Things to check before you book with Airbnb to ensure you don’t waste your money

Airbnb provides a platform through which you can conveniently book private accommodation, making travel more affordable. However, to make sure your get the best and avoid regrets or wasting your money, here are some things that you should check before booking with Airbnb:

Cancellation policy

Many people do not read the fine print when booking with Airbnb, they are only interested in quick and affordable accommodation, forgetting that there are some details which need to be understood as they carry a lot of weight. You need to know what procedures that are in place if for any reason you need to cancel. Read the terms and conditions to avoid losing a large amount of money when you cancel a booking after the recommended period. Familiarising yourself with the cancellation policy will save you time, money and disappointment. Some hosts may be strict and will not compromise when you have violated the policy.

Reviews and ratings

With so many options to choose from, it is hard to know which booking will be right for you, after all, photos can often be deceiving. If you want to gauge the reputation of a host, checking out the reviews and ratings can give you a clearer picture. Read through the threads of reviews and get an idea of how the host you want to engage is rated by those who have used their services in the past or very recently.

If you do not have time to read through all the reviews and comments, you can use the star rating. Any host with a four star rating and above is worth exploring, read through the comments or reviews and have an understanding of what the previous customers have said on the services and facilities offered by the host.

They need to score highly on accuracy, cleanliness, check-in and out convenience, location and communication. Sometimes you may find it difficult to find a four star or above rated host where you are looking for accommodations. In such a case, get what is available and read through the ratings. By doing this, you will be in a position to establish the reasons behind the negative comments, you can use such information to negotiate with your host as well as make demands for better services.

You also need to check on the neighborhood, ascertain that the location where you will be hosted meets your minimum requirements. With these considerations, you are assured of getting something that will meet your needs and at the same time your chances of losing money are minimised.