How to Get an Airbnb Discount

Today, Airbnb is revolutionizing the way we travel. People can stay in homes, apartments, and even treehouses worldwide. How to get an Airbnb discount? Most of us are unaware that we can save some money on our Airbnb bookings.

Whether you’re booking a snug little cottage for a weekend break or a lavishing villa for a longer stay, Airbnb offers a host of discounts to help you stretch your travel dollar further.

This guide will give you an insight into Airbnb pricing, walking through the types of discounts that are available and giving you tips for maximizing the savings you generate.

Understanding Airbnb Pricing: How It Works

Airbnb pricing is dynamic, meaning it can change based on demand, location, and time of year. Here are the factors that influence the final price of your Airbnb booking:

1. Base Rate: The base rate is the nightly cost of staying at a property. This can vary significantly depending on the location, size, and amenities of the property, as well as the time of year.
2. Cleaning Fees: Most hosts charge a one-time cleaning fee that covers the cost of cleaning the property after your stay. This fee can be flat or vary based on the property size.
3. Service Fees: Airbnb charges a service fee, typically a percentage of the total booking amount. This fee helps cover the cost of running the platform.
4. Taxes: Depending on the location, you may be required to pay local taxes on your booking. This could include city occupancy taxes, VAT, or tourism taxes.
5. Discounts: Airbnb offers several discounts that can significantly reduce your overall cost. These include new user discounts, long-stay discounts, and host special offers.

Understanding how these factors contribute to the total cost of your stay can help you better evaluate the discounts available and make informed booking decisions.

Why Airbnb Offers Discounts

Airbnb and its hosts offer discounts for several reasons. Here are the primary motivations behind offering discounted stays:

1. Attracting New Users: Like many platforms, Airbnb offers discounts to first-time users to encourage them to try the service. These new user discounts help the platform grow its customer base and introduce travelers to a unique lodging experience.
2. Filling Unbooked Dates: Hosts sometimes offer discounts to fill gaps in their booking calendar, especially during low-demand periods. A discount can make their listing more appealing and ensure a steady stream of guests.
3. Encouraging Longer Stays: Many hosts offer discounts for extended stays. If you plan to stay for a week or more, you can often negotiate a lower nightly rate with the host.
4. Promotions and Loyalty: Airbnb occasionally runs promotional discounts, especially during peak travel seasons or as part of marketing campaigns. Additionally, regular users of the platform may receive exclusive discounts or special offers.

Types of Discounts Available on Airbnb

You can take advantage of several types of discounts when booking through Airbnb. Understanding these will help you identify the best deals and save more on your stays:

1. First-Time User Discounts: New users can often score a discount on their first booking. This is typically a flat-rate discount or a percentage of the total booking cost.
2. Long-Stay Discounts: Hosts frequently offer extended stay discounts, typically for a week or more bookings. Some hosts may even offer monthly discounts for more extended stays.
3. Last-Minute Discounts: If you’re booking at the last minute, hosts may offer discounts to fill vacant dates. These discounts are usually available on short notice and can provide significant savings.
4. Early Bird Discounts: Some hosts offer discounts for travelers who book well in advance. If you’re planning a trip far ahead, look for these offers to lock in a lower rate.
5. Referral Discounts: Airbnb has a referral program that rewards users for referring new travelers or hosts to the platform. Both the referrer and the referred individual can receive travel credits or discounts.
6. Promotional Discounts: Occasionally, Airbnb runs promotions that offer discounts across the platform. These are usually tied to holidays, special travel events, or partnerships with other companies.

How to Find Airbnb Discounts

Finding Airbnb discounts requires a bit of research and flexibility, but with these strategies, you can uncover the best deals for your stay:

1. Sign Up for Airbnb: If you’re a first-time user, simply signing up for Airbnb may get you a welcome discount. Look out for promotional emails or referral codes from friends that can give you a discount on your first booking.
2. Check for Long-Stay Discounts: When browsing listings, filter by stay length to see if hosts offer discounts for weeklong or monthlong bookings. These discounts are often automatically applied once you select your dates.
3. Use the Price Filter: Set your budget using Airbnb’s price filter to find properties that offer discounts within your price range. This can help you find deals that fit your travel budget.
4. Browse the Last-Minute Offers Section: Airbnb has a section dedicated to last-minute deals, where you can find discounted stays for properties that have unfilled dates shortly.
5. Use Referral Links: If someone you know has already used Airbnb, ask them for a referral link. Both of you can benefit from the platform’s referral program, which typically includes travel credits for new users.

Tips for Booking with Airbnb Discounts

To get the most out of Airbnb discounts, here are some expert tips for booking:

1. Be Flexible with Your Dates: If your travel dates are flexible, you can search for listings with discounted rates during off-peak periods. Traveling mid-week or during shoulder seasons can often yield lower prices.
2. Negotiate with Hosts: If you’re planning a long-term stay, don’t hesitate to ask the host for an additional discount. Many hosts are willing to offer a lower rate for extended stays, especially if you book directly through Airbnb’s messaging platform.
3. Book in Advance for Early Bird Discounts: If you know your travel dates well, look for listings offering early bird discounts. Booking early can lock in a lower rate before prices rise.
4. Avoid Excessive Fees: Some listings have high cleaning or service fees that can offset any discount you might receive. Before booking, compare the total cost of similar properties to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Airbnb Discounts

While Airbnb discounts can save you a lot of money, there are some pitfalls to avoid:

1. Overlooking the Fine Print: Some discounts have specific terms and conditions, such as minimum stay requirements or restrictions on specific properties. Always read the fine print before booking to make sure you qualify for the discount.
2. Booking Without Checking Reviews: Even if a listing is heavily discounted, checking the reviews before booking is essential. Low prices can sometimes indicate subpar accommodations or problematic hosts.
3. Waiting Too Long to Book: Last-minute discounts can be great, but waiting too long can mean missing out on prime listings. If you have specific travel needs, booking in advance rather than relying on last-minute deals is better.
4. Ignoring Cancellation Policies: Airbnb hosts set their cancellation policies, and discounted bookings may come with stricter cancellation terms. Make sure you understand the host’s policy before confirming your booking.

How to Stay Updated on the Latest Airbnb Discounts

To stay updated on the latest Airbnb discounts, try these methods:

1. Subscribe to Airbnb Emails: Sign up for Airbnb’s email list to receive notifications about upcoming promotions, discounts, and deals in your inbox.
2. Follow Airbnb on Social Media: Follow Airbnb on social platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where they often post exclusive deals or announcements about promotional events.
3. Use Deal Aggregators: Websites like Groupon or Travelzoo occasionally feature Airbnb deals. Set up alerts or check these platforms regularly for special discounts.

How Beem Can Help You Save on Airbnb Bookings

Beem is a handy tool like BFF (Budget Planner – The Better FinancialFeed ™) that helps travelers discover the best ways to manage money. With this AI-powered app, you can discover options for budget planning, tracking finances, sending and receiving money, and more.

Beem ensures that you get the most out of your travel budget. Whether it’s a first-time user discount or a last-minute deal, Beem’s intuitive interface makes it easy to manage your budget with just a few clicks.

Conclusion

Besides offering discounts, Airbnb lets users save money through various other discounts. It is essential that the user understand the different kinds of discounts available, know where to find them, and sometimes endure some best practices when booking.

Uniquely situated stays are perfectly within reach without costing you your last dollar. Whether you are a new user or a seasoned traveler, Airbnb discounts will maximize your travel enjoyment.

FAQs: How to Get an Airbnb Discount