So you want to become an Airbnb Superhost? We started out as guests, and enjoyed it so much that we now are superhosts! We had good experience with staying at Airbnb’s in Europe, and met many interesting people. When we were looking for ways to make some extra money, we opened our own Airbnb.

Ours is very simple, one bedroom with a comfortable bed, but the house is an active family house, and we have a bunch of kids living at home, so the shared bath room is not always perfect. However much we try to clean it, it just doesn’t look like a Hilton bath room. Even with that, we still became Superhosts.

We have hosted for almost two years now and built a lot of experience. Met many wonderful people, have had mostly positive reviews, although once in a while, we get someone who just isn’t happy. Luckily it is not our only source of income, so it is no big deal, we shrug and move on to the next guest.

Here are our tips so YOU can become a superhost too!

1. Have at least ten bookings over the last calendar year.
2. Maintain a 50% review rate or higher. This is not something you have total control over, but our experience is that most people will leave a review. We always leave a review ourselves for our guests, so that they get a reminder from airbnb to write their own.
3. Do not cancel existing reservations. Airbnb requires 0 cancellations, with exceptions made for those that fall under their Extenuating Circumstances policy
4. Make sure your listing accurately describes your place. It is ok to not be perfect, it is ok to have shared bath rooms, as long as people know in advance what to expect. Perfection is overrated, but truthfulness isn’t.

5. Communicate! Airbnb requires a 90% response rate or higher. When people ask for information, or book, reply to them as soon as possible with clear and concise information.

6. Be gracious and helpful. Try to be available for early (or super late) check in. Or have a way for people to check in even if you are not physically available. A lockbox for the keys might be an easy solution.

7. Have a water boiler and some tea bags / instant coffee in the room. People like to have a hot drink, especially in the winter. Some fruit and/or chocolate does not hurt either.

   

8. On that note, have basic needs like shampoos and soap available.

9. Don’t kick yourself if you get a bad review. Most people expect a home environment and are seeking that out by booking an airbnb. Sometimes there are people who would have been better off staying in an hotel. It is all good.

10. Have fun and enjoy meeting new people!

What do you get if you reach this desirable Superhost status? One advantage is that you rate higher in their searching algorithm, so presumably would get more bookings. Another one, more desirable to us, is a $100 airbnb travel credit if you manage to be superhost for a whole year. Looking forward to using ours if we get it.

Airbnb has been a good experience for us, both staying in them and hosting. If you want to try out hosting your very own airbnb click here. It is a great source of relatively easy extra money. If you are not ready to host, but you would like to stay at an airbnb for the first time, click here for a $40 airbnb travel credit.

Happy travels and good luck getting to superhost before you know it! Let us know your experiences!