Page Contents<\/p>
- How To Find and Book a Great Airbnb<\/a>
- Airbnb-specific search criteria<\/a><\/li>
- Always read the reviews<\/a><\/li>
- Communicate with your Airbnb host<\/a><\/li>
- Protect your Airbnb guest rating<\/a><\/li>
- Understand Airbnb's cancellation policies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How To Maximize Your Airbnb Purchase<\/a>
- Stack methods for maximum return<\/a><\/li>
- Using gift cards on Airbnb<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Pro Tips for Booking an Airbnb<\/a>
- You can (and should) bargain for your Airbnb\u2019s price<\/a><\/li>
- Always book with Superhosts (with a few exceptions)<\/a><\/li>
- Always pay for your Airbnb with a credit card offering travel insurance<\/a><\/li>
- Get familiar with Airbnb Support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
How To Find and Book a Great Airbnb<\/span><\/h2>\n
Airbnb-specific search criteria<\/span><\/h3>\n
Airbnb has many faults<\/a>, but one of its best features is the ability to customize your search in many ways. There are roughly 40 times as many Airbnb rentals as hotels worldwide. So, if your city has 100 hotels, there might be 4,000 Airbnb listings available. That means that you need far more complex search features than you'd utilize when searching for a hotel to find a property that meets your needs.<\/p>\n
When you're ready to search for an Airbnb stay, you'll select an area, your dates, and the number of guests. Then you'll be able to add filters the same way you can when booking a hotel, including the number of beds or bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, and the maximum price you're willing to pay. You'll also be able to choose whether you want to rent an entire apartment or a private room in a shared apartment.<\/p>\n
![\"Airbnb](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Screenshot of Airbnb<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n In addition to the standard criteria, Airbnb offers several unique search filters. You can filter by accessibility features, host language, property type (apartment, house, hotel, or guesthouse), and booking options (instant book, self check-in, or pet-friendly).<\/p>\n
Note that if a property doesn't offer instant bookings, the host will have 24 hours to approve or reject your request. If you're booking at the last minute and don't have time to wait for approval, instant booking lets you confirm your reservation immediately.<\/p>\n
Without a doubt, Airbnb's best filters are for individual amenities, including:<\/p>\n
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- Access to a full kitchen.<\/b> A kitchen can be one of the key differences between an Airbnb and a standard hotel. Being able to cook reduces travel costs and can be critical when traveling with a family.<\/li>\n
- <\/b>Washer\/dryer.<\/b> Most hotels charge dearly for laundry services, which is another way an Airbnb can help you save costs. However, you can't filter by whether the washer and dryer are in-unit or in-building, so be sure to verify with your host so you know what to expect.<\/li>\n
- <\/b>Free parking.<\/b> Unlike hotels, Airbnbs may or may not offer a designated parking spot. If you\u2019re driving or renting a car, it makes sense to filter for it.<\/li>\n
- <\/b>A\/C or heater.<\/b>\u00a0While centralized heating and air conditioning are relatively universal for hotels and Airbnbs in the U.S., this isn't always the case internationally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can filter for 17+ additional amenities, ranging from a hot tub to a carbon monoxide alarm. Some cities also offer location filters \u2014 if you rent an apartment in San Francisco, you can filter by waterfront. If you rent in Florianopolis, Brazil, you can filter by beachfront.<\/p>\n
However, in my experience, the more filters you use, the more limited your results will be. And just because an Airbnb doesn't list something as an amenity doesn't mean it isn't offered. For instance, almost every Airbnb nowadays offers Wi-Fi, but not every Airbnb lists it as an amenity. If it's not listed, it's always good to double-check with the host before booking, but you might not want to filter for it.<\/p>\n
The converse is also true \u2014 just because something is listed as an amenity doesn't mean it'll be what you expect. For instance, hosts are very loose with how they define a “dedicated workspace.” While this is supposed to be for a desk, if there is a flat surface inside an Airbnb, the host might list the apartment as having a dedicated workspace. If you are working remotely, that might mean you're working on a kitchen countertop or a dining room table.<\/p>\n
Screenshot of Airbnb<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Luxe:<\/strong> Airbnb also offers higher-end stays, called Luxe, which are five-star vacation rentals. Not every city will offer Luxe properties, so if you select this filter and don't see any results, don't be alarmed.<\/p>\n
Guest Favorites:<\/strong> If you want a trustworthy stay, you can also filter by Guest Favorite. Although a relatively ambiguous category of stays, each property with a Guest Favorite tag has been rated highly by at least five guests and meets specific criteria, including standards for cleanliness, location, and communication.<\/p>\n
Superhosts:<\/strong> You used to be able to filter by Superhosts, who are among Airbnb's most elite hosts with a long track record of stellar reviews. This filter was removed a few years ago, but you'll still see a tag in the results if your stay would be hosted by a Superhost.<\/p>\n
Always read the reviews<\/span><\/h3>\n
