Offering friends/family discounts

[Shelby77]

Fellow hosts,

We are new to this and want to utilize Airbnb well and follow all compliance rules.  We want to offer free stays to our friends and family, but also want them to book through Airbnb to allow for the automated check-in instructions, guidebook, ect.

What do you all do that works best?  Thanks in advance!

[Emily487]

@Shelby77 That's so generous of you! You may want to do a test run first to see if it works before deciding. I tried to send my sister a "special offer" of $0.00 and it wouldn't go through (I'm guessing because AirBnB collects our local taxes and AirBnB takes slice). 

[Shelby77]

Thanks Emily, I think there's a small minimum around $10, which we are okay with.  🙂

[Jeff158]

@Shelby77  If its on the system airbnb wants its commission.

Friends send you an enquiry and you reply with a special offer of $10 pr night to cover electric, gas etc.

You could if you wished then do a refund after the friend has stayed, although $10 a night is reasonable to cover some overheads.

[Shelby77]

Thanks Jeff, we just wanted to make sure we were following all the rules and regulations for Airbnb, $10 is no problem at all.  

[Emily487]

@Shelby77  Your place looks awesome!