4 Tips To Find The Best Airbnb Deals

If you’re traveling and looking to save some dollars, shaving off some costs off Airbnb is one way to go. Most people book Airbnbs rather than hotels for their trips these days because it provides household amenities and fosters a more wholesome experience. Here are some tips on finding the best Airbnb deals for your next trip.

As always, it’s best to book in advance. Unlike hotels, which may have hundreds of comparable rooms, each Airbnb is unique in its product offerings and service, so the best ones get snatched up pretty quickly. Best to snag that killer deal as early as you can! Hosts get to choose how far in advance they accept bookings and can offer availability up to two years ahead of time. On the other hand, most only allow travelers to make reservations six months to a year in advance.

Okay, say you’ve found an Airbnb that ticks all your boxes; it’s best not to book immediately. There’s always another with similar offerings for one Airbnb but at a better price deal. Since the host sets the rates, they can vary significantly from great bargains to outrageously overpriced. Remember that rental costs do not necessarily correlate to property quality, so compare multiple listings by closely examining photos, reading reviews, and comparing all-in costs within your range to get the most bang for your buck.

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Check the reviews from other guests, just as you would before reserving a hotel, restaurant, or any other service provider. If you receive a negative review, think about what prompted the guest to write it and whether or not those circumstances apply to you. A new listing may not have many (or any) reviews, but if the host has many listings, you can look at their reviews.

Lastly, don’t forget to check cancellation policies before booking for an Airbnb. Cancellation policies on Airbnb vary as much as rates, from “flexible” policies that allow cancellations until 14 days before arrival with little or no penalty to “strict” guidelines that may only grant a 50% refund after 48 hours of booking. So before finalizing your reservation, you should always read the fine print.