How to Hack Travel Accommodation Deals on Airbnb

But First, What is Airbnb?

Airbnb (AirBed & Breakfast) is an online P2P (peer-to-peer) marketplace that connects travelers with hosts offering homes, apartments, rooms, and other types of accommodation. The platform also offers experiences and services in many destinations.

Airbnb began in San Francisco in 2007, when Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia rented out space in their apartment to help pay the rent. The company has since grown into a global accommodation platform offering everything from private rooms and apartments to villas, cabins, and other unique stays.

Today, Airbnb is one of the major platforms travelers can use when searching for travel accommodation, particularly when they want alternatives to traditional hotels.

Why I Choose Airbnb for Travel Accommodation?

After many time using Airbnb in my trips, I found out a lot of advantages of using Airbnb for booking accommodation:

• Homestays on Airbnb usually offer a lower price compared to hotels. To elaborate, I compared the average nightly price on Airbnb and Booking.com in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. And the score is 1-0 in favor of Airbnb.
• By booking on Airbnb, users can have a special experience from the long list of varied accommodations. There are apartments which fully equipped with cooking tools, a dishwasher, and a washing machine. There are villas with an infinity pool. Or even a whole private island. All you can easily find on Airbnb.
• Some hosts even offer additional free services for guests’ experiences. For example, many local hosts will lead users around to discover the city they are in, or take guests to really good restaurants in the area. Additionally, they have free pocket wifi for guests. Even some are quite flexible with check-in and check-out times. They can be flexible with guests’ schedules.
• Airbnb is now offering local experiences and restaurants, all operated by the truly locals-at-heart. With reviews from other users, it’s not hard to enjoy the best experience in town.

I could say Airbnb is a useful travel accommodation platform when you want more variety than traditional hotels.

The Best Part: How to Get Airbnb Credit for Cheaper Deals

Airbnb sometimes offers referral credits, coupons, promotions, and other discounts, but these offers can vary by country, account, booking type, and promotion period. For example, Airbnb currently states that its guest referral program is available only to guests in selected countries, including China, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.

Therefore, don’t assume that an old referral code or a specific dollar amount will still work. Before booking, check your Airbnb account and the official promotion terms to see whether you qualify for a current Airbnb travel credit or discount.

If you receive a referral coupon, Airbnb says it can automatically appear at checkout when you make a qualifying first reservation. Referral credits also have eligibility requirements, expiration rules, and usage limits.

Airbnb deal tip: Promotions change frequently. Always check the final checkout price rather than relying on an advertised discount. A cheaper-looking nightly rate may become more expensive after service fees, cleaning fees, taxes, or other charges.

Airbnb currently displays the applicable price breakdown before you complete a reservation, so compare the final total, not just the nightly rate.

How to Find Cheap Travel Accommodation on Airbnb

Finding a good Airbnb deal isn’t only about finding the lowest nightly price. Location, fees, reviews, amenities, cancellation terms, and the final booking total can make a significant difference.

Here are some of the easiest ways to save:

1. Compare Flexible Dates

If your schedule allows it, check different check-in and check-out dates. A small change in your travel dates can sometimes produce a significantly different accommodation price.

2. Compare the Entire Stay

Don’t compare listings based only on the advertised nightly rate. Check the total price for your entire stay, including applicable fees and taxes.

3. Consider Longer Stays

Some Airbnb listings offer discounts for weekly or monthly stays. If you’re traveling for several days or more, check whether a longer booking provides better value.

4. Look Beyond Tourist Centers

Staying one neighborhood away from the main tourist area can sometimes give you more affordable travel accommodation while still keeping major attractions within easy reach.

5. Check the Reviews Carefully

A low price isn’t necessarily a good deal. Read recent reviews to check cleanliness, location, communication, noise, amenities, and whether the property matches its photos and description.

Then How to Book on Airbnb?

If you already use Booking.com or Agoda, booking on Airbnb is relatively straightforward. However, Airbnb’s interface, accommodation types, fees, and payment options differ from traditional hotel-booking platforms.

