most circumstances in NY it is illegal. Therefore, you can turn up and find you have no accommodation and no money. Have a look at Trip Advisor, they have a lot to say about AirBnB in NY, all negative.

Also on TA, there are people on there who are accommodation experts. if you post your exact dates and requirements, and budget they will give very good suggestions.

I'm looking at booking AirBNB next June in New York for a week for 4 guests. I have never booked AirBNB before but all the properties I have looked at have a "strict cancellation" policy meaning if I cancel, I'll lose 1/2 the amount which is a lot if the total costs are more than $2000....a bit nervous booking now as it is 8 months away! Also, any disadvantages (apart from commute time) staying in Brooklyn (near a subway station) as opposed to Manhattan as this seems to be cheaper. Any hints / advice appreciated!

 

[fairbasa]

I'm looking at booking AirBNB next June in New York for a week for 4 guests. I have never booked AirBNB before but all the properties I have looked at have a "strict cancellation" policy meaning if I cancel, I'll lose 1/2 the amount which is a lot if the total costs are more than $2000....a bit nervous booking now as it is 8 months away! Also, any disadvantages (apart from commute time) staying in Brooklyn (near a subway station) as opposed to Manhattan as this seems to be cheaper. Any hints / advice appreciated!

I'm no NY expert but I've been there a few times including once recently. I don't really see any disadvantage being in Brooklyn as long as you're close to a subway station. You can be in Manhattan in only a few minutes. There's so many attractions all over the place that no matter where you stay you'll need to jump on the subway anyway.

Only potential issue with Airbnb is the host can cancel on you at the last minute and in NY you'd be paying a mint to stay anywhere else.

I'm staying there in September next year and elected to go with a hotel. Signed up for the AMEX Explorer so got 50k SPG points, that plus $10k of spend on the card gets me 60k SPG points which is enough for 6 nights in a Category 5 property such as the Sheraton Time Square (12k points per night depending on season + every 5th night free). Free cancellation. I calculated it's going to save me $3-$4k. Just some food for thought anyway!

 

[kpc]

Just saw this: Airbnb ban could tear traveler’s family apart | New York Post

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

If the host cancels you get your money back and Airbnb will offer a credit (it goes up the closer to your arrival day they cancel) to rebook using their system. Happened to me and I ended up getting a bigger better place.

 

[cove]

I was happy with 4 nights in Marriott Marquis in Times Square for an all up $1600 using Citi Prestige service. We can have a great time seeing shows and sight seeing. New York City is definitely trying to crush AirBNB at the moment.

 

[get me outta here]

I was just reading on TA that although illegal in NY state making it unreliable, it may be safer in New Jersey.

 

[get me outta here]

When it is a scam, it can lead to no refund. A hotel with a kitchen, and free breakfasts is not hard to get. Even if needing 2 bedrooms. There is a long post on TA listing all those options.

If the host cancels you get your money back and Airbnb will offer a credit (it goes up the closer to your arrival day they cancel) to rebook using their system. Happened to me and I ended up getting a bigger better place.

 

[kpc]

A couple of years ago I had a stay in NYC in the LES with a 'superhost'. Does anyone know how to narrow down a search for superhosts in general on abnb?

I was just reading on TA that although illegal in NY state making it unreliable, it may be safer in New Jersey.

When it is a scam, it can lead to no refund. A hotel with a kitchen, and free breakfasts is not hard to get. Even if needing 2 bedrooms. There is a long post on TA listing all those options.

Not withstanding the current legal issues, did you have any issues with your previous AirBNB stay in NYC?

Could you post that TA link? Ta

 

[get me outta here]

I was travelling alone and stayed in the LES which is a great area. I had been to NYC a few times, but not so recently so I thought it might be an idea to stay with some locals, and they were a great help, and were AirBnB super hosts. I was in a very nice huge converted factory loft in my own suite but the owners were in residence, that made it 'legal'. It was very successful for the 1 week I spent with them.

Not withstanding the current legal issues, did you have any issues with your previous AirBNB stay in NYC?

 

[burmans]

I was travelling alone and stayed in the LES which is a great area. I had been to NYC a few times, but not so recently so I thought it might be an idea to stay with some locals, and they were a great help, and were AirBnB super hosts. I was in a very nice huge converted factory loft in my own suite but the owners were in residence, that made it 'legal'. It was very successful for the 1 week I spent with them.

Yes, I think it is important to differentiate the "genuine" hosting with the owner in residence arrangements (which is legal) vs the holiday apartment (which isn't). I'm a huge fan of AirBNB but definitely would be very cautious in NYC.

All this talk makes me look back fondly at my stay in NYC a few years ago through a deal I found via here and on Flyertalk. At the times rooms at the Staybridge Suites in Times Square cost on 20K points a night and you could buy those 20K at $60 per 10K using the well known IHG method (the $ was at parity). Free breakfast included, plus weeknights they had drinks and food laid on (not a meal as such though no doubt you could eat enough for a meal) for $120/night and two blocks from Times Square.

 

[burmans]

Anyone here with experience of using a AirBnB gift card, particularly interested to see if we can add a USD card to an Australian account, this may be useful 20% Off Airbnb Gift Cards - One Mile at a Time