Airbnb Has Announced Changes To The Way Prices Are Listed On Rental Units
A company spokesperson told Travel + Leisure that the company will display the listings total pricing up front, so guests can know what the final price will be ahead of time. It will also include the total price in the search ranking algorithm, as opposed to the basic nightly rate. The total price minus taxes will be shown in search results, the map, filter, and listing pages.
For those using the app in the US, hovering over a grayed out number will show the total price for a property, but after the company implements the changes, it will be the only number shown for a listing.
The tool has been expanded by Airbnb after they rolled out total price listings in the UK and Europe, and is also available in Korea, Australia, and Canada.
Some Guests Have Expressed Frustration With Hidden Fees And Checkout Rules
The company will also advise hosts with what checkout requests are reasonable, and they will now be required to show what their checkout rules are before a guest books a stay.
This comes in response to a lot of online criticism from guests that have experienced ridiculous requests from Airbnb hosts, like extensive cleaning and even bringing in their own sheets. A lot of people have said that they have gone back to preferring hotels, which are no longer that much more expensive and do not require guests to clean after their stay.
The company shared in a statement:
“Guests should not have to do unreasonable checkout tasks such as stripping the beds, doing the laundry, or vacuuming when leaving their Airbnb. But we think it’s reasonable to ask guests to turn off the lights, throw food in the trash, and lock the doors — just like they would when leaving their own home.”
The Company Will Advise Hosts About Which Checkout Rules Are Reasonable