It might seem obvious, but disregarding reviews is the primary reason many people have negative experiences with Airbnb. Never book an Airbnb without thoroughly reviewing all the feedback. Previous guests are usually honest about a property's strengths and shortcomings. Make sure you're fully satisfied with the reviews before making any reservations.<\/p>\n
Additionally, note any host responses to those reviews. Is the host open to criticism and willing to make an effort to fix the issue? Or is the host hostile or passive-aggressive? The answer can give you great insights into whether you want to be a guest there.<\/p>\n
If the apartment is new to the platform, you can check the host's profile to see whether they have reviews from other listings. It's probably safe to rent a new apartment without reviews if the host has hundreds of positive reviews from other Airbnb listings.<\/p>\n
Communicate with your Airbnb host<\/span><\/h3>\n
One of my favorite things about Airbnb is that it encourages communication between hosts and guests. Before booking a space, you can easily reach out to a host to discuss a property's availability, amenities, pricing concerns, and any questions you might have. Not only can this be helpful in the booking process, but it can also help make your Airbnb stay more personalized than a hotel stay<\/a>.<\/p>\n
There are several situations when having the ability to communicate with a host can be beneficial:<\/p>\n
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- <\/b>Requesting property specifics that are left out of a listing page or are unclear<\/li>\n
- Communicating concerns or questions during a stay<\/li>\n
- Requesting or receiving check-in\/check-out information<\/li>\n
- Seeking assistance with any problems post-checkout<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
A good host should always try to respond to messages quickly and concisely. If any experience with a prospective host indicates otherwise, you may want to consider a different property.<\/p>\n
You can find the “Message host” button at the very bottom of a listing, below the reviews and map.<\/p>\n
Screenshot of Airbnb<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Protect your Airbnb guest rating<\/span><\/h3>\n
An important \u2014 yet often overlooked \u2014 aspect of the Airbnb platform is hosts' ability to review guests after every stay. As a guest, this adds a new element compared to a hotel stay. Now, you have a greater obligation to be a responsible and courteous guest, since poor reviews may result in rejections of future booking requests.<\/p>\n
Host and guests have 14 days after check-out to review each other. Neither review is published until this window has passed or both reviews have been submitted. You don't have to worry about receiving a negative review as a guest in retaliation for writing a negative review of your host.<\/p>\n
The best way to preserve your guest rating is by viewing every stay from the host\u2019s perspective. What would you want if you were hosting a guest in your own property? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:<\/p>\n
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- Ask your host about the check-in and check-out procedures if they don\u2019t automatically share them.<\/strong> Showing your host that you care about their protocol is an easy way to get on their good side.<\/li>\n
- Take care of the property.<\/strong> This one should be common sense, but you\u2019d be surprised at how many horror stories Airbnb hosts can share about guests breaking furniture, leaving stains, and even stealing items from the home.<\/li>\n
- Communicate any issues with your stay promptly, honestly, and clearly.<\/strong> Problems can happen with any kind of stay. You give the host the best chance to address these issues quickly and efficiently by sharing them immediately.<\/li>\n
- Review the host's rules thoroughly.<\/strong> Different neighborhoods may have varying regulations, and the host should have clearly outlined the property rules. It's essential to carefully read and adhere to these guidelines. Failure to do so can affect your rating and even result in fines from the city for the property owner.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Screenshot of Airbnb<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n You can find your reviews and all of your past trips in your profile. I recommend filling out your profile with your interests, job, a short bio, and other information if you are just getting started on the platform. You are renting someone's home, so it's helpful for them to get to know you before you arrive.<\/p>\n
Understand Airbnb's cancellation policies<\/span><\/h3>\n
Airbnb allows hosts to choose their refund policy from several options. Hosts can set cancellation policies that range from very flexible to very strict. Before booking an Airbnb, it's crucial to understand the refund policy. If there is any chance you will need to cancel or change your reservation, only book an Airbnb that offers free cancellation. All guests receive a 24-hour risk-free cancellation as long as the reservation was confirmed at least 7 days before check-in.<\/p>\n
However, cancellation policies will depend on the number of nights, with different policies for long-term stays than for short-term stays.<\/p>\n
Here are some of the common cancellation policies for short-term stays (less than 28 nights):<\/p>\n
- \n
- Flexible:<\/strong> Free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in.<\/li>\n
- Moderate:<\/strong> Free cancellation up to five days before check-in.<\/li>\n
- Limited:<\/strong> Free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in, 50% refund if canceled seven to 14 days before check-in.<\/li>\n
- Firm:<\/strong> Free cancellation up to 30 days before check-in, 50% refund if canceled seven to 30 days before check-in.<\/li>\n
