Contrary to popular belief, traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, for the amount the average household spends on one vacation, they could be taking multiple trips.
Most travel costs can be reduced through smart planning and a few creative travel hacks. One of the best ways to save on travel costs is through Airbnb.
What is Airbnb?
Even if you’ve never used Airbnb, you’ve probably heard of it. It’s a site where regular people rent out their extra spaces – from a spare bedroom to an entire house – to travelers. And because they don’t have all the extra overhead like traditional hotels, the cost savings is dramatic.
Booking your travel accommodations through Airbnb can save you tons of money compared to a hotel, but that’s just the start of it. It’s convenient and can also enrich your overall travel experience.
How to Maximize Your Airbnb Experience
When you’re planning a trip, picking the right Airbnb can make or break your experience. There are a lot of great ways to get the most bang for your buck when choosing to stay at an Airbnb instead of a hotel. Here are the best Airbnb hacks to make your trip memorable — and affordable.
Airbnb Hack #1: Be Flexible
Many Airbnb hosts offer a discounted rate when you stay during the week, rather than a weekend. So when planning your trip, look for those less-expensive Airbnb dates before comparing flights to get the most bang for your buck.
Depending on your destination, you may also find Airbnb hosts who offer discounted rates for the off-season. Those dates vary based on your location, so a little research can really pay off. For example, you might find that a trip to Boston in April could save you hundreds compared to traveling in June.
Airbnb Hack #2: Look for Quality Clues
There are certain characteristics about a listing that can tell you about its quality. First of all, before booking anything, take a few moments to carefully look at the pictures. Hosts who post clear, bright, sharp images with their spaces looking tidy are more likely to be high-quality. Even if you find a similar place for cheaper, the image quality can tell you all you need to know about a host’s attention to detail. Savvy travelers know that money well-spent is always better than money wasted.
Another clue that can tip you off to quality is perhaps an obvious one, but still often overlooked. Take the time to read through the reviews before you take the plunge and book. Take a look to see what reviewers had to say. Like with most reviews, you’ll want to take anything you read with a grain of salt. But taking the time to read the reviews can give you great insight into the issues that may (or may not) affect your experience.
Airbnb Hack #3: Score Deals at the Last Minute
If you’re traveling during a less busy time, consider waiting to book. It can be a little risky to wait, but often times you can score a great deal booking the same or next day. A friend of mine will sometimes book a fully-refundable hotel just in case, and cancel if they can find an awesome same or next-day Airbnb rental. Note that this strategy is only recommended for experienced Airbnb users with a verified profile
Also Read: How to Travel The World For Free
Airbnb Hack #4: Be Host Picky
One of the reasons Airbnb is so great is that they offer transparency. You can look to see what a host’s response rate is — if it’s below 95%, chances are they’re not someone you want to work with. Avoid cheaper Airbnbs with hosts that have low response rates, or missing profile pictures, or property descriptions that leave too much to the imagination. You’ll get a much better experience from hosts who respond quickly, since they’re the ones truly interested in making your stay a memorable one.
Airbnb Hack #5: Be a Desirable Guest
That Airbnb transparency that we love so much goes both ways. Lots of people underestimate how important their traveler profile looks, but it can make a huge difference. You can add an image, bio, email, and phone number to your Airbnb account to show you’re a real – and trustworthy – person. Taking the time to polish your profile will pay off since hosts may be more likely to lend out their space to you.
Airbnb Hack #6: Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate!
Before you request to book a space, start a conversation with the host. Start out with complimenting their space, and see if you can find a bit of common ground with them. Developing a personal relationship will give you the means to ask for a discount. You might be surprised at how willing hosts are to negotiate their prices simply because you reached out to have a conversation. Note that this hack doesn’t always work, but then again, it never hurts to ask.
Also Read: Travel Hacking 101 – The Ultimate Guide to Free Travel
Airbnb Hack #7: Make Your Airbnb a Cornerstone of Your Trip
Your Airbnb can be more than just a place to sleep. If you’re interested in outdoor adventures, perhaps your Airbnb host has bikes or other equipment available for you to use. Or if you’re traveling to wine country, save the money on the wine tasting and instead pick up a few bottles to enjoy from the comfort of your your Airbnb with some local takeout from a restaurant recommended by your Airbnb host.
While this may go without saying, finding an Airbnb with lots of attractions within walking distance can save you a ton on transportation costs. Maximizing your Airbnb can help save you money, as well as make your trip much more memorable (and fun!) than if you had stayed at a boring, basic hotel.
Airbnb Hack #8: Read the Fine Print
Read your Airbnb listing carefully to avoid any surprises. For example, you might see a listing with pictures of a kitchen and bathroom, but the fine print could reveal that you’ll be sharing those common spaces with others. Reading the details carefully helps make sure you’ll get the space and travel experience that you expect.
Another place to read carefully is the house rules. Every rental will have some rules, but some hosts are more strict than others. If you are staying with a group of friends, make sure everyone knows the rules – especially ones about taking care of common spaces and quiet hours!
Reading through the rules in advance ensures that you and your host have the same expectations. Plus, it’s in your best interest to follow the rules. After all, “bad” guests who break the rules can find it more difficult to make Airbnb reservations in the future!
Airbnb Hack #9: Get the App and Share It
The Airbnb app makes it easy for you to respond to messages and get in touch with your host when you’re traveling. Plus, if you share the Airbnb app with a new user, you’ll get FREE travel credit for your next Airbnb stay when they make their first reservation! This hack is the definition of a win-win.
Airbnb Hack #10: Rent Out Your Own Place
If you’re traveling, why not make a little extra money by renting out your own place? Post your space on Airbnb and get paid while you’re away, rather than letting your empty home sit there. While this hack takes a little more prep work, it can be a huge money-saver.
Depending on your situation, using Airbnb to rent out your own space can make up for the cost of wherever you’re going — meaning you should be planning even more trips!
So what are you waiting for? Get online and start planning your next vacation! Knowing all these Airbnb travel hacks will help you create awesome – and inexpensive – travel experiences with memories that will last you a lifetime.
