Tuesday Tip: Hotels are So Last Year!

by Kevin Jackman

Hotels are So Last Year | Network 1 ConsultingEverybody knows traveling can be expensive, so cutting costs can be a major win! Airbnb connects people who are looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations. The Airbnb community is made up of all types of people, from spontaneous travelers to business professionals on the go. Hosts list and rent their unused spaces for affordable rates, and travelers check in.

In case you’re wondering, “Airbnb” is a derivation of the term “Air Mattress Bed & Breakfast.” And while air mattresses may conjure up images of relative poverty, Airbnb raised $1.5 billion in funds last year, which brought the value of the company to about $25.5 billion (Investopedia).

Can It Be Trusted?
Lodging in a stranger’s home for a suspiciously low price may spark some concerns. With that being said, Airbnb states that they do conduct background checks given the proper information. According to the company:

If we have enough information (usually at least the user’s first and last name plus date of birth) to identify a guest or host who lives in the United States, we check certain databases of public state and county criminal records, as well as state and national sex offender registries for criminal convictions and sex offender registrations. If we have enough information (usually at least the user’s first and last name plus date of birth) to identify a guest or host who lives outside the United States, we may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and to the extent available, obtain the local version of background or registered sex offender checks.

We also check the OFAC list (which includes terrorist designations) for all users that transact on the platform. Background checks are conducted for us by our approved background check providers.”

In addition, travelers can read reviews written by others who have stayed at a property, and hosts and guests may choose to exchange IDs prior to a stay.

Getting Started
1) Go to Airbnb.com/Download the App
Hotels are So Last Year | Network 1 Consulting | Airbnb app

2) Find the Right Property
Hotels are So Last Year | Network 1 Consulting | Airbnb app

3) Send Your Request: Be sure to contact your perspective host before booking and ask any questions that you have and to coordinate arrival/departure. Here are some typical questions to ask:

  • How is the Wi-Fi quality?
  • How far away is public transportation and how late does it run?
  • Will I have my own set of keys and can I lock my room?
  • Can I make coffee and use a bit of your milk and sugar?

How it Works
After submitting your request, your host has 24 hours to accept. If they don’t accept and 24 hours passes, the reservation is rejected and you pay nothing. Keep in mind that Airbnb charges a 6-12% fee on top of the room cost (Airbnb charges hosts 3% on their end as well). So when your host accepts your offer, you are then charged for your stay, including the fees. 

Leave Fair Feedback
A few days after your stay, Airbnb will ask you to leave feedback about your host. Always leave a review because it will help acquire new guests for great hosts, or help other travelers avoid the unpleasant ones. Please be fair and remember that this review is the perfect time to let your host know how they could have done even better.

Airbnb is in over 190 countries around the world, claiming over 600,000 listings. Follow these steps and you’ll be saving on your stays in no time!

 

Kevin Jackman | Network 1 ConsultingKevin Jackman

Growing up in Long Island, New York, Kevin ventured to the Florida Institute of Technology to begin his college career. While attending school, Kevin created and managed his own website that helped college students raise their GPAs and do better academically. Enthralled with technology, Kevin has found his home with the team at Network 1.

kjackman@network1consulting.com or 404.997.7654

Network 1 Consulting is an 19-year-oldIT Support company in Atlanta, GA. We become – or augment – the IT department for law firms and medical practices. Our IT experts can fix computers – but what our clients value most are the industry-specific best practices we bring to their firms. This is especially important with technology, along with regulations and cyber threats, changing so rapidly. We take a proactive approach to helping our clients use technology to gain and keep their competitive advantage.

Tony Rushin Headshot

Tony Rushin: In his role as VP of sales & marketing, he is responsible for hiring, managing and coaching the sales team and always staying on top of (and meeting) the needs of clients. Under his leadership, the company has steadily grown each year.

Network 1 designs, builds and supports the IT you need to run your business more securely, productively and successfully. Whether you want to outsource all of your IT needs to a reliable, responsive, service-oriented company, or need to supplement the work of your internal IT staff, we will carefully evaluate where you are now, discuss where you want to go and implement and support a plan to get you there with as little interruption as possible.

Leave a Comment





Related Posts