- Non-refundable:\u00a0<\/strong>Only some hosts provide this option, but if they do, you can get a discount on your stay (normally 10%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For monthly stays (28 nights or more), you'll see the following refund options:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Firm:<\/strong> Free cancellation up to 30 days before check-in.<\/li>\n
- Strict:<\/strong> Free cancellation for 48 hours after booking, provided the cancellation is at least 28 days before check-in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
After these windows, the first 30 days of monthly reservations are nonrefundable.<\/p>\n
As long as you cancel your reservation during the host's free cancellation period, you'll also be refunded all applicable cleaning fees, taxes, and Airbnb service fees. If you haven't already booked your stay, you'll find the cancellation policy at the very bottom of a listing.<\/p>\n
Screenshot of Airbnb\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n How To Maximize Your Airbnb Purchase<\/span><\/h2>\n
Any analysis of how to book on Airbnb shouldn't overlook the points-earning opportunities available during the booking process. While Airbnb doesn't offer a loyalty program, you can still earn lots of points on stays. Here are some of the best methods to maximize the return on your spending:<\/p>\n
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- <\/b>Earn the most points per $1 on your Airbnb.<\/b> The Ink Business Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>), American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Green Card<\/a>, and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey\u2120 Card<\/a> all earn 3X transferrable points on general travel purchases like Airbnb.<\/li>\n
- Use Airbnb Gift Cards.\u00a0<\/strong>If you don't have any of the cards above, you can use a card that earns bonus points at office supply stores<\/a> to buy Airbnb gift cards to use for your next booking. For instance, the <\/b>Ink Business Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>) earns 5X Ultimate Rewards<\/a> points (or 5% cash back) per dollar on the first $25k spent annually on these purchases.<\/li>\n
- <\/b>United Mileage Plus X App.<\/b>\u00a0The United MPX app<\/a> sells Airbnb E-gift cards. It currently awards just 1 United mile per $1 spent on the purchase, but if you use a United credit card<\/a>, you'll get a 25% bonus.<\/li>\n
- <\/b>British Airways, Delta, or Qantas Airbnb Partnerships.<\/b>\u00a0Each of these airlines offers an Airbnb booking portal that awards bonus miles if you book your stay through them. The booking portals can be found here: British Airways<\/a> (2X Avios), Delta<\/a> (1X SkyMiles), and Qantas<\/a> (1X Points). British Airways\u2019 portal currently pays out the best at 2 Avios per dollar spent on your booking.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n\n\nInk Business Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\nRates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Ink Business Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/strong>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$95<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>The most valuable Ultimate Rewards signup bonus on offer and our top pick for small business rewards cards. Business owners earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to 450,000 points per year on a wide range of 3X bonus categories.<\/div>\n\n\n- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/li>
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases<\/li>
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9\/30\/27.<\/li>
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.<\/li>
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open<\/li>
- Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.<\/li>
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.<\/li>
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.<\/li>
- Member FDIC<\/li><\/ul><\/body><\/html>\n<\/div>
- \r\n
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year<\/li>\r\n
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
- Use Airbnb Gift Cards.\u00a0<\/strong>If you don't have any of the cards above, you can use a card that earns bonus points at office supply stores<\/a> to buy Airbnb gift cards to use for your next booking. For instance, the <\/b>Ink Business Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>) earns 5X Ultimate Rewards<\/a> points (or 5% cash back) per dollar on the first $25k spent annually on these purchases.<\/li>\n
- Strict:<\/strong> Free cancellation for 48 hours after booking, provided the cancellation is at least 28 days before check-in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Moderate:<\/strong> Free cancellation up to five days before check-in.<\/li>\n
- Take care of the property.<\/strong> This one should be common sense, but you\u2019d be surprised at how many horror stories Airbnb hosts can share about guests breaking furniture, leaving stains, and even stealing items from the home.<\/li>\n
- <\/b>Washer\/dryer.<\/b> Most hotels charge dearly for laundry services, which is another way an Airbnb can help you save costs. However, you can't filter by whether the washer and dryer are in-unit or in-building, so be sure to verify with your host so you know what to expect.<\/li>\n
- Always book with Superhosts (with a few exceptions)<\/a><\/li>
- Using gift cards on Airbnb<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Always read the reviews<\/a><\/li>
- Airbnb-specific search criteria<\/a><\/li>
![\"Airbnb](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-15.45.09-900x120.png\")
![\"Airbnb](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-15.32.27-scaled.png\")
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