Step 1 – Create an Airbnb Account

Create an account through the official Airbnb website or app. If you have a valid referral offer, check whether the promotion appears in your account and whether you meet its eligibility requirements.

Step 2 – Search for Your Destination

After logging in with your account, type the destination that you are looking for a place in into the search box, and choose ‘Homes’. On the other hand, choose ‘Experiences’ if you are figuring out an activity to do in the area.

Step 3 – Filter Your Taste

A list of different hosts will show on the screen for your choice. However, to find the most suitable place for your preferences, you should use the filter on the left side, including:

• Check-in and check-out dates
• The number of guests. In other words, how many people in your group will stay
• Price range: the price that you are willing to pay for a night
• Home type: what kind of travel accommodation you want to stay in
• Instant booking: if you don’t want to wait for the host’s approval
• Superhost, who is qualified for Airbnb requirements such as good reviews from guests, a very small number of cancellations received, etc.
• And more options in the filter to better match your preferences
• You can also use the map on the right side to see the location or the area that you want to stay in.

When you click on the ‘Terms, Privacy, Currency & More’ box on the bottom right side, you will be able to see Airbnb’s info and choose your preferred language and currency used on the platform.

Step 4 – Check the Listing Carefully

After choosing a potential travel accommodation, don’t book immediately.

First, check:

• Recent guest reviews
• Overall rating
• Location
• House rules
• Check-in and check-out requirements
• Cancellation policy
• Available amenities
• Additional fees
• Final booking price
• Host profile
• Recent guest experiences

Sometimes you’ll find a rare find with a good price, excellent reviews, and a convenient location. However, these properties can book quickly.

Plus, you should skim the reviews to know more about the listing and to further see if other guests enjoyed the experiences that you are looking for.

Finally, you should check the host profile to see how guests reviewed he/her. It’s good to know how the hosts interact with and treat their guests. Also, to avoid scams or a bad experience.

Don’t Forget the Final Airbnb Price

One of the most important Airbnb booking tips is to look beyond the nightly price.

Airbnb charges service fees, and the applicable fee can vary depending on the reservation and fee structure. The guest service fee is shown in the price breakdown before booking. For this reason, compare properties using the final total price for your stay. For example, a listing advertised at a low nightly rate may become less attractive after additional fees. Another property with a slightly higher nightly rate may offer better overall value.

Think about the total cost, not just the headline price.

Payment on Airbnb

Airbnb accepts several payment methods, depending on your country or region. These can include major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and other locally available payment methods. Payment options vary by location, so check the payment methods available to you during checkout.

Airbnb also allows certain combinations of travel credit, coupons, or gift cards with another payment method when applicable.

Important: Airbnb advises travelers to keep payments on the platform. Offline or cash payments can violate Airbnb’s terms and may increase the risk of fraud.

A Note Before Using Airbnb

• Always book and pay through Airbnb to keep the transaction within the platform’s protection and support systems.
• Read the listing description, house rules, cancellation policy, and recent reviews before booking.
• Check the final price before confirming your reservation.
• Don’t assume an old referral code or discount still works. Airbnb promotions and eligibility can change.
• If you have questions about a reservation, use Airbnb’s official Help Center or customer support.

How to Get the Best Airbnb Deals: My Quick Checklist

Before booking your next Airbnb accommodation, check these five things:

✓ Compare flexible dates
✓ Check the total price
✓ Look for weekly or monthly discounts
✓ Read recent reviews
✓ Compare location, amenities, and cancellation policies

The cheapest Airbnb isn’t always the best deal. The best travel accommodation gives you the right balance of price, location, comfort, and experience.

Final Thoughts on Finding Airbnb Travel Accommodation Deals

Airbnb can be a great option when you’re looking for affordable travel accommodation, unique stays, or a more local travel experience. The key is to compare the total price, check recent reviews, understand the booking terms, and look for legitimate promotions available to your account.

I hope these Airbnb booking tips help you find a better deal on your next trip. Enjoy traveling, and happy hunting for your perfect stay!