Airbnb Plus: Benefits for Hosts and Guests

Airbnb has been going strong for some time now and offers an opportunity for homeowners and investors to make a decent income from renting to guests. As more and more people have begun using the platform, it has expanded and now offers additional benefits to both hosts and guests.

Airbnb Plus is a program that rolled out in 2018. It was launched in honor of the company’s 10th anniversary. Airbnb Plus is a separate set of accommodations, intended to meet certain criteria and amenities. The brand offers numerous features for both hosts and guests and the goal is to make an Airbnb stay as enjoyable as possible.

Here is what you need to know about Airbnb Plus requirements and the benefits for hosts and those staying on Airbnb properties.

For many consumers, finding a property which matches their precise needs is challenging. Airbnb has historically struggled with a deficiency in quality control, as the number of rental properties available via Airbnb has expanded. Additionally, there are a number of people who are skeptical of Airbnb, because they don’t know what to expect. The premier of Airbnb Plus has streamlined the process for potential guests to filter properties, in order to find accommodations to suit their needs. Simultaneously, successful hosts can now target advertisements to the specific consumers they would like to attract.

Airbnb Plus: Hosts Need to Be Invited

To meet the Airbnb Plus benchmarks for quality, Airbnb has made the program invitation-only for hosts. Requirements are stringent, and the property must meet the standards, based on several areas.  These areas include design, ease of check in, technology and safety features, and proper maintenance.  These are also some of the areas which are evaluated by Airbnb to gain entry into the plus program.  These standards must be maintained, and even improved upon to retain plus status.  Consumers can expect the accommodations to be clean, well-maintained, luxurious, and include appliances and fast Wi-Fi.

So does needing an invite mean you’re out of luck… until you get lucky and are asked?

Not necessarily. There’s plenty you can do to improve your odds of being able to participate in the Airbnb Plus program. But your goal shouldn’t be to be invited into the program on its own. Instead, you need to focus on being the best possible host you can be. Make your goal to provide a great guest experience each and every time. If you receive anything other than glowing feedback from guests, pay attention and build on it. Guests are there to teach you how to improve and over time, you’ll reap the benefits offered by Airbnb.

Airbnb Plus: How Do Airbnb Guests Benefit?

The benefit to the consumer (and Airbnb alike), is that Airbnb is attempting to take some of the uncertainty out of the process, thereby luring long-time hotel customers to their services.  Consumers who prefer hotels, due to the amenities and transparency in fees, can now enjoy the same conveniences with Airbnb.  Guests will be able to use the ‘Collections’ feature, to search for properties which meet a specific need, or for a special occasion.

Airbnb has established minimum standards for quality and luxury amenities, which saves the consumer the hassle of verifying this on their own.  Guests staying at an Airbnb plus property receive premier customer service, which helps resolve any potential issues faster.  Guests can also enjoy ease of booking, without fear of having their reservation declined.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to get people who would otherwise be uncomfortable staying at a private Airbnb property to give it a try.

Airbnb knows that it’s service isn’t for everyone. Many travelers won’t want to give up the autonomy of staying at a hotel over sharing someone’s private home. But this is also a great way to get the word out that many Airbnb rentals are private. They offer all of the independence and privacy of a hotel room, but can give a guest even more than a hotel has to offer.

If guests have discounted renting through Airbnb in the past, finding a property that meets the Airbnb Plus requirements is a great way to get a taste of what renting with the platform an provide.

Airbnb plus properties earn more bookings, because they are expected to be the ‘crown jewel’ properties that the company has to offer. With this in mind, the plus properties can expect to be able to charge a premier for their bookings. These properties are in competition with only other plus members, and can immediately expect to be able to raise their prices to compete. Airbnb will assist the plus members with providing premium services, with help in the areas of design, photographing a property professionally, and offering premium customer service. Airbnb also provides its plus members with a higher ranking in the search listing, giving precedence over other listings which are not plus members.

In short, the program benefits both consumers and property owners.

Airbnb Plus: Striving for Plus

If you’re a guest, all you need to do is look to see if a property listed on the Airbnb platform qualifies as Plus. If you have higher standards or you’re a first-time Airbnb user, these properties might be the ones you’ll want to migrate to when traveling.

If you’re an Airbnb host, now is the time to begin planning how you will achieve Plus status. Again, you don’t want that to be your only goal. However, if you have every intention of sticking with Airbnb for the long haul and making your property better and better, setting your sights on a Plus listing is a great way to move you forward. It gives you a goal and makes for a great approach to running your Airbnb like a true business. You’ll be able to charge more and guests will be thrilled that you’re able to meet their expectations, even if they are greater than they’ve ever been.

To be successful at running an Airbnb Plus property, go above and beyond and operate as if you’ve already achieved your goal.