Get The Cheap Airbnb Of Your Dreams!
Airbnb is a popular online booking platform that allowed people and businesses to rent out their properties to travelers. It is a great way to save money on accommodation when you travel, but did you know that there are a number of hacks that you can use to get an even better deal? There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to go about finding a cheap Airbnb. In this article, we will discuss some of the most effective Airbnb hacks, so that you can save money (and headaches) on your next trip.
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Our Favorite Airbnb Hacks:
1. Ask the Host for a discount
You can often get a discount by reaching out to the host directly. Many hosts are willing to negotiate on price, especially for longer stays, last minute bookings, or if it is a newly listed property.
2. Use a reverse image search to find the direct booking site
Airbnb charges a service fee for finding you the property you end up staying at. For a decent discount, see if the property is listed on a direct booking site. The best way to do this is explained in our article on our favorite Airbnb hack.
3. If you can’t get a cheap Airbnb, look on other platforms
Check other platforms to get the best deal possible. We’ve found the best deals on Booking.com so far, but it’s worth looking on all platforms!
4. Book a longer stay, get a cheaper Airbnb
Most Airbnbs have weekly and monthly discounts. If they don’t, consider negotiated with the host for a discounted rate. Tons of Digital Nomads, and “Slomads” often take advantage of this.
5. Find a discounted Airbnb gift card.
You can find discounted Airbnb gift cards online and through credit card rewards programs. For example, if you get a 5% cashback at Amazon or grocery stores with a credit card like Discover, you can buy an Airbnb gift card (often online) and immediately get a 5% discount.
6. Check the listing’s amenities.
You can save money on other travel costs by taking advantage of the amenities that are offered by the Airbnb. For example, if the Airbnb has a kitchen, you can save money by cooking some of your own meals instead of eating out. If there is a washer and/or dryer, you can save money by doing your own laundry instead of going to a laundromat. You can filter on properties with kitchens and washers, as well as other amenities.
7. Ask for early check out or late check-in to save money on luggage storage.
Many hosts are willing to accommodate early check-in or late check-our requests. If you do need to use luggage storage, Bounce is a popular and affordable option that offers a variety of locations.
8. Use the right credit card.
If you have a credit card that offers travel rewards, be sure to use it when you book your Airbnb stay. This can save you money on the overall cost of your trip. Examples of this are the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 2x points on travel, (including Airbnb) and the Capital One Venture X offers 2x points on everything, including Airbnb.
9. Thoroughly check property’s location
If the property is far away from activities then you’ll be paying more for transportation. If you know where you want to go and what you want to do, you can start by booking those activities. Then, you can look for an Airbnb that is close to those locations. This will save money and stress during your vacation.
10. Search for cheap Airbnbs on weekdays
Airbnb and hotel prices tend to be lower on weekdays than on weekends. If you are flexible with your travel dates, you can save a lot of money by booking on weekdays.
11. Book far in advance (or last minute)
Plan your trip strategically by booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible to secure lower rates. You could also wait until a day or two before the booking dates if you’re comfortable with the risk, as hosts might lower prices to fill up remaining dates.
12. Click “Reserve” to get the true price of the Airbnb
You might think you found a cheap Airbnb, but what you initially see is almost never the final price. You will need to click “Reserve” to see the full price, including taxes and fees.
13. Use the Total Price feature to see the total cost of the stay minus taxes
This feature shows you the total price of your stay, including fees but not taxes. This gives you a broader overview of how much you’ll pay for accommodations on your vacation.
14. Use incognito mode when searching for cheap Airbnbs
While signed out of Airbnb, use incognito mode to search for your accommodations. There have been reports that Airbnb uses dynamic pricing software to track your interest in a property and raise the price accordingly. To use incognito mode, open a new window in your browser and click on the “private” or “incognito” tab.
15. Take advantage of Airbnb rooms
Airbnb is promoting and facilitating listings of private rooms. Airbnb Rooms are private rooms in a host’s home that are rented out to guests. These are a great option for budget travelers, as they are typically much cheaper than entire homes or apartments.
16. Off-peak bookings gives you more cheap Airbnbs
Airbnb prices tend to be lower during the off-peak seasons, such as the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) and weekdays. If you are flexible with your travel dates, and you can still enjoy the destination, you can save a lot of money by booking during the off-peak seasons.
19. Be a good guest today, get a cheap Airbnb tomorrow
Be a good guest by following the house rules and respecting the host’s property. This will help you to get good reviews, which can give you an advantage when booking future Airbnbs.
18. Ask the host any questions before booking
It is always a good idea to ask the host any questions you have about the property before you book. This will help you to make sure that the property is a good fit for your party’s needs. Take what the host says with a grain of salt, as they are obviously biased.
19. Book larger, cheap Airbnbs with a group
If you are traveling with a group, you can save money by booking a single, larger Airbnb. Larger Airbnbs typically have more bedrooms and bathrooms, which can save you money on the nightly rate.
20. Save the host’s contact information after staying
After you stay in an accommodation, save the host’s phone number. Then, if you ever go back to that location, you can reach out to them directly and ask for discount if you pay in cash or use their direct booking platform.
21. Book cancellable, cheap Airbnbs
If you are unsure about your travel plans, it’s a good idea to book a cancellable Airbnb. This will give you the flexibility to cancel your booking if your plans change. To find cancellable Airbnbs, use the “Cancellable” checkbox filter when you are searching for properties.
21. Flexible dates/locations = a cheap Airbnb
If you are flexible with your travel dates and locations, you can often find better deals on Airbnb. For example, if you are willing to travel during the off-peak seasons or on weekdays, you can often find significant discounts. You can use the +- feature when setting your dates on Airbnb.
22. Take photos/videos of the property immediately after check-in
Make sure to take photos/videos of the Airbnb as soon as possible after check-in. Be sure to note if anything is broken or damaged in the video. This will help you to document the condition of the property and dispute any claims by the host, just in case.
23. Read the reviews!
The reviews are one of the most important factors to consider when booking an Airbnb. They tell you about the property’s location, amenities, cleanliness, and overall experience. An Airbnb can make or break your precious vacation, you don’t want to end up featured in this article!
Summary: Cheap Airbnbs and Affordable Travel!
By following these hacks to getting cheap Airbnbs, you can save a significant amount of money on your next trip. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today! These may take time, but with a little research, you can find many to save money on your next Airbnb stay.
Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
